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News and articles about BN and the wonderful world of Naturism
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Location, location, er, location...

We need your help!
If you know of any venues that would be perfect for a Naked Heart Walk or Great British Skinny Dip in your area which we could use to raise funds and awareness of our charity partner, British Heart Foundation, then please let us know! Members can post their ideas and suggestions on the forum (log in required).
The ideal spot for a walk would be a house and gardens or somewhere unique with a good amount of outside space for a walk between 2km and 6km. For the skinny dips it's any pool, lido or beach that could be a good spot and open to us approaching them.
Thank you for your help! 
We're also looking to boost the BN/BHF team - if you'd like to come to the next (Zoom) meeting without commitment and find out what we're up to and the tasks that need to be done, please let us know.
 

Support our advertisers!

Anyone who uses the internet regularly will know that you can't get away from people and companies trying to sell you things. There are some sites that feel like 99% advertising and 1% actual content. 
We also feature advertisements (although amongst some great content...) across the range of BN platforms but we want to encourage you to check them out. Advertising space is taken by Naturists for Naturists. Many are holiday resorts whose owners and managers had a torrid time during the pandemic with empty hotels, campgrounds and swimming pools.
Our friends will really appreciate you clicking on their adverts on this site and visiting their websites. We know they are all ready, willing and able to handle your enquiries about the holidays you may take in the future. 
Thanks to all of them for the financial support they give us which helps us in the furtherance of Naturism in the UK. 
If you are a potential advertiser, here are the details of how to advertise. 
 
Photo by Tânia Mousinho on Unsplash

Nudity, Eating and Disco – What Could be Better?

Join BN and the North West Outreach Group for a Naked Dine and Disco on 15th October at the charming Tithe Barn, a mid-18th Century house in Melling, Liverpool! For a mere £17.50 per person, you’ll feast on gourmet pie and peas and dance to the music of the fantastic “Harlequin Disco.”
Keen to build on its growing success, and a desire for members to keep in touch and socialise through the cooler months, The North and West Naturist Outreach Group are hosting a Naked Dine and Disco. 
Many attendees plan to make a weekend of it, with the opportunity of staying over at nearby Liverpool Sun and Air Society, who are providing food, including breakfasts throughout the weekend at very reasonable rates, and entertainment on the Friday evening. 
Book your tickets here!

What people are saying about BN

We're making great progress for Naturism and providing a wide range of services to Naturists - we're definitely enjoying goodtimes ... as are our members - here's what they have to say!
Become a member - or renew your membership - click here
The friendliness of everyone I've spoken to has been a major plus. I've made lifelong friends all around the country
The BN Magazine is very impressive
People are helpful if you need information
How quick my membership came was great, and I can use my membership card at a Naturist camp site as proof of ID. Brilliant!
I have really enjoyed the Zoom dances and Naked Fitness classes. I am very pleased, keep up the good work ... I'm enjoying the membership!
The general warmth and enthusiasm of members is wonderful. Also as someone who is new to Naturism and quite self conscious it is very nice to just be online occasionally with people who ‘get it’.
Everyone is so friendly and helpful.  It's been brilliant. So glad I joined, after many years of worrying about "coming out" as a Naturist.
I am impressed by the commitment to advocacy and awareness of Naturism in Britain and beyond.
Even if I only get to one or two in person events a year, I intend to stay a member because I can see the huge value in the great work the Exec and many members/volunteers are doing to promote Naturism and ensure there is positive change - even around just making sure that we don't lose spaces and slots for naked swims.
It is so friendly, people from all different backgrounds together with a shared interest.
The community are very welcoming and open to conversation.
I have been so wonderfully surprised just what a friendly organisation it is ! The forums have provided an excellent platform, where I have been able to reach out and meet so many like-minded people, make new friends, and, importantly, be able to keep up with news and find information so easily!
I’m grateful for the time and effort that all the volunteers that run BN put in. Thanks to all!
Easy to join and already booked Sunfolk at a significant discount.
BN has helped me to appreciate the range of Naturist places available in the UK, and how much more it is practised here than I had thought.
Really pleased you’re active in promoting and encouraging women to explore and feel ownership in a Naturist lifestyle. Great for equality and an understanding of naturism
Online events have been excellent including the Forum Live and I have done a couple of yoga sessions which I have really enjoyed. Also I have had my first trips to a Naturist campsite this summer because I joined BN - Sunfolk and also The Naturist Foundation. Both fabulous experiences.
I knew of the existence of BN and eventually decided to join to satisfy my curiosity about the organisation. Personally I’m very glad I did and don’t in any way regret paying my membership. I had no idea of how much support there is from the legal department, or of its existence. What a wonderful use of membership fees to support sticking up for us and supporting something that many non-Naturists think is illegal!
I appreciate the opportunity to comment if I want to on the BN surveys
The genuine friendliness of so many people I've chatted with.  I am totally comfortable being a member of BN. The annual subscription is worth every penny.
BN has exceeded expectations—information about events and meetings new members and making friends is brilliant
A more professional and efficient approach than I imagined it to be.
Great magazine packed with great info
I received a discount on entry to a Naturist resort in Spain because I was a BN member
Quality of live national events, fantastic. Response time from BN Head Office - very efficient
Sunfolk! Absolute gem of a place, so welcoming to me and the newbie friends I brought along
I am very satisfied being a member of BN and feel that I can learn a lot on how to promote Naturism in my own country, Denmark, and how to fulfil expectations from Danish members
BN is a friendly place to be and everyone gives great advice
The speed and efficiency of the joining process was great, and the website
Very good website, easy to navigate.
Excellent quarterly magazine

The Forum Live - interviewing the Freewilders

BN members and other Naturists eagerly followed the progress of the Freewilders - Colin, Sadie, Hannah and Neil - as they undertook a 1000 mile naked charity bike ride across the UK this summer, raising awareness and funds for Rewilding Britain and Mind. Sadie and Colin cycled from John O'Groats to Lands End with Hannah and Neil going the opposite way.
The rides attracted a great deal of media attention and much reaction from the public, both positive and negative.
We’ll hear all about it on Monday 10th October. Join the session on the night on the BN events website.

Want to show someone what BN's all about? Use our guide...

Our popular Guide to Naturism is a comprehensive booklet that contains everything anyone needs to know about Naturism. Use it to persuade your friends to join BN, your colleagues to give social nudity a try, or your local leisure centre to host a skinny dip.
Order copies - for free! - from the BN shop.
It’s also available as an online booklet, making it dead easy to send it to anyone you like! Got someone in mind? Ok, here's the link:
https://shop.bn.org.uk/pages/guide-to-naturism 
 

 
 

Southampton Swim re-starts...

We are pleased to confirm that the British Naturism-run Oaklands Swim in Southampton will start again on Saturday 15th October  2022 at 7:30 - 9:30pm
No need to book - pay on the door, but please bring ID. The cost is £7 - cash only.
Find details of the venue here and for any queries, please contact alana.mackenzie@bn.org.uk

The Forum Live - Ask the Executive

Postponed from 19 September, the quarterly Ask the Executive session will now take place next Monday, 3 October at 7:30pm.
It's a chance for members to meet and ask questions of British Naturism's Executive Committee. and is open to all British Naturism members and is expected to last an hour. Questions for the Directors and Executive Committee members on any relevant subject will be welcome. To help us manage the session and to provide the best possible answers we would welcome questions in advance, and we will take these first. Subject to time constraints we will take questions on the night as well. 
Taking place the day after the BN AGM, it will also offer the chance for a continuation of any discussions curtailed owing to time pressures during the AGM and an opportunity for discussion/debrief of the main points of that meeting.
If you have a question, please send it to headoffice@bn.org.uk
Join the session here
  
Photo by Marius Oprea on Unsplash 

The BN AGM - don't forget to register and to vote!

The British Naturism Annual General Meeting takes place this coming Sunday, 2 October. It will be held on Zoom and so it's easy for everyone to attend. 
Find the details including how to register over on our events website (log in required)
All members are eligible to vote on the various motions, including proposed changes to membership fees.
Find out how to do that and record your choices on the BN members' forum (log in required)

Hole Park - Naked Heart Walk

By Philip Baker
The first Naked Heart Walk was perhaps a bigger enterprise than my small team had expected, but we and Hannah from British Heart Foundation (BHF) achieved an astounding success. For 2022 we wanted something nearer home, that would allow us an afternoon event – many had travelled quite long distances last year – and would provide a way to get everyone together after the main event. Hole Park, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Weald (along with Scotney Castle that we visited in July), fitted the bill perfectly.
I had been to Hole Park a few times over the last twenty years and I when I was there I always wished to be naked, but I wrote without any expectations. Surprisingly they were very receptive expressing the idea of inclusion no matter our beliefs. I just discovered that this is a fundamental value of the Historic Houses Association, of which Hole Park is a member and its owner the Chairman.
That many of their cafe staff are under 18’s and would require parental consent to be exposed to naked visitors was not a barrier – there just would be no staff on the day and we were left to our own devices.
I was delighted when we were given a dedicated car park and so able to leave our clothes in our cars, saving us managing a bag drop and changing area. Catering could also be provided and it seemed entirely in keeping that we had afternoon tea.
Thirty one people bought tickets and raised over £4,500. Kent BHF sent us a raffle prize, so at a couple of days notice two members of the team amassed another dozen prizes and made over £100.
Luckily the sun came out as the walk was formally started as our wet weather plan would probably have been to squeeze into the historic ice house in the woods. This is a listed 18th century building just 11 feet in diameter! Ice scraped from the ponds a few yards away would last many months if packed well.
The 2 km walk passed by sights such as a tree trunk carved with climbing bears and a towering Wellingtonia. There are many ancient trees in the grounds, to be seen on the Woodland Trusts Ancient Tree Inventory, including a tree I had not heard of – the bird cherry - which is relatively rare in southern England. It was thought to ward off the plague and the black berries were used to dye wool and the bark to colour fishing nets.
The abiding image of the day was of thirty naked people enjoying scones and cream in the picturesque Vinery and from the comments we know this was the highlight.
Last year I said never again. This year I am looking forward to finding somewhere new to do it all over again. Thanks to all who volunteered and to the BHF and Hole Park for making it possible.

Did you get today's ezine?

Yes, I know a lot of stuff lands in our email inboxes every day, and sometimes it can feel like we’re getting “too much information.” But one email all Naturists should consider welcoming is the weekly newsletter, also known as the “ezine.” Anyone can sign up - and it's free!
It’s a handy way to be up to date with the week’s national naturist news and get info on upcoming events – all in a condensed form with easy-to-use links to articles and booking sites. Just the thing for those suffering from FOMO (that's Fear of Missing Out!)
Signing up is easy. Simply head this way and indicate your newsletter preferences. Want to see what we've been e-zine-ing about? Check out ALL past British Naturism newsletters (including today's!)
 

The Forum Live - Women in Focus

There's an EC meeting next Monday night - it's usually a Thursday but we're meeting earlier because of the BN AGM the following Sunday. I'm unavailable, therefore, but BN's Women in Naturism co-ordinator, Helen Berriman will host a session.
Helen says:
'The forum on Monday is women in focus.  We will be speaking to women that have already contributed and we'll be encouraging others to take part in the future.  We will discuss issues that women face in Naturism.'
Join the session on the night over on the BN events website 

Press release from British Naturism: Wirral Naturist Club announce a women-only, clothes-optional Great British Skinny Dip!

This year, thousands of people across the UK have taken the plunge and skinny-dipped, discovering the exhilaration of being naked while raising funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). And the fun continues with a special women-only event in Chester!
Wirral Naturist Club members have enjoyed costume-free swims since 1976 and are keen to spread the word. Knowing that women can be reluctant to strip off, the club is inviting women to a Great British Skinny Dip on Saturday, 29 October, at Brio Leisure, Northgate Arena, Chester.
What’s more - to encourage people to come and see what it’s all about, the session will be clothing-optional so swimmers can keep their swimsuit or bikini on if they prefer. Though we are sure it won’t be long before they decide to join in…)
This is a fantastic opportunity for existing women Naturists – and those who would like to experience naked swimming - to come along … and bring their friends.
 
Doors open at 6:00pm, with pool and sauna available from 6:15-8:00 pm. Tickets are £10 per person. Bring a friend and they’ll get in for only £5.
 
The event is part of The Great British Skinny Dip, a campaign by British Naturism (BN) aimed at raising funds for the BHF, and:
Promoting greater understanding of Naturism and social nudity  Encouraging acceptance and participation in Naturism Improving facilities and opportunities for Naturism Promoting body confidence and well-being  
Chris Morrant, Wirral Naturist Club spokesman, said:
‘Wirral Naturist Club members have been enjoying the sense of freedom, self-confidence and fun our weekly nude swims offer for nearly 50 years. We are excited about hosting this special event and hope that more women will experience that same sense of enjoyment in the safe and non-judgemental environment that Naturism provides. We look forward to welcoming you all and hope that you may become regulars!’
 
Andrew Welch, National spokesman for British Naturism, said:
‘Interest in Naturism in the UK is growing like never before, with many people better understanding the health and well-being benefits of going without clothes. As it happens, women report a greater life-changing experience than men, finding that their fears about being judged, feeling vulnerable or not being good enough completely fade. Swimming naked is one of the most exhilarating, life-affirming things you can do and always better in the company of like-minded people.’
 
Annie Blanchard, Fundraising Manager at the BHF said:
‘We are thrilled to be working in partnership with British Naturism and we will be encouraging our fundraisers all over the UK to take part in this exciting, if unusual, opportunity to raise money for our cause.
For more than 60 years, the public’s generosity has funded BHF research that has turned ideas that once seemed like 'science fiction' into treatments and cures that save lives every day. But millions of people are still waiting for the next breakthrough.
It is only with donations from the public that we can keep our research going and discover the treatments and cures of the future.’
 
Please reserve your place at http://www.wirralnats.org.uk/women.html
 
We have people willing to be interviewed and stock photos for media use.
 
Media attendance is possible, with advance notice please.
 
Contacts:
Wirral Naturist Club
Carol Gardner carol.wnc@hotmail.com
 
British Naturism
Andrew Welch andrew.welch@bn.org.uk; 07774 955138
 
British Heart Foundation
Annie Blanchard blancharda@bhf.org.uk; 07977 351 746
 
Useful addresses
Wirral Naturist Club - wirralnats.org.uk
British Naturism - bn.org.uk; goodtimes.bn.org.uk
The Great British Skinny Dip - greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk
British Naturism’s Women in Naturism campaign - bn.org.uk/campaigning/womeninnaturism/
British Heart Foundation - bhf.org.uk

From the Boardroom - a round up of activity by BN's Management Team

Our regular update on the work of British Naturism’s management team over the last quarter.
 
Arrivals and departures
We were sorry to learn that Maz Wallace had decided to step down from the post of Equality and Diversity officer for personal reasons, but are pleased to announce the appointment of Meleasha Carbado as our new Equality and Diversity officer.
We were very pleased to welcome Ian Munt to his new role as national sports officer. Ian attended a Zoom meeting of the Executive Committee (EC) in May.
 
Values Statement
Since the last report British Naturism has adopted its Values Statement. This is available as a download from the BN website. The statement affirms that Naturism is a normal, legal and non-shameful lifestyle that promotes good health and well-being, and BN’s support for the safe practice of Naturism in families and throughout the lifetimes of individuals. It stresses the organisation’s commitment to social inclusivity, self-respect and respect for each other, diversity and equal opportunity and sustainability. It also highlights how British Naturism values the work of its volunteers, and its working relationships with others.
 
Safeguarding Policy
British Naturism has been working with an expert consultant to update the safeguarding policy, and the new edition was adopted by the EC at the end of July. This key policy deals with how we look after children and vulnerable adults. The new document covers broadly the same ground as the previous edition, although it has been decided to divide it into two, one covering children, the other vulnerable adults. The safeguarding policy should be given effect at all BN clubs and events. Guidelines are available from head office for those organising events.
 
Subscriptions
There is no hiding the fact that the question of membership subscriptions, which form the lion’s share of BN’s income, has been high among the management team’s and the Executive Committee’s concerns in the last few months. Inflation is rising and forecast to reach 13% this year, and this means increased costs for BN, like everyone else. It was not sustainable to continue the present level of activity without raising fees to at least go some way towards matching inflation, and there was little appetite among the EC for the sorts of reductions in activities that would otherwise be needed. A motion with the AGM papers, proposes increases in fees averaging 8% - which is below the expected rate of inflation.
An innovation proposed alongside the subscriptions motion is the creation of two new membership tiers. During informal discussions it became clear that some members who are in a position to do so would be content to pay more for their annual membership. We propose to invite such members to become patrons or benefactors of the organisation by contributing a little more, a gesture that will be recognised in a variety of ways. This will help us keep fee increases in the ordinary tier to a minimum and enhance BN’s ability to work to promote and protect Naturism.
 
Opinion Poll
BN commissioned IPSOS-MORI to conduct a survey on attitudes towards Naturism. At the time of going to press the results have just been delivered and are being analysed. Whilst it is too soon to offer a detailed report, we can say that they appear to provide some interesting and positive news for us as Naturists.
 
British Naturism: Sunfolk
British Naturism has a special responsibility towards Sunfolk, a site it acquired from its previous custodians at the beginning of 2020. It has been used as a venue by Naturists for more than 90 years. Whilst the site has some great spaces and facilities already in place, investment is required in other areas to create the modern facilities visitors will expect in years to come.
The good news that planning permission had been granted for the redevelopment project we propose means that we are ready to instruct builders, architects and others to commence the work. To facilitate this, Sunfolk will close early this season, at the beginning of September. We expect to see quite a transformation by the time the site reopens in Spring 2023.
This is without question the biggest single project undertaken by British Naturism and it will surprise nobody that it occupies an appreciable part of the management team’s time.
Funding the project, which carries a price tag of over half a million pounds, is of overriding concern. Much of the finance will be available from cash reserves, including a substantial part of the proceeds of the sale of the Northampton office, but we need also to raise cash from other sources.
Jon Williams, who is leading on the topic, has been keeping members up to date through BN magazine, on the members’ forum and on “Forum Live” events covering, among other things, how members can help us raise the money. A crowdfunding platform has been set up to allow those who are able to do so to donate money towards the project. Commercial loans are being investigated in case they are needed. And a system of “member loans” is being initiated, whereby members can lend the organisation between £500 and £10,000 for three or five years, at a 3% rate of interest. This should be a “win-win”, because the rate of interest is better than offered by the banks, and less than could be expected through a commercial loan. At the time of writing there has been considerable interest in this scheme, and we are consulting legal advisers as to its finer details.
 
A face-to-face meeting of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee currently meets once a month via Zoom, and the management team meets every two weeks on the same platform. We plan an annual physical meeting of the EC, which this year we propose should take place in November in Birmingham.

Q. When's the BN online quiz back? A: This week!

If you've not yet taken advantage of our terrific programme of online events then you are missing out on something special! It may be obvious to say it but to join in you don't have to go anywhere and you don't have to worry about what to wear!
Our Naked Fitness classes are open to all and you can pay as you go or buy a package to allow you access to more than one from a package of 10 to a whole year. It also unlocks videos of classes for you to download at a time of your choosing.
Come and enjoy group fitness, GroovX, fitsteps, yoga and mediation - most classes run more than once a week. 
Our Community events are open to members of British Naturism and other Naturist federations - and are free! Choose from The Forum Live, book club, coffee morning, parents' chat and the pub quiz, which returns this Friday!

Rest In Peace

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has set an example of dignity and respect from which we can all learn for over 70 years.  Our thoughts are with her family tonight.  Rest in peace.

Online naked ballet is back!

(I wonder if that is the first time ever in history that such a heading has been written?)
After a break for the summer, Sara's online naked ballet classes return for the Autumn on a Monday lunchtime. Who says we don't bring you variety? It's a super way to keep fit and to be part of our community. And like so many of our activities, once you've ditched the tutu, you'll never want to wear it again. 
Find out how to book your session here

GBSD - still active - and seeking feedback

As the days shorten, the number of skinny-dips shrinks. When you think about it, however, the fact that winter’s approaching shouldn’t affect the availability of naked swims because there are loads of potential indoor venues around the country. 
Have you enjoyed a Great British Skinny Dip this year? Did you organise one? BN members will know that in the Autumn issue of BN Magazine you’ll find a roundup of lots of the (many!) fun Naturist events we enjoyed over the past few months. We're now gathering reports for the next issue and so please if you've had a great time dipping, or hosting a dip let us know about it!
In the meantime, here's what's coming in the Great British Skinny Dip!
 
September 10
Great East Skinny Dip, Clacton on Sea
Wigton, Cumbria
 
September 11
Northampton Sun Group, Northampton
 
September 13
Shap Lido, Cumbria
 
September 17
Yaverland, Sandown, Isle of Wight
 
September 18
L’Ancresse Bay Pembroke, Guernsey
 
September 24
Mildenhall Swim and sauna, Bury St Edmunds
 
Swim with Oxnat - Didcot

September 25
North East Skinny Dip, Northumberland

 
October 1
Spectrum Swim, Birmingham (Also taking place every Saturday in October - and beyond...)

 
October 8 
Wigton, Cumbria

 
October 9
East Sussex Naturists, Seaford Also taking place every Sunday in October - and beyond...)

Northampton Sun Group, Northampton


Remember to keep checking the Great British Skinny Dip website. You’ll find everything you need to know about organising, promoting and joining in, including social media tools, risk assessment forms and a complete fundraising kit. Don’t forget to sign up for the GBSD newsletter, and follow us on social media.

The Forum Live - Inside the Naturist Club

Join me next Monday, 12 September as, once again, I invite representatives of a few UK Naturist clubs to come and tell us about club life and discuss the future.
We'll hear about club history, current situation, their facilities and the challenges facing them. Hopefully, we'll have a visual insight into each club by way of a slideshow or video.
Join the session here

Does Naturism help your mental health? Part Five

Here’s the fifth part of our article by BN member Sheila Maycock on Naturism and Mental Health.
Read the previous articles on this website - Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four
 
Who am I?
I am a Naturist. Four simple words, but what a plethora of meaning behind this, or indeed any statement about who I am. And Naturism is just one facet of our life that contributes to our psychological self-image or sense of self.
Am I who I am because of nature or nurture, because of the genes I have been dealt or the way in which I have been brought up and subsequently lived my life? For most of us, it’s generally a fascinating mix of inherited traits and learned behaviour - whether from the family of origin, peer groups, or media or education. I guess for the majority, a Naturist lifestyle falls into the latter category of learned behaviour, having seen others enjoying the many benefits of social nudity and embracing the benefits for ourselves.
Our self-image can be quite vulnerable. When trouble hits there are multiple challenges facing people who are trying to integrate a sense of self, and Naturists are not immune from those challenges. Were you part of a dysfunctional family, abandoned, adopted? Did your parents split up acrimoniously? Were you bullied, neglected, suffered or did you observe or experience domestic violence, bereavement or loss? Did you experience physical or emotional abuse or over critical parents? The list goes on.
A large part of my work as a Family Therapist involves overcoming the challenges facing young people when trying to integrate a sense of self from within fragmented families. When parents fall out, wage war, split up – even if it is in the best interest of the whole family – it has an effect on the family system for a very long time. This transition can be complicated when the separation is bitter, when parents experience mental health difficulties, or have the financial and emotional pressure of being single parents. I don’t dispute that any of these Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can be overcome, but research links ACEs to premature death and health disorders, including mental ill health. Such early difficulties can make it really tricky to move towards self-acceptance and garner the self-confidence to explore new ideas and approaches.
Melanie Klein (1882- 1960) wrote about ‘splitting’, which is our psychological capacity to identify and seek out what is good and to reject aspects that are trickier or more uncomfortable to deal with. An essential aspect of being mentally healthy is to integrate these aspects – the good and bad, working towards a healthy assimilation, where one can tolerate the dilemma – where we can hold in mind that sometimes one person may be distant and disinterested, and other times they can be loving and attentive. Thus one person can be both good and bad.
The outside world has a view of the Naturist community that can be rather split because of  ignorance, misinformation and an inability to integrate good and bad. What may be seen as good – a strong sense of community with like-minded people, admirable for embracing freedom and doing what is good for you and what is seen as bad – nudity and all that implies in society and culture, can be perceived as related to sexual activity, vulnerability or even abuse or perversion. The naturist community encourages an integration of these opposing views, detaching nudity from sex, enabling people to overcome pre-programmed fears and make informed choices about who they are in a safe environment of respect and mutual trust.
Much of our belief about who we are is a subconscious process, so on a day-to-day basis we tend to just act as who we are, without having to wake up each morning and think ‘What am I like?’ (That would be really tiring!). But figuring out who we really are and choosing who we prefer to be is a lifelong process. Are Naturists just people who are genetically predisposed to contemplation? Or have we had the opportunity for reflection and the development of a strong sense of self offered to us? In my experience Naturists have a healthy level of self-awareness, as a result of the thought and questioning that has gone into the decision to embrace a naturist lifestyle, finding your own sense of self and refusing to accept the version of you that may be expected by other people.
Who am I? I’m a Naturist and that is to be celebrated!
 
Sheila Maycock
MBACP
Accredited Therapist (and BN Member)
 
Image: Mark Bass

The Forum Live - ask the Executive - postponed

Once a quarter, we dedicate a Forum Live session where members meet and ask questions of British Naturism's Executive Committee. The next session will take place in a fortnight's time on Monday week, the 19 September at 7:30pm.
The event is open to all British Naturism members and is expected to last an hour. Questions for the Directors and Executive Committee members on any relevant subject will be welcome. To help us manage the session and to provide the best possible answers we would welcome questions in advance, and we will take these first. Subject to time constraints we will take questions on the night as well. 
If you have a question, please send it to headoffice@bn.org.uk
Join the session here
  
Photo by Marius Oprea on Unsplash 

The Journey to our NKD wedding 

‘If someone had told me I would be writing this article a couple years ago I would have thought they were pulling my leg. My partner Laura and I have never been traditional and like to think we are open minded, however organising a naked wedding for ourselves is a wholly unexpected experience,’ says Steven Sandilands. 
We have been trying to find the perfect time to get married for a decade now. Between health issues, lockdowns and all of life's other distractions it never seemed the right time. Neither of us have ever wanted a traditional wedding, and it took us a long time to find the environment that we would actually feel comfortable in. This started to change when we first discovered Naturism. I read
an article in The Guardian about Brighton beach and people using it without clothes on. I mentioned it in casual conversation and before either of us knew it we were planning a trip to our local nude beach - Ardeer, on the west coast of Scotland. That first visit was an amazing experience; the feel of the wind and sun on our skin stands out, and the people there were friendly and happy to converse. The word I would use to sum up the experience would be ‘fresh’. 
Having experienced it, we couldn’t wait to introduce our kids to the environment and explore all that family Naturism had to offer. Going nude around the house didn’t even warrant a comment from them, so we pushed the boat out and went to our first family Naturist swim. At an amazing family-friendly venue in Glasgow our kids and another four played together on floats in the pool having a great time, and with saunas and the like for the parents to take turns in, it was a great day for all, a truly safe environment. 
From there we only increased our involvement in family Naturism. Laura and I were regulars at the weekly BN family chat throughout the lockdowns—an amazing group of people and if you’ve not tried it, you should definitely go along. We even took a family Naturist minibreak on the island on Loch Lomond. Swimming in Loch Lomond with my family in brilliant sunshine surrounded by a gorgeous view was one of the highlights of the year, completely unforgettable. 
Once lockdowns had ended and we could enjoy bigger Naturist events and travel a bit further, we made the most of it. There is an amazing hidden gem near Dumfries called Be Natural B&B. The hosts are very friendly and provide a great escape with the kids. We’ve now been twice, for a great restful nights’ stay. 
A true highlight of our year is BN’s take-over of a hotel and water park for which we travel to England. There are hundreds of people chatting, making friends, enjoying the slides  and generally having a lot of fun. The kids were asking to go back before we even got home. BN’s family event at Liverpool Sun and Air club was the longest we have been in a Naturist environment and another friendly and fun experience. A great group of people forming a community and looking out for each other, inviting we newcomers in for a cuppa and really helping look after the children and making sure they were entertained. We got a true sense that we were genuinely welcome and made to feel at home. 
Having had all these amazing experiences, I wasn’t surprised to find out couples have renewed their vows or had joining ceremonies at BN events. One afternoon, half-joking, I asked Laura if she would want to get married at NKD, and to my surprise she said yes without hesitation. To my even greater surprise BN immediately agreed to accommodate the request, contacting the venue to ensure they were happy. I was shocked and delighted when the council registrars told me it wouldn’t be a problem for them either, and, just like that, we are now booked for a Naturist wedding. 
It did mean taking the big step of inviting all our friends to the wedding, many of whom did not know about our Naturism, nor had ever set foot in such an environment themselves. Responses were varied. Some are all for it and will be there, others couldn’t travel down from Scotland and a few said that it was not for them. One thing that did not vary was the support that everyone showed for us having the wedding in an environment that mattered to us. No judgement or uncertainty, the world kept spinning and not one negative response. While Naturism may not be for everyone, it truly does no harm to anyone and most people understand that. 
One question we do get asked is, ‘Why have a Naturist wedding?’. The answer is that our experiences of Naturism have been fresh, safe, restful, fun, welcoming and unforgettable. What better way to start the next chapter of our lives! The community makes the event and we can’t think of a more accepting, welcoming and family friendly event than a BN event. 
This article appears in the latest edition of BN233 our Autumn magazine. As you can see from the image - plans came together and the wedding took place! 
 

BN233 - Autumn 2022

The Autumn issue of our members' magazine is now out!
It’s full of news, information, listings and fully illustrated features and articles. 
 
Contents include: 
All the events you can look forward to  Skinny-dips, Nudefest and a heatwave mean BN is in the media spotlight again! Bursting with Activity: All the fun stuff BN members have been up to recently Naturism and Mental Health, Part 5: Who Am I? British Heart Foundation – a Naked Heart Walk in Cheshire and more Laura and Steven’s journey to their NKD wedding Happy anniversary to Sungrove Club and TANDO! In travel, we bring you more tantalising holidays to consider in Spain, The Netherlands and France BN233 will soon be landing on the doormats of members of British Naturism who can also access a downloadable digital copy now. There's even a topic open for you to discuss it with other members.
Our quarterly magazine is just one of the many benefits a BN membership provides. If you’re not a member yet, why not make today the day you join us? 

Events this weekend - and beyond!

It’s inevitable that the number of events will wane as the summer does the same and so this is the last weekly update of what’s coming that we’ll give you. Don’t worry - we’ll still bring you news of gatherings big and small… and don’t forget that the information on events (big and small, national and local, regular or one-off) can always be found via these links:
 
Events run by British Naturism - events.bn.org.uk
All other events (you can add your own!) - bn.org.uk/calendar
Online events - shop.bn.org.uk/pages/online-home
The Great British Skinny Dip - greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk

…and there are Naturist swims happening everywhere all the time - check out the calendar
 
By the way, you don’t have to wait for an event to be organised. Got an idea for a fab Naturist event? Know of a super venue? Tell us about it - there are plenty of resources available at British Naturism to help get events off the ground.
Here’s what you need to know…
Tickets are still available for the unique, naked Retro Gaming Night in Cambridge next week, 9 September.
Also, next week, on 6 September, following the successful Naked Heart Walk for British Heart Foundation in July, there’s a repeat visit to Cheshire’s beautiful Adlington Hall (pictured)
Wigton pool run their own Naturist event on the second Saturday of each month. The next one is on 10 September. It’s really important that we support venues who are putting on nude events - it’s what we’ve been working towards for years!
Check out this week’s blog for all the Great British Skinny Dips happening in September - plenty of beaches, plenty of (usually) non-Naturist venues. Let’s get out there and enjoy them!
 
Image: BN/Andrew Parker
 

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