About BN

Next Monday (6th June), I will have the pleasure of welcoming a panel of new BN volunteers to the Forum Live. As you will have already seen from this morning's other news story, it's Volunteers' Week, and so such a session is well-timed (on purpose, actually, as I am sure you guessed...) I'll be asking our panellists to talk about their roles and the work they are doing, why they volunteered, what they hope to achieve, and how the organisation and members can support them.  We'll also

Volunteers’ Week takes place from the 1 – 7 June every year.  It's an opportunity to recognise, thank and celebrate the contribution volunteers make across the UK. Volunteers’ Week 2022 is a time to say thanks.  During an exceptionally difficult couple of years, people from all walks of life around the UK have taken the time to volunteer and make a huge difference to their communities – just as they do every year.  This is a time for us to come together and thank all volunteers for their in

Nudestock welcomes all naturists this week for a full week of naked caping, stay the week, few days or just book a day pass. This lovely farm in Doncaster transforms into a naked family friendly camping week, which is in the heart of the Yorkshire and East Midlands region. To me it signals the start of the summer and is the warmup event for Nudefest in July. The chance to dust off our tents and camping gear after the winter, and meet up with friends, in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. A lai

Why not spend Saturday 4 June on an original Thames sailing barge? This is the ultimate Jubilee Weekend event! You’ll enjoy a relaxing, clothes-free buffet lunch followed by a 2-hour naked sail from Maldon in Essex, complete with a well-stocked bar. The £55 price includes lunch; drinks are extra. This event is BN member-only due to demand. More here: June 4 - Jubilee Weekend - Thames Sailing Barge – British Naturism (bn.org.uk). For those of you who’ll be in the Kent area the first wee

One issue of great importance to British Naturism – and Naturism more broadly – is how to attract more women. We’re all aware of the need to tackle thorny issues such as body positivity and the fear of being judged, that can dissuade women from joining - and enjoying - a clothes-free lifestyle. To get women talking about all this, Co-ordinator Helen Berriman has launched “Women in Focus.” This series of in-depth interviews delves into questions such as how women decide to get involved in Na

In next Monday's (30th May) The Forum Live session, we'll revisit the nationwide Dynamic Dunescape project, and hear once again from Julia Galbenu , from the National Trust who is the Engagement Officer for the Dynamic Dunescapes Project at Studland Bay.  She’ll bring us up to date with a presentation on how things are going and future plans. We also hope to bring in British Naturism volunteers who are working with the Dynamic Dunescapes team and learn more about how YOU can get involved. E

Nudestock welcomes all naturists next weekend for a full week of naked camping, stay the week, few days or just book a day pass. This lovely farm in Doncaster transforms into a naked family-friendly camping week, in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. To me it signals the start of the summer and is the warmup event for Nudefest in July. The chance to dust off our tents and camping gear after the winter, and meet up with friends.  BN’s Eastern region will also host their first Lido swim of the

Next Monday’s Forum Live features an opportunity to get to know Jon Williams, one of the Directors of British Naturism.  Jon has been vice-Chair of British Naturism for some two and a half years, during which time the Executive Committee has benefited from his skill in chairing its regular meetings. The wider membership will have seen him chairing the AGM too.  More recently he has masterminded the development of plans to develop British Naturism: Sunfolk and bring it up to the standard we are a

British Naturism’s Pétanque tournament on 29 April to 2 May drew 21 teams and was a resounding success, Sports Director Ian Munt reports! The tournament is a seven-game, all-inclusive snake with the best two teams progressing to the final. There were five games on the Saturday and two on Sunday, followed by the final. This year it was organised by Barrie and Glynn Widdowson and hosted by Blackthorns Sun Club. Play began under a beautiful sunny sky.  Competition was sometimes fraught -

Join me next Monday, 16 May as I present an overview of the process, the marketing techniques, the resources, the trends, and more relating to our continuous drive to bring more Naturists into British Naturism membership - and the services and initiatives we provide to keep everyone renewing for years to come! Over the last couple of years our numbers have been increasing at a quicker rate but it is important to keep growing for a variety of reasons. Importantly, you'll also learn how you c

Swimmers and supporters piled into a competition swimming pool in Watford on the evening of 7 May for the highly anticipated British Naturism National Swimming Gala, and what an event it was!  There were 76 competitors, from young children to seniors. Many have swum competitively but a show of hands suggested that more hadn’t. A glitch with the pool’s timing equipment meant that the judges monitoring each swim lane had to keep the timing. Here’s Mark Bass: “The volunteer timekeepers an

As part of the Great British Skinny Dip, we're delighted to bring you another opportunity to enjoy this fantastic Art Deco outdoor pool complex as nature intended! There are sun-bathing terraces, a large grass lawn and a café offering a wide range of refreshments Come and join us on the evening of Saturday 28th May. More details here   

Snap up the last few remaining rooms for  Scotland's biggest Naturist weekend, The Gathering - 13th to 16th May, at Waverley Castle, Melrose.  We are looking forward to meeting members old and new. There is a full weekend of entertainment and the return of our world-famous Burns in the Buff supper on the Saturday night and the fabulous Reely Jiggered Ceilidh band. There will be plenty of activities - and remember to bring your towel for the swimming pool and enjoying the sun in the rear garden.

As we move into the summer season there are many opportunities to attend events and activities and practise Naturism with the wider community. However, we know that such a thing is a daunting prospect for many and that going to a first event on your own can be intimidating.  In The Forum Live Debate this month we will discuss this problem and examine both sides of the coin.  First, we will consider what tips we might give to solo members on how to quickly integrate into the event so they ar

Come and see British Naturism at the NEC! Volunteer Expo Live 6th and 7th May 2022   Volunteer Expo Live is the UK's national volunteering show to celebrate the power of volunteering and community! The last two years have shown us how important togetherness, community and supporting each other has been.  And that’s exactly what British Naturism is about, so we’re taking the opportunity to attend Volunteer Expo at the NEC, Birmingham on the 6th and 7th May 2022. Volu

Join BN for an evening cruise along the Dorset coast on Sunday, 29 May. We'll cast off from Bournemouth Pier on the Dorset Belle at 6pm, and have approximately three hours on board to make the most of a great summer evening.  The bar will be open for us on board throughout the evening and there will be a buffet included in the ticket cost. Find all the details and book your ticket!

As May approaches, the naked calendar is filling up. From afternoon swims to a full week of camping, there should be something for everyone this coming month! See below for all the details. Our National Pétanque competition starts us off this weekend, at Blackthorns, Bedfordshire. Please ensure that you have confirmed your attendance prior to arrival. This weekend you will also find a walk in Oxfordshire, our Women Uncovered monthly online chat and an Open Weekend at Hillside Club near Macc

Although the weather remains stubbornly chilly, it’s time to start giving serious thought to how you - and your friends, family and colleagues - might want to take part in a Great British Skinny Dip (or more than one!). It’s not just about flinging yourself naked into a pool, lake, lido, sea or some other body of water. Of course, that’s a fabulous way to participate in the GBSD, and the more companions you bring with you, the merrier! We’d love to have huge turnouts at all the events.

Don't forget all the wonderful things you can get from the UK's national Naturist organisation ... there is plenty going on within our community, on- and off-line, including plenty of free content: Join in our online events - from yoga to a pub night, and interviews to fitness classes. There's something every day and 20 sessions every week! Check the live events we run and the calendar of regional events and swims Raise money for our national charity, British Heart Foundation

We are pleased to announce that Sheryn's popular fun fitness will return for a session dedicated to raising funds for the people of Ukraine. Sheryn's sessions started during the first lockdown and proved to be popular.  Many of you will also have enjoyed them live at some of our big events. The class will take place online at 5pm next Saturday, 30th April and will run for approx 40 minutes.  It is low impact with options for high impact for those who chose to step it up. Follow th

A few weeks ago, we had snow and log fires, this week sun and sunburn!  What beautiful weather we have had, fingers crossed it will last throughout our summer season. The calendar is filling up beautifully.  My problem is how to fit everything in!     Did you know that, unless stated otherwise, you can attend any event, no matter where you live?  Just check the registration details for the location or club, and, in most cases, you can just phone or email ahead and ask for an invite. Th

In next week’s The Forum Live (25 April) we will cover all things British Heart Foundation!  Regular readers will know that we have reinvigorated our relationship with this huge national charity and are working closely with them to raise funds via Naked Heart Walks and Great British Skinny Dips. Monday’s session will be a panel discussion and we will be pleased to welcome Rebecca Honey and Emily Lyle from British Heart Foundation who will explain their roles in our relationship and bring us

British Naturism had an awesome weekend at the Mind Body Spirit festival in London, talking about all the benefits of being naked. A lot of inspirational conversations with very cool people. Our assessment is that attendees are 80% female and very young and so it is a very suitable market place for us. Most attendees are residents of London looking for new things and so it is a receptive crowd. Thanks to everyone who came over to say hi...

This weekend as we eagerly await a visit from the Easter bunny, it also mean the start of the  Naturist season.  The BN calendar is starting to fill up and after a long two years of uncertainty, I’m happy to see that there is a great variety for everyone!  Though not just with our big events and weekends such as Nudefest, or the SANER regional weekend, The Gathering.  Lots of local members have started their own ideas and groups.  Recent forum posts and a Forum Live debate session have encourage

With communication to members, and those considering Naturism but not yet members, increasing and becoming even more important, British Naturism has appointed a new volunteer journalist, Dugie Eyton-Hughes. Dugie has been a professional journalist since 1996 and a BN member since 2013. During the COVID lockdowns, she began participating in BN’s online yoga classes and joining in the Forum Live. After hearing my pitch for volunteers one Monday evening on the Forum Live, she offered her servi