Do you remember that the long summer heat wave was followed by two days of thunderstorms and floods? Well, that was, by unlucky coincidence, when British Naturism (BN) in partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), had arranged the Naked Heart Walk in Essex.
However, it seems the nature of the good cause, raising money for BHF, made all the difference as the clouds parted and the sun came out for a dry warm evening on 18 August at the Secret Nuclear Bunker. 33 people took part, some having travelled many miles to get there, with a good balance of male and female. It was a gentle stroll rather than a head-down march, passing several curious structures for the indulgence of the BN official photographer. We all won a BHF medal for participation followed by entering the cavern itself for a worrying presentation on the rudimentary 1970s equipment used to detect radioactive fallout. Many stayed for an evening meal in the canteen used by the senior government officials of the day.
Organisers , Nigel and Janina Newman, said “This worthwhile event gave us another opportunity to talk about Naturism with our friends. Both our fathers died of heart attacks and we got sponsorship from Nigel’s badminton club and many others”.
Photo by Colin Brundle