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Silent auction raises thousands for British Heart Foundation

We're indebted to nude cruise operator Bare Necessities Tour and Travel for the incredibly generous donation of a cabin for two people on next February's Caribbean cruise Return to Bare-adise.
We were delighted to offer it as the prize for a silent auction at our recent Alton Towers event and even more delighted when Andrew and Amanda bid close to the value of the cabin ($7500).
It gets better. Andrew and Amanda said:
We got married on Tuesday 6th December and we saw the auction for the cruise and thought what a lovely honeymoon it would make for us. On that basis we decided that if we did not win the prize at the auction we would simply book the trip anyway. The British Heart Foundation is Amanda’s favourite charity as her father was one of the very early heart transplant patients and enjoyed quite a full life following the operation. With both of those factors in mind we decided to offer pretty much the full cost of the booking which is what we were prepared to pay as the money would go to BHF (A double bonus for us). So thank you so much for providing this opportunity.
Kat Whitmire from Bare Necessities said:
We’re so very happy the auction was such a success and very happy to have been a part of it!
Emily Lyle from British Heart Foundation said:
We are so grateful to Bare Necessities and to Andrew and Amanda for this incredible donation for our charity. Your generosity will enable us to fund more research into heart and circulatory diseases. 
Research we’ve funded has shown that technology developed using artificial intelligence can identify people who are potentially at high risk of a fatal heart attack at least five years before it strikes. Other cutting-edge research we fund explores using stem cell ‘patches’ to heal heart tissue. We fund research that aims to translate scientific findings from the laboratory into advances in human health in the form of new treatments that reach people in hospitals and homes across the UK. Our research brings hope to the 7.6 million people living with these conditions, thank you for giving them the best gift.
 

Photo-call: Powderham Castle

Regular readers may recall a photoshoot that took place at Surrey's Painshill Park (pictured) in advance of the first BN/BHF Naked Heart Walk in 2020. It gave us a great head start and no doubt contributed to the eventual success of the event - even if it did take longer to actually happen because of the pandemic!
We're going to do it again, and this time in advance of the Naked Heart Walk at Devon's Powderham Castle and we need a good mix of volunteers to bare all on what is likely to be a chilly Winter day, probably in January.
If you can help, or would like more information, please get in touch. Thanks!

A Spa Road Trip

In the Winter issue of BN Magazine readers will discover a large feature on European spas, where the default - unlike in this country - is nudity. Hurrah! Here is an extract, written by regular spa-ers, and BN members, Derek and Karen.
Our planned two-week holiday at Grottamiranda in Puglia, Italy was postponed from 2020 to 2021, and then again to 2022 owing to COVID restrictions, but, finally, we were able to visit this June. Having retired early at Easter, we decided that rather than flying, we would take advantage of not having to rush back to work and turn our holiday into a road trip, sightseeing and visiting some spas on the way down, and collecting some wine on the way home.
After a brief stop in Reims, we arrived in Switzerland for city breaks in Bern, Lucerne and Zurich (don’t miss the Lindt factory tour with unlimited chocolate tasting), all beautiful old towns to walk around. Bern has the great free outdoor textile Marzili Lido complex, which apparently has separate men’s and women’s sections for nude sunbathing, although we didn’t look for these, being a couple; and strong swimmers can brave the river Aare and float downstream round the city in the strong current. Close to Marzili we visited the Hammam & Spa Oktogon which gets its name from being built on the octagonal base of the City’s first gas boiler dating back to the 19th Century – it has a central pool with a 13 metre domed roof and galleries for rest areas in an Arabic style.
It has a curious set up from a Naturist perspective in that swimsuits are not allowed, but you are required to wear a hammam sheet in the steam room, pool and relaxation areas, though not in the areas for scrubbing, soaping or rasul, and in practice the sheets float up in the pool to reveal all anyway. The experience follows a numbered route that takes you through a traditional hammam ritual, starting with a herbal steam room to open the pores, then a room to scrub your skin with a Kese exfoliating glove; relaxation in the pool; a second, hotter, herbal steam room; a room to soap your body; and finishing by relaxing on hot stones. We paid extra for the treatment to follow this where you cover your body with the soothing mud, then relax in a steam bath, before showers above wash you clean. Massages are also available. Finally there is a rest area with free tea and water, plus a pricey delicatessen for light bites. Overall a very relaxing experience.
When we stayed in Lucerne we took a day trip via a boat across the lake to Weggis and then a cable car (expensive) to the top of Mount Rigi and the Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad. The spa is a stunning, modern architectural textile pool complex, with an outdoor infinity pool that has an amazing alpine vista, and a downstairs spa area, but unfortunately only the sauna is Naturist, not the steam room, flotation pool or relaxation area. We booked a package which included a couple’s massage. Whilst limited from a Naturist perspective, we felt this was well worth the visit when taking into account the journey and the view.
After leaving Zurich, we crossed over into Germany, driving through the Black Forest to Baden Baden. From a previous visit to the area, we recommend a side trip to Badenparadies Schwarzwald at Lake Titisee, with 6 pools and 12 saunas.
The highlight of Baden Baden is its two spas – the famous Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Therme. Friedrichsbad is a Naturist Roman-Irish bath, following a 17-stage ritual where your body is gently warmed-up, soaped, brushed (soap and brushing currently suspended due to COVID restrictions), steamed and then gently cooled-down in pools, the highlight of which is the beautiful central domed pool room; before you dry off, apply body lotion and move to the rest area for tea, all of which takes 2 – 3 hours. This all takes place in an iconic Renaissance style building, with two symmetrical wings containing the baths, meeting in the central pool. Whilst there used to be certain days when men and women were separated, one wing for each, although still with the ability to join together in the middle, when we visited one wing was closed and currently all sessions are mixed.
By contrast, a three minute walk away is Caracalla Therme, a modern, textile swimming pool complex with a large Naturist spa, for an additional cost, which has a good range of saunas and steam rooms, a jacuzzi, rest areas and an outdoor sunbathing terrace. The spa area is accessed via a spiral staircase from the main pool area and as you enter there is shelving for you to leave your swimsuits. Baden Baden should be on the Naturist spa bucket list for the opportunity to experience these two completely different spas.
We then travelled North of Munich to Therme Erding which claims to be the largest sauna paradise in the world, with multiple indoor and outside saunas, ranging from the intimate Rose Pavilion that seats about eight, through to huge saunas like the Russian Banja that can seat over 100. Each of the saunas has a different theme, with a full aufguss programme, perhaps the most unusual being the sauna with a bread oven. There are also steam rooms, together with a huge indoor pool, with swim-up bars open all day, that extends into an outdoor pool and lazy river. Erding can also be used as a base to explore the local area which has plenty to offer – on this or previous trips we have visited Munich; Dachau; Regensburg on the Danube, a UNESCO world heritage medieval city, where we had lunch in Wurstkuchl, the world’s oldest restaurant which has been serving sausages since 1146; and two of “mad” King Ludwig’s famous castles - Herrenchiemsee New Palace, modelled on Versailles and Neuschwanstein Castle, which featured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Suitably refreshed, we then began the rest of our journey down to Puglia, driving through Austria and staying at Hotel Gruenauerhof in Wals near Salzburg, which has a modern Naturist spa with two saunas, a steam room, relaxation area and sun terrace above its textile pool, and its own farm ensuring excellent produce for its restaurant.
 
Image credit: Carolus Thermen 

The Forum Live - British Naturism events!

Next Monday (19 December)  in the last (sorry!) Forum Live of the year, I'll have the pleasure of the company of my colleague, Mark Walsh, BN's events manager. I'll be talking to him about the huge range of highly successful events we've hosted this year and hear about all of those we can look forward to in what already promises to be a fantastic 2023!
Join the session on the night via the BN shop.

BN234 - Winter 2022

The Winter issue of our members’ magazine is now out!
As always, it’s chock-full of news, information, listings and fully illustrated features and articles.
Contents include:
All the events you can look forward to NKD – How one family’s first trip turned out to be a Naturist joy for parents and kids A Stocking Full of Baubles: A roundup of the fun stuff BN members have been up to lately British Heart Foundation - an update on our charity partnership - and venues for 2023! Naturism and Mental Health, Part 6: – The Value of Play Women in Naturism – converts Amanda and Sarah tell their stories  The Ipsos survey finds 6.75 million Naturists in the UK! In travel, we talk naked spas – and some other gorgeous holidays to consider BN234 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 share your views 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? 

All I want for Christmas...

If you're looking for something special for the Naturist in your life this Christmas then check out the BN shop. 
You'll find a variety of items including clothing - sweatshirts, hoodies, t-shirts, beanie hats and caps - beach towels, mugs, doormats, car stickers, drinks bottles, aprons, mousemats, tea towels - and even gift vouchers.
What's more, BN members get a 15% discount on everything!
Visit the BN shop today!

BN/BHF Naked Heart Walks - save the dates!

We hosted three highly successful Naked Heart Walks in collaboration with our charity partner, British Heart Foundation, in 2022. The programme is already bigger and better for 2023!
More details will be announced as soon as we can - including how to buy tickets - but we wanted to let you know about the terrific events being organised so that you can plan to attend - and raise valuable funds.
 
Powderham Castle, Devon (pictured) - 20 May
Cross Morecambe Bay - 11 June
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Sussex - 17 June
Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, Yorkshire - 1 July
RSPB Rainham Marshes, Essex - 23 July
Knebworth House, Hertfordshire - 10 August
 
We're also talking to plenty of other locations AND are still on the hunt for more venues and so if there is a sparkling venue where you live that would be ideal for fund raising walk, please let us know!
 

Does Naturism help your mental health? Part Six

Here’s the sixth 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, Part Four and Part Five
The Value of Play
Having fun is good for our Mental Health, in fact it’s so good for us it could almost be classified as a health intervention in its own right. Fun isn’t an activity, but an attitude and an emotion. Fun isn’t a waste of time. Many of our most treasured memories are of when we were having fun. 
We know loneliness and stress causes hormonal changes in our body that make us more susceptible to illness and disease. Trauma interferes with being able to play. It impacts our well-being socially, emotionally, and in the development of our brain. Having fun, feeling relaxed and socially connected builds our immune system as well as our self-belief. It increases the brain's production of endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that relieve pain, reduce stress and enhance nervous system regulation, supporting physical and mental health. Laughter positively impacts your stress response, heart rate and blood pressure.
...And the Naturists I’ve met certainly know how to have fun! Maybe it’s easier to allow yourself to relax and enjoy the moment in the accepting and non-judgmental atmosphere created when Naturists get together?
Play is a child’s “work” - the way they learn about the world: exploration, imagination and figuring out our relationship to the world around us. The make-believe world that develops through imaginative play enables a child to enter another world psychologically and work out their responses in a safe place. Experiencing play in a safe environment creates fresh neural pathways. It is energising, relaxing, refreshing, a change of routine. 
When play is alongside other people we can lose ourselves in the moment. Time flies. That’s an important aspect of play being fun. Whilst you can have fun on your own, a sense of connectedness with others and of that shared enjoyable experience, as well as observing others smiling and laughing, all enhances our own fun. 
Don’t get me wrong, work can also be beneficial to our mental health. Achievements, targets and  productivity are all of benefit to our psychological wellbeing if recognised and celebrated and if we can overcome our infamous British reserve and avoid missing opportunities to build our self-esteem. The downside of a strong work ethic is that it may drive an agenda of having to prove oneself, of not being good enough or of any value unless those successes are attained. Often work cannot be playful. Accuracy, accountability and getting things right is important. I want the person who is servicing the brakes on my car or building an extension on my house to be skilled and professional, not have a playful moment with my vehicle or brickwork! 
There is a huge place for play in our lives and for many people it is a missing piece of the psychological puzzle. Fun is not just for kids. Naturism offers us opportunities for fun, intrinsically challenging our social and cultural norms. Living a Naturist lifestyle can be playful in itself by engaging our rebellious side, breaking the boring rules of conforming to what is viewed as a responsible adult. British Naturism has led the way in clarifying that nudity is not against the law in the UK, supporting the concept of safe unclothed play within the non-sexual atmosphere of social nudity.
How joyous it was to play at Nudefest! Throwing paint at total strangers and becoming covered in multicoloured splats of joy; making enormous bubbles with a couple of sticks, a piece of cleverly knotted string and the magic bubble mix; seeing others laughing; jamming in the Magic teapot … play can utilise hard earned skills such as those developed by musicians and be fun too. What delight we all felt as we giggled and messed about - like children. My neural pathways were buzzing!! 
So, I encourage you to grasp every chance to have fun, especially naked. Make the most of what BN offers to enjoy playful moments with others. Do more of what makes you smile and laugh. Take large and small opportunities to play: Alton Towers; NKD; naked cruises; skinny dipping; kick through the autumn leaves. Restoring our capacity to play is an essential element of learning how to recover from trauma and enhance our wellbeing.

Sheila Maycock 
MBACP

Accredited Therapist (and BN Member) 

The Forum Live - Ask the Executive

The next quarterly Ask the Executive session will take place Monday week, 12 December at 7:30pm.
It's a chance for members to meet and ask questions of British Naturism's Executive Committee and hear from officers and other volunteer role holders, including and update from Partnerships Officer, Lachlan Robertson with an opportunity for a discussion.
It's 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 Forum Live - interviewing Ian Munt

Next Monday, 5th December, I will have the pleasure of talking to Ian Munt, BN's recently-appointed volunteer Sports officer.
By day, Ian  holds a senior role within a large corporation, setting up programmes; building risk assessments, developing policies and training programmes, and engaging with stakeholders in the UK, Europe and Asia. Six months into the role he has attended and helped with National and international sporting events, most recently the INF Swimming Gala in Belgrade, Serbia.
Come and learn about the variety of Naturist sports, their strategic importance to British Naturism and the plans that Ian has for tournaments in 2023 and beyond. He is particularly keen to encourage more people to take part and for venues to offer to host events.
Join the session on the night via the BN shop

The Forum Live - interviewing Aleksandra Karpowicz

Next Monday, 28th November I am delighted to announce that our guest on the ever-popular Forum Live will be Aleksandra Karpowicz.
Aleksandra is an award-winning artist based in London, working with video, photography, and performance. We became aware of her recently when she asked us to help find willing nude models for her latest work, They Knew No Storms. Many of you answered the call and reported back on a wonderful, uplifting experience. 
In her art, Aleksandra explores themes of relationship to body, psychology, sexuality, and identity, and how those aspects of human nature are expressed and oppressed in our society and politics.
A great diversity of over 600 people from a range of social backgrounds, genders, sexuality, and ages appear in her work. She often performs and models for her own art, exposing struggles and personal journeys of healing. She sees her art as an empowering platform of expression for herself and the communities she works with.
I'll be talking to Aleksandra about her life and her work and we'll see some clips of her work too including 'Body as Home' 
Join the session on Monday night from the BN shop

Great performance by team GB at the 50th INF -EuNat International Swimming Gala

‘This year marks a big milestone for the INF, celebrating 50 years, and boy did Team BN rise to the occasion, with a team of 12 swimmers, aged 10 to 73,’ writes BN Sports Officer, Ian Munt.
Team BN flew in to Belgrade in force from Luton and were escorted by Goran Filipović Fića (President of Naturist Organisation of Serbia (NOS)) to our hotel which was only 30 minutes away. An early night followed dinner.
60 athletes from eight nations congregated after breakfast, pleasantly smiling and greeting each other, though doubtless eyeing each other up looking for weaknesses. After a wonderful 20-minute walk alongside the Danube which shrouded in a wonderful mist, we arrived at our venue, a superb 50-metre pool, exclusively ours for the day.
After an opening ceremony by the INF and NOS we were introduced to the 12 officials and judges from the Serbian Swimming association.
…and the event began; we cheered loudly and Team BN scooped its first Gold Medal won by Isla, the youngest competitor at the gala.  12 events and 28 heats later team BN had hauled in 16 Gold, nine Silver and four Bronze medals. Sadly we did not have enough female swimmers to enable us to field a team for the relays but in the spirit of the games we put a team together to make up the numbers in the pool which was received positively.
After lunch (which was enjoyed poolside) and the medal ceremony, the pool was opened for us to have a leisurely swim. I did a 50 metre breast stroke just to see if I could (I made it eventually)!
Back at the hotel after another walk by the Danube, most of us relaxed in the hotel’s spa where we were permitted to use the facilities naked. The sauna and steam room were a welcome stop before the Gala dinner.
The only attire required for the fantastic buffet dinner was a towel and a pair of flipflops after which the President of NOS and the INF began the prize giving ceremony. Each nation received a poster as a memento of the 50th INF Swimming Gala and then it came down to the trophies. I am proud to say that Team GB came second overall - a huge well done to all the swimmers who put up a valiant fight. There was dancing,  and the wine flowed in a friendly atmosphere.
The following morning, we were treated to a guided tour of Serbia by the NOS president who had an incredible knowledge of Serbia’s History. From 14th Century castles to a 21st century shopping mall, he gave us a fantastic tour. It was an incredible weekend hosted by a wonderful country and federation.
If you enjoy swimming and you would like to Swim for Team BN all you need to do is take part in the BN National Swimming Gala which will be held in May 2023, keep an eye out for details.  Any questions you have please contact me by email sports@bn.org.uk or @Ian_and_Sharon via the members area of the website.

New Great British Skinny Dip at Petersfield

Guests at Monday night's The Forum Live were impressed by how many British Naturism/British Heart Foundation events have already been arranged for 2023. There are a few loose ends to tie up before we can tell you all about them and invite you to reserve your place, but we will do that soon.
One event that is booking now is a Great British Skinny Dip at Petersfield Open Air Pool in Hampshire on June 9th. It's a heated pool with a café onsite.
We're always encouraging you to think about venues in your area - and that's what happened here with a member making the first approach and then passing it onto to BN to do the rest when the response was positive. Thanks to everyone who has been involved thus far.
Please don't assume that a venue is going to say no, some do, but if we don't ask, we never know. Sometimes they lap it up - there were four successful Great British Skinny Dips at Peterborough Lido this summer and they recently chased us for our dates for 2023!
If you missed Monday night, you can view the slideshow in the Members' Area (log in required). And we're still happy to receive suggestions for more venues for Naked Heart Walks or Great British Skinny Dips!

The Forum Live - Down Under at Nude Up!

In July this year I had the pleasure of speaking to Mick Davie, President of the Australian Naturist Federation (ANF) who brought us up to date with activity and plans for Naturists and Naturism in Australia. They also launched a big new festival this year called Nude Up which, as our picture shows, included the incredible opportunity for naked hot-air ballooning.
It was such as success that they are running it again in 2023. Come and hear what's planned from organiser Josh, and about progress  being made generally in Australia.
The Forum Live is free and open to all BN members and members of other Naturist federations.
Join on the night via the BN shop

Five fantastic years on, the Wigton swim – still going strong!

'It’s hard to believe, but it’s exactly five years since the inaugural Naturist swim took place at the Wigton Pool, Cumbria' says Ron O'Hare.
As soon as the trial monthly swims were agreed following a suggestion from me to the pool that they consider hosting costume-free swims, BN sent out several press releases to the Cumbria newspaper editors and radio stations and in a very short time, I found myself talking about this new venture to several journalists and radio presenters throughout Cumbria.  Lift off time had arrived!   
Soon afterwards - a journalist from ‘Newsquest’ working for the Carlisle based newspaper, the ‘Cumbrian evening star’ was asking for an interview outside the baths, so I suggested that he joined us in the pool to talk to other Naturists – Roger obliged and a full page report in the newspaper followed. We counted 53 swimmers at that event - with incredible support from North West BN members.
The success led the management of the pool to realise they were missing a trick (and potential revenue) and decided to run the swim themselves. Result! One of the main aims of the Great British Skinny Dip is to grow the number of venues - and brilliant if we don't have to hire them ourselves.
Reduced attendances this Summer, owing to the swim coinciding with other summer events in the area, almost resulted In a cut in the swim duration from two hours to one, but after a short chat with the Manager, ninety minutes was agreed upon, with a marginally increased price to keep the event alive. This has been successful with 30 swimmers attending the October swim – now an official monthly GBSD event and listed on the new Great British Skinny Dip website.
If you know of any venues that could be the Wigton of the future - they don’t have to be in the North West region! We are all constantly seeking to expand.
Swim at Wigton today! Find details here
Ron O’Hare (NW Chair/Coordinator/PRO).
ron.ohare@bn.org.uk

The Forum Live - charity partnership update: British Heart Foundation

Next Monday, 14 November, at 7:30pm we'll be bringing you an update on the great work, activity and fundraising that has gone on this summer in connection with our charity partner British Heart Foundation. 
Come and hear from members of the BN/BHF team (which includes representatives of both) about the many Naked Heart Walks and Great British Skinny Dips and learn what's planned for 2023 - you'll be amazed!
We'll also be talking about how YOU can get involved and make a difference to both Naturism and heart disease.
Join us on the night via the BN shop
 

Generation Z: The Role of Nudity in Improving Mental Health

The findings of a recent national Ipsos poll on attitudes to Naturism show a growing enthusiasm for nude recreation amongst 16–24-year-olds, with 55% having participated in such activities as skinny dipping, nude sunbathing or visiting a Naturist beach/resort. Almost half (47%) of all 16–24-year-olds said they had been naked in the company of others in the past year (excluding partners, family, and healthcare settings), and 23% describe themselves as Naturist or nudist.  When similar statistics are examined in older age groups, they are much lower. For example, 4% of 45–75-year-olds describe themselves as Naturist or nudist and only 6% of 45–75-year-olds have been naked in the company of others in the past year.
Why are younger adults embracing Naturism and nude recreation more than their older counterparts and why does it matter?
To interpret these trends, it is important to understand who these young adults are and what their experience of the world has been so far. Young adults of 16-24 years old are often described as Generation Z. They are the first generation to have had access to the internet and portable devices from a young age, meaning that their entire experience of the world has been heavily influenced by social media.  Their actions have always been subject to the scrutiny of their friends and elders and their perception of the human body has always been through stylised imagery, social media filters and influencers.  They are also the generation who have suffered restrictions such as COVID-lockdowns at an age that we would normally be discovering our independence.  Kane, 20, says:
“Being chronically online, you start to lose touch with reality.  When all you see are people posting their workout videos you get a warped view on life, and start thinking "if they can do xyz or look like xyz so should I".”
The pressures to achieve a 'perfect body' leads to problems with self-image, having an impact on mental health that can be seen across healthcare.  One in five young women aged 16-24 self-harm, a number that has tripled over a 15-year period (The Lancet Psychiatry).  Suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged 20-34, accounting for over a quarter of fatalities (Office of National Statistics).  The most direct consequence of living online is the deterioration of body confidence and poor body image, with 5.6% of women aged 17-19 suffering Body Dysmorphic Disorder (NHS).  Kane’s own story is a typical example of this:
“Mental health and body image are always going to be inextricably linked and will influence each other.  I have faced problems with my body image due a variety of reasons, most namely dysphoria and my body not feeling like my own.  When my mental health started to decline, I developed an eating disorder and began self-harming in an attempt to feel ownership over my body.  This of course did not help my body image/ self-esteem, and that in turn did not help my mental health, leading to a downwards cycle where both declined.”
Poor mental health is having a devastating effect on young people.  Unfortunately, healthcare focuses on ‘treatment’ when things reach a crisis point, rather than early intervention, and for mental health issues, that is too late.
So, where does Naturism come in? Whilst simple nudity does not provide an instant fix to all of these challenges, there is evidence to show that it does help.  Published studies conducted with Professor Keon West have found that spending even short period of times naked with others improves body appreciation and reduces social anxiety, while ongoing participation in Naturism leads to long-term positive body image and higher self-esteem.  In a world where even urgent healthcare is becoming increasingly difficult to access, it is no surprise that Generation Z are finding their own solutions and turning to social nudity as a way to nurture and protect their mental health.
It is these findings and challenges with regard to Generation Z that have led us to launch the EveryBody initiative.  EveryBody will create events tailored to Millennials and Generation Z and provide opportunities for young and not-so-young adults to try nude recreation in a safe, non-sexual environment with a firm emphasis on freedom, equality and body positivity.  The need and the demand for such opportunities are clear and we will do our best to provide them.
https://www.thisiseverybody.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsEveryBody
https://www.instagram.com/everybodynaked/

Join us for your first Christmas lunch of the 2022 season!

Following our successful summer dining events at the Mill Arms, why not join BN for your first Christmas lunch of the 2022 season!
We’ve arranged to hire the private room at the Mill Arms in Hampshire for lunch on Saturday 19 November. The private room has its own bar and toilets, so it will be possible to be naked throughout the event if you wish. There is also a skittle alley if you’re feeling energetic!
Your ticket price will include choice of two or three courses from a set menu. This includes some seasonal options if you’re feeling festive, and other choices if it’s a bit too early in the year to be thinking about Christmas!
Find out more and book your place...
 
Photo by Todd Trapani on Unsplash

The Forum Live Debate - What is a Naturist?

A frequently discussed topic among long term Naturists is “What constitutes a Naturist?”.  Do you need to follow a very prescriptive set of rules or is simply considering yourself a Naturist enough?  That is precisely the question we will tackle this week in the Forum Live Debate, next Monday, 7 November.  We expect some strong opinions on this one!
Join us on the night via the BN shop

BN's online yoga - 5 classes a week!

Yogis!
How are we all doing? Nights are drawing in, getting a bit chillier, but we're still here for you! 
Missing some of your lovely faces as of late, hope I haven't offended you. Please do keep coming to classes and supporting us, I know life is back to normal for most but it would be a shame to loose this lovely community we have built online over the last 2 1/2 years.
Still 5 classes on each week for you to come to: 
Chair - seated or standing using your chair for support, suitable for all abilities. 
Vinyasa - Tuesdays, can be a challenging practice at times but suitable for most (as long as you can easily move from the ground up and down).
Yin - Wednesdays, mostly seated or lying down, a very slow but deep practice. Can be adapted to suit most people as we aren't getting up and down. Working deep into the body. 
Strong Vinyasa - Fridays, not suitable for complete beginners or those with mobility challenges as we are moving quite fast. Good physical workout.
Forest Yoga - Sundays - the class is taken by Tor, very accessible (if you come to chair Yoga this is a really good other class for you). Gentle movements and plenty of time to slow down and check in. Elements of meditation too. 
Don't forget about all of the other sessions on the naked fitness site too. I know money is tight for lots at the moment, but our classes are such good value compared to other wellness and fitness classes elsewhere! 
Hope to see you on our mats again soon,
Namaste x
Book now for all the above classes and other Naked Fitness (Fitness classes, meditation, Fitsteps, GroovX)

The Forum Live - an INF update

It's not just thrown together you know ... hot on the heels of today's other news about the INF congress, I'm delighted to tell you that next Monday, 31 October,  at 19:30 GMT, we'll be talking to newly-elected INF Vice-President, Edwin Kilby (L, in the picture) along with another member of the INF’s leadership team, Europe spokesperson Laurent Luft (R, in the picture) - who is becoming a regular on the Forum Live.
It’s an opportunity to find out more about the INF, the work currently going on to help it become more visible and effective, and the plans for next year. 
Join us on the night via the BN shop

INF 'on a positive course' after successful meeting in Luxembourg

The International Naturist Federation, of which British Naturism is a member, is on a “distinctly positive course” after its biennial World Congress held in Luxembourg last week, according to British Naturism’s International Director, Edwin Kilby.
The organisation, which marks its 70th anniversary next year, took a number of important decisions which will help it be more effective and visible. The anniversary will be celebrated at an event at Montalivet in France in September which will feature workshops and other meetings alongside more “fun” activities such as wine and oyster tastings.  A series of conferences – to be held in person and online – on topics affecting Naturism worldwide will be launched in Bonn in March.  And a working group will be established to examine the rules about membership of the organisation to see, among other things, how best to bring more Naturist voices within the INF’s embrace and make it more globally representative.
Edwin says that the Congress was the most harmonious and collegiate such meeting he had yet attended, with clear and encouraging signs emerging of a shared vision of how the Naturist federations should work together in future.  He thinks this is at least in part due to the success of the co-presidency shared by Stéphane Deschênes and Sieglinde Ivo, following Stéphane’s election last year.
The meeting also saw Edwin elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the INF, a role which puts him in the influential position of Secretary – working closely alongside the two Presidents and the Treasurer as part of the leadership of the organisation, helping with arrangements for congresses, setting the agenda for meetings and, crucially, interpreting the INF’s statutes.
Edwin added, “I’m really looking forward to working as a team alongside Stéphane, Sieglinde, the rest of the committee and, of course, the Naturist federations.  If last week’s meeting is anything to go by, there’s a renewed willingness among the federations to work together to advance the organisation and – more importantly – worldwide Naturism.  It’s a really exciting time to be involved at this level.”
Asked about the impact on his work for BN, Edwin said, “I have a fair idea of the workload involved in the INF position.  And I’ve already been doing a lot of INF-related work alongside my BN work – I’m on a working group revising the statutes, for example, and I’ve been working pretty hard in the run-up to the Congress – so I think I know how to balance the demands.  But one thing I won’t be able to do is occupy the BN seat at INF meetings.  That could be an interesting opportunity for somebody.”
Image: Delegates at Luxembourg

Arnaoutchot - ici, c’est le paradis….

'A full disclosure at the outset,' writes Brian Curragh: we love Arna and have been coming here since 2011. This trip was our sixth visit but the first after a gap of five years - so we were really keen to see what has changed. The good news is that the changes are all to the positive and the site 
is as magical as before!’

For those of you who haven’t tried the French southwest coastline – you can look forward to a beach that is just under 230 kilometres long, stretching from fashionable Biarritz in the south right up to the Gironde estuary. A beach that long is never going to get crowded and provides almost unlimited opportunities to get that all over suntan in perfect seclusion. Apart from the four main Naturist resorts – Arna, La Jenny, Montalivet and Euronat – there are countless Naturist beaches, either official or generally accepted, but to be honest when you can be 100 meters from your nearest neighbour, who can tell what you are wearing or not! 
Arna (officially ‘Arnaoutchot’) itself is located in the Landes department which is home to the largest manmade forest in Western Europe – the 10,000 square kilometres almost entirely consist of tall maritime pine trees and Arna certainly has its share of them. They give the whole site a wonderfully peaceful air as they sway gently in the offshore breeze. Walking amongst them on the way to the sand dunes that separate the site from the beach is a great way to start any day. The weather at Arna is generally much better than the UK, but as the site is bordered by the Atlantic and with the Pyrenees to the south, it can be changeable. Our first week saw temperatures up in the mid 30s while during our last few days it was not wildly different from back home, with blustery showers. We also had an unbelievable thunderstorm at 4am one morning with torrential rain but by midday, you would not know it had ever happened. 
Arna have clearly invested since we last visited: there is a great deal of new accommodation which is a step away from the mobile home type and more closely resembles modern cabins, while at least one of the bathroom blocks has been replaced with a very smart facility. More new cabins were being delivered while we were there so the upgrade programme is definitely continuing. If you are looking for a stay that is more camping-orientated then the emplacements down near the beach are still there and were proving popular with campers and the caravan/camper van crowd. 
The site’s facilities are excellent with – in high season - three restaurants serving local specialities, fish and pizza alongside open air bar seating. Diners at the restaurants tended to dress for their evening meals which seems to the common approach at most French resorts but there were always plenty of naked bodies in the early evening around the bar area. The wonderful local menu restaurant, La Gourmand Landaises, appears to have dropped their 3-course menu du jour, which is a shame as we used to like the choices and it always seemed to be good value. There is a well-stocked mini supermarket that will supply you with everything you need. We tended to use this for anything we had missed and did most of our food shopping at the Carrefour in nearby Léon which is a very easy 15-minute drive away – and, unsurprisingly, much cheaper!

On the entertainment front, in high season there is something on most evenings from local bands through to soirée dansantes alongside entertainment aimed at children. There are also several excellent children’s areas spread throughout the site – with a new children’s water park just being commissioned as we were there. 
If the beach isn’t your thing, there are outdoor and indoor pools with top quality loungers, a huge pétanque area and the new Les Bassins d’Arna spa area which looks beautiful and includes a spa, a relaxation garden and four treatment rooms offering a vast range of treatments. 
We left the site on 1st July just as Arna was beginning to move up a gear - with the French school holidays only a week away, families were starting to appear and the animations programme was getting into full operation with activities most evenings in July and August; if you want a quiet time then avoid those months. 
The practicalities: we tend to fly into Biarritz with Ryanair from Stansted but there is no reason why you could not fly in via Bordeaux if that works for you better. Biarritz is a great little airport, and you can be outside with your luggage 30 minutes after touching down. All the car hire companies are there and provided you turn the right way onto the autoroute and don’t head for Spain as we once did, you will be at Arna an hour later. Technically you can’t check in until after 5pm but I don’t believe we have ever had an issue by arriving earlier. Apart from picking up your key, about the only other thing you might need to consider is hiring a bedlinen set if you haven’t brought your own. 
Check-out had also changed since our last visit. You can avoid a cleaning charge of something slightly over €100 by leaving your accommodation clean and tidy – basically as you would expect to find it yourself on arrival. Five years ago, you had to book an inspection by the cleaning team for the morning of departure – which was always a bit
of a hassle to get as late a slot as possible. Fortunately, this has all gone – you still leave your unit in a clean state, but the inspection happens after you have gone – so you can plan on packing up for 10am and still enjoy a leisurely breakfast. 
Even though you are all packed up at this point, you can still use all the site’s facilities until you have to drag yourself away. This time we went up to the pool and made good use of the loungers until lunchtime before using of one of the excellent shower blocks to get the suntan oil off and force ourselves to return to Biarritz Airport. 
In summary, Arna is a wonderfully professionally run and maintained resort with more pine trees than you will ever see elsewhere and a beach that seems to go on forever, giving you the chance to get back to nature and relax. You can take your clothes off as soon as you arrive and if you stay on site, you won’t need them until the day you head home. 
I saw a sign on one of our neighbours’ cabins: “Ici, c'est le paradis” - they’re not wrong, you know! 
arna.com

+33 (0)5 58 49 11 11 

Naturist swim in Dover relaunched!

Established over 45 years ago and in operation continuously until lockdown, Dover Naturist Swimming Club are delighted to announce the return of their weekly costume free swimming sessions.
The swim will take place at 8:30pm every Sunday at the new Dover Leisure Centre, Fitness Fields, Whitfield, Dover CT16 3FZ. Members will have the full use of the facilities including the pool, sauna and steam room. The swim is open to all on production a means of identification eg British Naturism membership card, driving licence etc. The cost is £7 per person plus a £15 per annum club membership fee. Tickets can be bought on the door
Dover Swim was created in 1979 and over the years has been a host to hundreds of Naturists at the old leisure centre in Townhall Street before the new centre was built.
 
Rod Baker, Dover Swim spokesman, said:
‘We’re delighted to restart the swim again post Covid at this purpose built facility. Our existing members will be joined by many newcomers who applied to joined the club during lockdown - it’s great that we can finally meet them. We would encourage anyone who has ever thought about what it is like to swim without a costume to come and try it out in a safe, non-judgemental environment that Naturism creates.’
 
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. Swimming naked is one of the most exhilarating, life-affirming things you can do and always better in the company of like-minded people. An increasing number of venues are realising that hiring their spaces to Naturist groups is as lucrative as hiring to anyone else - and a lot more fun!’
 
Contacts:
Dover Naturist Swim
Rod Baker doverswim@hotmail.com; 07772 086757
 
British Naturism
Andrew Welch andrew.welch@bn.org.uk; 07774 955138

The Great British Skinny Dip - amazing autumn!

What with being on holiday in Italy (where I snuck in a cheeky skinny dip!), I hadn’t checked out the GBSD calendar for several weeks. When I did, I discovered there are events lined up well into December. Wouldn’t it be great if there could be, say, one giant, nationwide Boxing Day or New Year’s Day dip? A dream too far...?
Before we look at what’s coming up, a few thoughts:
First, the Wirral Naturist Club/GBSD Women Only, Clothing-Optional Skinny Dip on 29 October: Could I urge those of you in the North West to get the word out? Speaking as one of the organizers, we’d very much like this first effort to be a smashing success, and then to repeat it in the future. As the name implies, it's a great opportunity to bring friends who may be reluctant to strip straight away! 
Second, you’ll have seen from recent news (Location, location, er, location) that we’re on the hunt for venues to host skinny dips and Naked Heart Walks. Suggestions are coming in but please put your thinking caps on and let us know what you can come up with.
Now— besides the aforementioned women-only swim, here’s what else is lined up for the next few weeks. Remember, we’re doing this not only for the fun of swimming au naturel and to get more and more people involved in Naturism, but also to raise money for our charity partner British Heart Foundation!
Find details of all the following at greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk/events-calendar
 
October 22
Spectrum Swim, Birmingham - also taking place every Saturday in October and November and beyond
 
October 23
East Sussex Naturists, Seaford - also taking place every Sunday in October, November and beyond
 
November 12
Wigton GBSD, Cumbria
 
November 13
Northampton Sun Group, Northampton
 
November 26
Swim with Oxnat! Didcot
 
December 10
Wigton GBSD, Cumbria
 
December 11
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.
 

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