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Nudefest - Day 6

Time flies when you're having fun, which means that I shouldn't be surprised it's Saturday already! 
It was a seriously hot and sunny day yesterday and we made the most of it right into the evening when we danced the night away. As you will see from the image, some of our guests even dressed in homage to their heroes, Piano Jam. 
The sun's already high in the sky today. There's the usual programme of fitness, meditation and sports, workshops and talks, a hands-on reptile experience, slip 'n' slide and a Jubilee picnic with a parachute display team landing at Nudefest! A Bee Gees tribute and silent disco will end a fabulous week.
Has it been fabulous? Is Naturism one of the best ever things? Writer Antonia Hoyle certainly thinks so
 

Nudefest - Day 5

People are moaning here. 'There's so much to do, I can't fit it all in!' they say. A nice problem to have, I say.
Yesterday's off-site walk attracted over 100 people who eventually were able to strip off when the sun finally obliged. Word of the day towards the end of the afternoon, however, was 'sunburn'. Boy, was it hot. It might have been the prompt, who knows, but circus performers and bar staff were inspired to adopt our dress code.
Over the last two days I have welcomed two writers from national newspapers, both of whom reported a great experience - let's hope the features they write are just as positive. Thanks to all the Nudefesters who spoke to them.
Is it Friday already? Today, there are seven fitness classes, five sport sessions and a fishing competition, more talks and workshops,  board games and a Holi paint fight, before another evening of fantastic live music.
 

Naked Heart Walk at Adlington Hall - a press release from British Heart Foundation

Here's a press release just issued by our friends in the North West region of British Heart Foundation
Naked walk in grounds of Cheshire country house to raise vital funds for heart research
Locals in Cheshire are being urged to bare it all for a naked walk to help raise money for the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) life saving research.
Fundraisers can leave their clothes behind and take part in the BHF Naked Heart Walk, held in the stunning gardens of Adlington Hall, a country home in the heart of Cheshire countryside near Macclesfield.
The event has been organised by British Naturism as part of their charity partnership with the BHF. 
It will take place on Wednesday 20th July and participants can sign up to one of two walks at the venue – one starting at 3pm and another starting at 6pm.  
Walkers will be able to feel the breeze on their skin as they walk along a circular path up through the extensive grounds and onto the lawn by the hall. There will also be a maze to explore.
Each participant is being asked to aim to raise £100 through sponsorship, which will help fund the BHF’s research to save and improve the lives of people living with heart and circulatory diseases. In Cheshire alone, around 140,000 people are living with these conditions.
Walkers will receive a fundraising pack and full support from the BHF to help them reach their sponsorship target. A BHF medal will also be handed out at the end of the walk, with snacks and water provided to all participants.
The event is ticket only and anyone taking part must be aged over 18. The grounds of Adlington Hall will be closed to the general public during both walks, and there will also be a gazebo on site where participants can disrobe.
Ron O’Hare, North West Coordinator for British Naturism, said: “Naturism is great for your body confidence, self-esteem and physical and mental health. Our Naked Heart Walk provides a brief escapism from covering up and will be an exhilarating experience for all who take part. Stripping off will be for a good cause, too, as the money raised through sponsorship will help fund the BHF’s vital research.
We can’t wait to hold our event at Adlington Hall soon and would urge anyone who wants to join us to purchase tickets now.”
Emily Lyle, Fundraising Manager at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “By daring to bare for the BHF, you will be able to get moving and meet other fellow nude walkers, all whilst exploring the fascinating grounds of Adlington Hall. Your fearlessness will pay off, as any money raised will help the BHF continue to fund its groundbreaking science to find the cures and treatments of the future.”
The event is limited to 100 participants. Tickets cost £15 and can be purchased by clicking here.
Ends
For more information, please contact Lee Kettle from the BHF’s Media Team on 07741 908365 or kettlel@bhf.org.uk 
Notes to Editors
About the British Heart Foundation 
It is only with donations from the public that the BHF can keep its life saving research going. Help us turn science fiction into reality. With donations from the public, the BHF funds ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases. A world where broken hearts are mended, where millions more people survive a heart attack, where the number of people dying from or disabled by a stroke is slashed in half. A world where people affected by heart and circulatory diseases get the support they need. And a world of cures and treatments we can’t even imagine today. Find out more at bhf.org.uk 
 

Nudefest - Day 4

You can be forgiven if you think that the only thing going on in Naturism in the UK right now is Nudefest. Of course, it's not, but when 500+ Naturists take over a campsite, watch the European mountain bike champion, meet a features writer from a national newspaper, enjoy a presentation and reading from an up-and-coming author and dance into the night to one of the bet 60s bands - it's worth talking about!
So what can we expect today? Another full programme of fitness classes and sports, a naked walk in the local countryside, jewellery and bubble workshops, wine tasting, life drawing and horse and cart rides. The circus comes to Nudetown and we anticipate the return of the Old Time Sailors and their energetic shanties. There will be more music later from DJ MaxGalactic and Rum & Reggae. If interactive, acoustic music is more your thing, head to the Magic Teapot where the hosts are delighted to be back at Nudefest where they can once again do their stuff, in the buff!

Nudefest - Day 3

Nudefest kicked up a gear yesterday with the start of the fitness classes. As you can see, the weather played along and yoga and GroovX took place in the sunshine. The event field was full of pétanquers (is that a word?), volleyballers and happy people lazing around in the sun. The bar did a roaring trade (when does it not?). We also watched the Magic Teapot being erected - can't wait to get in there today.
Rebecca and Will from British Heart Foundation had a stunning day, meeting many people with heart-related stories and showed us how to perform CPR. We danced to the Wassail Blues Band and joined the silent disco train. 
Even more activity and entertainment awaits the hundreds of guests today, from workshops in willow weaving and jewellery, to a visit to the Cider Brandy Farm and a mountain bike demonstration (by the European champion) and I'll be chatting to author Sophie Pavelle about her new book.
Then it's music all the way - with a pop quiz, karaoke, and two acts paying tribute to the 1960s.
Enjoy!

Nudefest - Day 2

Build it and they will come - and come they did! The place is buzzing now with hundreds of guests arriving from all points of the compass. The sun was held up by slow-moving clouds in the M-sky, but appeared eventually, coinciding with the opening of the bar. Neat. Business was brisk, as nude holidaymakers chilled before dancing to The Craving's guitar-based pop and rock classics.
Looks like a sunny day today, too. We're looking forward to welcoming our partners from British Heart Foundation who'll be manning an information stall, demonstrating CPR and then sitting down for a chat with me about their work and the events we are collaborating on. There's yoga, meditation, GroovX, pétanque, volleyball, Molky and Kubb. Tonight we'll be enjoying a blues band and the Silent Disco train. Intriguing.

...and so it begins, it's Nudefest!

Today marks the start of Nudefest, our big summer week-long event which is as usual packed with masses of activities and entertainment. A few people are already on site, here in Somerset, and we expect hundreds to arrive later today. The team is ready to get them to their pitches so that everyone can get on with the serious business of enjoying themselves!
It's particularly great for me on a personal level to see how this festival that I was at the helm of when it began in 2007, grow to such a size and quality. Nudefest began when I was contacted by gift experience company Red Letter Days who had an idea to branch out into the wellness market and launched it via a nude night at Cornwall's Eden Project. We made an arrangement with a local caravan park to allow our people to make a weekend of it, added a late night disco and Nudefest was born. 
Tonight's Forum Live comes, er, live, from here and then we will all kick off our shoes (If we've put them on in the first place) and dance to The Craving. 
 
Image: Nudefest - almost set up... Mark Bass

Events this weekend - and beyond!

Hey everyone - this update includes events from today until Sunday 10th July, but don’t forget to keep an eye on all other events coming up soon:
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
 
Find links to all the events mentioned, below.
 
BN’s big summer event starts this weekend - Nudefest is also the UK’s biggest Naturist festival. We published the activity programme this week - it’s packed! I must mention Naked Yoga with Georgia, Group Fitness with Roy, Groovx fitness with Jooles, Fitsteps with Caroline, Meditation with Tor, as my favourites (and as those people are my friends!) Other personal highlights include Jewellery workshops, The Extreme Mountain Bike & BMX Show, World champion Danny’s stunt show! Drink & be merry with our band of 16 sailors and shanties galore, Rum & Reggae, Bud, The Silent Disco Train! our horse & cart ride. Duelling Pianos, Piano Jam are back! As are Rang-A-Tang. And who does not love the Magic Teapot??
There’s another camping opportunity, at a new venue; a relaxing back to basics weekend at Rushey Hill in Northern Ireland, with hopefully, weather permitting trip to the local beaches.
This week’s walks include a 7-mile walk by the Eastern region to Nettlebed in Oxfordshire, and a  Natram 11 mile hike around Box Hill near Dorking in Surrey. Please be advised this walk does include some strenuous climbs!
This week’s skinny dip opportunities include an informal beach day at Studland, an evening with Gary and Noreen and the Northern Ireland region in Magherafelt, for their first skinny dip in a man-made lake, which was over 50 years ago a basalt quarry! Wholly Healthy Open Water Club in Nottingham welcomes us to their first Skinny Dip in Colwick Park. Andy and the South West team will be in Ringstead Bay in Dorset.
Our first garden visit of July is to the National Trust’s Scotney Castle, a picturesque 14th Century castle surrounded by a moat, walled gardens. Picnic hampers are available as are ice cream, soft drinks and coffee/tea will be available to purchase in the garden also. In the South West, another new venue is Birchtree Well in Monmouthshire, situated in the heart of the Lower Wye Valley. We can walk amongst the ancient habitat of woodland, rocks, streams, lookout towers and butterfly gardens.
World Naked Bike ride this week from Portsmouth and Ipswich the following week! They are still underway all around the world.
 
Amanda
x
 
Events
 
Camping
Nudefest 2022
Mon 04 Jul 2022 - Mon 11 Jul 2022
Rusheyhill Camping
Sat 09 Jul 2022, 10:00 -Wed 13 Jul 2022, 12:00
 
Walks
Nettlebed Naturist Walk – 1st July 2022
Fri 01 Jul 2022, 12:30
Natram walk Box Hill
Thu 07 Jul 2022, 11:30-18:30
 
 
WNBR
WNBR Portsmouth 2 July 2022
Sat 02 Jul 2022, 11:00
WNBR Ipswich | 9 July 2022
Sat 09 Jul 2022, 13:00
 
Great British Skinny Dips
Skinny Dip Aberdeen
Sat 02 Jul 2022
Spectrum swim
Sat 2 Jul and Sat 9 Jul 2022, 18:00 - 21:00
Studland Beach Day
Sun 03 Jul 2022
Splash Northern Ireland | Mon 4 Jul 2022 | Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
Mon 04 Jul 2022, 20:00-22:00
Wholly Healthy Open Water | Sat 9 Jul 2022 | Nottingham
Sat 09 Jul 2022, 06:30-11:59
Kerensa Cottage Independent Skinny Dip
Sat 09 Jul 2022, 11:00-16:30
Ringstead in Bay Dorset on Saturday 9th July 2022
Sat 09 Jul 2022, 11:00
Wigton
Sat 09 Jul 2022, 13:00 - 15:00
Newcastle
Sat 09 Jul 2022, 18:00 - 19:00
 
Other events including garden days
Haslemere Open Day
Sat 02 Jul 2022-Sun 03 Jul 2022
Naturist Yoga Class | Consett | Saturday 10:00-13:00
Sat 02 Jul 2022, 10:00-13:00
Visit to NT Scotney Castle
Sun 03 Jul 2022, 17:30-21:30
Birchtree Well
Sun 03 Jul 2022, 14:00-17:30
Naked Yoga in Bristol
Tue 05 Jul 2022, 20:00-21:00

BN - broadcasting to the nation

We're fortunate to receive many approaches from the media - print, radio, TV and online - for news items, features, first-person stories and comment on Naturism and Naturist-related topics.
It's mostly because our subject matter is perennially fascinating, but we've also become adept at handling them professionally, and are well-known for being approachable and quick to respond.
Best of all is the increase in members willing to participate (thank you all!) - to be interviewed, filmed or photographed, share their views, and educate (inspire?) the audience, changing their views on social nudity (and those mad people that do it) and/or encouraging them to give it a try. Golly - they might even join BN!
It's been busy (again) lately as the opportunities to spread the word have increased. That's partly because we issued two press releases last week about the Great British Skinny Dip and Nudefest, both of which led to good coverage in print and on radio. BBC Radio Leicester sent a reporter to a skinny dip, and we were even asked by The Scotsman newspaper to write an article for them!
If you'd like to catch up with it all, read the articles and listen to the radio interviews, then check out this topic on the BN members' forum (log in required - don't have one? Come and join us here). There is also a topic dedicated to requests we and others have received for people and places for Naturist-related media work.
...and keep checking back, because, believe me, there is more to come...
 
Photo by Fringer Cat on Unsplash

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

Arrivals and departures 
Unfortunately, for personal reasons, Sally Whitney decided to stand down as Clubs Officer and the position now stands vacant. We thank Sally for her contribution during her short time in post. This is a role created following the consultation carried out in 2020 concerning the relationship between BN and its member clubs, and one of its principal functions is to facilitate better communication. We very much hope somebody will come forward to take on this role soon. 
On the credit side, we were pleased to welcome Robin Dearle to the team. Robin will be assisting with financial matters and although he will not formally adopt the title of financial director, he will occupy a very important position. 
We were pleased to see that all the roles that fall due for election this year have attracted nominations. 
British Naturism: Sunfolk 
As the Sunfolk site readied itself to mark its 90th year as a Naturist venue, early in the new year we received the good news that planning permission for our proposed developments was granted. This means that we now need to move ahead with the practicalities, including the funding of this project. Developing this plan has been an important topic for the management team, over the last few months.
Meanwhile, the British Naturism: Sunfolk website has been re-launched – if you haven’t visited it recently it will be well worth a look.
British Heart Foundation 
We were extremely pleased to be able to sign a new agreement with this major national UK charity, building on the partnership of the last two years. They are extremely keen to be working with us.  We are now listed on the BHF’s website as a corporate partner.
Opinion polls 
The EC has decided to commission a well-known polling organisation to ask some questions about Naturism. The last such polls took place in 2001 and 2011, but with Covid still a major obstacle to normal life in 2021 it did not seem prudent to launch such a poll that year. This year, with things gradually getting back to normal, seems to be a more suitable time. We hope that such a poll will enable us to understand trends in relation to the practice of Naturism and public attitudes towards it.
Regional structures reform 
The working group dealing with regional structures made recommendations which have now been adopted by the EC and which will be discussed at the AGM 
in October. We hope these will strengthen regions overall by freeing them of unnecessary bureaucracy and encouraging more volunteers to come forward at regional and local level. 

Edwin Kilby 
 

The Forum Live - Live from Nudefest

Next Monday (4th July) the Forum Live will actually be live as I'll be 'broadcasting' direct from BN's flagship summer event—and the biggest Naturist festival in the UK—Nudefest, at Thorney Lakes in Somerset.
I'll tour the site, showing you the various areas and chat to various people including the organisers, activity/workshop/fitness class hosts and guests to give you an overview of the event and what to expect.
There is plenty going on - here's the activity-packed programme
Join the Forum Live session on Monday session via the BN shop

Does Naturism help your mental health? Part Four

Here’s the fourth 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 and Part Three
As a newish Naturist I have been thinking about how and when I share my new found philosophy and lifestyle with non-Naturists and one of the main fears is ‘What will people think of me?’.  When I have told trusted family and friends, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, but with others might it be embarrassing or even shameful? 
Shame is a powerful emotion. It can cause us to sever relationships, sink into depression, fuel addictions, and even lead to suicide. Guilt is about doing something bad, shame is a deep seated feeling of being bad. It’s a feeling of unworthiness, believing you are an inadequate or unworthy person; the underlying impression that you’ve done something wrong, don’t know enough, feel uncomfortable in a social situation, or how you look, what you say or do, or a heightened awareness of your own perceived flaws or insecurities. 
Many experiences can lead to shame being a ‘default setting’: early rejection or lack
of emotional availability from caregivers; being judged or criticised; childhood trauma (ACEs) or abuse; the ‘toxic trio’ of domestic abuse, mental ill health and substance misuse. Social media is rife with sexting and ‘slut-shaming’ which impacts significantly on children and young people’s body image and mental wellbeing. Media in general has an idealised image to project, which few of us realistically achieve. 
Shame can make asking for help excruciating. Shame makes forging romantic relationships agonising and self-acceptance impossible. Shame makes us want to disappear, which can often lead to eating disorders or other self-harming behaviours. Shame says “don’t be noticed” and “don’t make a fuss” whilst we all have an innate need to be seen, heard, noticed, attended to and connected with. 
But the conundrum of shame is that, as blameless victims – often as mere children – we feel so much shame for things forced unwillingly upon us. The blame for adverse experiences, trauma and abuse lies only and always with the perpetrator. Most of us manage to keep up a brave face for the outside world, learning to act ‘as if ’ we are doing ok, whilst silently struggling on inside. Finding a safe place to share some of those deepest fears, which may even be hidden from oneself, can help deal with the triggers that send us scurrying back to hide. Other strategies include learning to notice and observe those feelings, rather than act on them and altering your Self Talk - that inner, often critical, voice - to a more constructive and encouraging tone, speaking to yourself as you would speak to your best friend; kindly and honestly but most importantly with love. 
Nudity literally bares all physically but also invites emotional and psychological openness. Baring all can be a major trigger for shame, as our culture uses shame to ensure compliance with the clothed norm. But once the learned norm of clothing is unlearned, usually through the supportive encouragement of other Naturists offering a kind and sympathetic welcome to newcomers, for many people Naturism is a revelation of freedom. In a Naturist environment no-one is judging, no-one is hiding behind clothing. Acceptance and respect are the norm. There is no longer a need to be ashamed and embarrassed about your body, in all its glorious reality. The social taboos linking nakedness and sex are eradicated, eliminating shame or worry about standing out or making yourself vulnerable. As a woman, even among the principally male Naturist community, I have found the non-sexual nude environment refreshingly non-threatening. 
Becoming a Naturist is an emotional ‘balancing act’, a product of developing an enhanced ability to reject and refute shame, expanding self-awareness and confidence, whilst
meeting a whole bunch of genuinely lovely people. 
 
Sheila Maycock 
MBACP (Accred) Family Therapist 

Events this weekend - and beyond!

This year has just flown for me! We’ve just passed the Summer Solstice, which means that we have the best daylight, best weather, and longest hours to continue to get in as many Naturist activities in as we can, hopefully whilst the sun shines! The weather has been a little indecisive, shall we say? Please remember water, keep hydrated, sun cream and maybe consider a jumper or rain mac too!
Find links to all the events mentioned, below.
It’s nearly time for Nudefest. We issued a press release which gives the media (and you) a peek into the fantastic line-up for the naked festival of the Year. I’m sure you will agree that the BN membership discount makes joining a no-brainer. Tell your friends! I am made up that the Holi Paint has skipped over from NKD! Just try it, maybe I’ll wear sunglasses, or googles, from previous experience, and dust as much off as you can before you attempt to shower!
After the euphoria of naked bike rides through the streets of London, Brighton, Edinburgh and Bristol there are more events this weekend and next at Chelmsford and Portsmouth! Some amazing photos are being posted on the members’ gallery (log in required).
Check out upcoming naked walks - it’s certainly been the weather for it lately - in Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, East Sussex and Essex.
If a beach in the sunshine is more your thing, we have three beach days under the banner of the Great British Skinny Dip. Join the North West region for their Annual Beach Day at the fabulous Morfa Dyffryn Beach in North Wales or the South West region at Ringstead Bay in Dorset. No booking needed for either, just remember sunscreen, towel and picnic and join friends for a day on the sun, sand, and skinny dipping! We’re also pleased to announce an event at Studland in conjunction with Dynamic Dunescapes and the National Trust on World Sand Dune Day, this Saturday. It’s an opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna, then help (naked) with conservation, clearing invasive species and litter. Numbers are limited, so do reserve your place.
Check out other Great British Skinny Dips happening soon, including at the iconic, outdoor lido at Peterborough this Saturday.
After a break of two years, the SANER region are  happy to welcome you back to the River Forth Boat Trip, sailing under three iconic bridges spanning the River Forth at South Queensferry on the Forth Princess, with a bar on board and live entertainment.
After a record naked Garden visits last week, there is another this week in one of Sussex's finest gardens. An ideal location to bring a friend and a picnic. The first weekend of July sees a naked visit to the National Trust’s Scotney Castle, in Kent. I am not sure which part of this event, stands out more? The picturesque 14th Century castle surrounded by a moat? The walled gardens? The add on Picnic hampers, which are actually cute little hampers? My girls would have their phones out for ‘the ‘gram’ - is it really real if it is not Instagram-able!).
 
Amanda
x
 
Camping
Nudefest 2022
Mon 04 Jul 2022 - Mon 11 Jul 2022
 
Walks
Leicestershire Naturist Walk - Hoby
Fri 24 Jun 2022, 12:30
Natram walk Sussex
Sun 26 2022 11:30 - 18:30
Stark Trekkers walk Brede Valley (E Sussex)
Mon 27 Jun 2022, 11:30-16:00
Natram walk Essex
Thu 30 Jun 2022, 11:30-18:30
Nettlebed Naturist Walk – 1st July 2022
Fri 01 Jul 2022, 12:30
 
 
World Naked Bike Rides
WNBR Chelmsford
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 14:00
WNBR Portsmouth 2 July 2022
Sat 02 Jul 2022, 11:00
 
The Great British Skinny Dip
Spectrum swim
Sat 18 Jun; Sat 25 Jun and  Sat 2 Jul 2022, 18:00 - 21:00
Morfa Dyffyn – North West Beach Day
Sat 25 Jun 2022
World Sand Dune Day - conservation work at Studland
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 15:00-17:00
Beach Day at Ringstead Bay Dorset
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 11:00
Peterborough Lido - Great British Skinny Dip
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 19:30-22:00
 
Other events including garden days
River Forth Boat Trip
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 15:00-17:00
High Beeches Garden
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 17:15-20:30
Haslemere Open Day
Sat 02 Jul 2022-Sun 03 Jul 2022
Naturist Yoga Class | Consett | Saturday 10:00-13:00
Sat 02 Jul 2022, 10:00-13:00
Visit to NT Scotney Castle
Sun 03 Jul 2022, 17:30-21:30
 
 
Swim meets
Club Naturel - Swim
Fri 24 Jun 2022, 20:00-22:00
Watford Naturist Swimming Club
Fri 24 Jun 2022 20:45 - 22:00
NORTH-WEST NATURISTS (Worsley Swim)
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 16:30-19:30
WirralNats Chester Swim
Sat 25 Jun 2022 18:15 - 20:00
Noah's Ark Naturist Swim
Sun 26 Jun 2022 16:00 - 18:00
Ryedale Naturist Club Swim
Sun 26 Jun 2022 15:00 - 17:00
Severn Vale Swimming Club
Sun 26 Jun 2022, 17:00-19:00
The Sunday Swim, Glasgow
Sun 26 Jun 2022, 18:30 - 21:15
The Potteries Swim
Sun 26 Jun 2022 19:30 - 20:30
Aquasol Swim
Wed 29 Jun 2022, 20:00 - 21:00
Manchester
Thu 30 Jun 2022, 19:00 - 20:30
Club Naturel
Fri 01 Jul 2022, 14:00 - 16:00
St. Anne’s beach day
Sat 02 Jul 2022, 11:00 - 16:00
Skinny Dip Aberdeen
Sat 02 Jul 2022
South Forest Leisure Centre
Sat 02 Jul 2022, 18:00 - 20:30
Forth
Sun 03 Jul 2022, 16:30 - 19:00
Studland Beach Day
Sun 03 Jul 2022
 
Events run by British Naturism - events.bn.org.uk
All other events (you can add your own!) - bn.org.uk/calendar
Online events - 20 each week! - shop.bn.org.uk/pages/online-home
The Great British Skinny Dip - greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk

Family Naturism – Someone is Missing: is it you?

Families have always been at the heart of the Naturist movement in the UK and the other day I saw this clearly demonstrated in some of the heritage photographs of the Sun-Folk Society (now British Naturism: Sunfolk).
Naturists often lament the fact that Naturism in the UK is depicted as mainly older men with few women and even fewer young people.  So what can we do to change this?  If we are to shift the balance to 50:50 males/females and bring in younger people one of the things we must surely do is focus on families.
Encouraging more young people into naturism must include an emphasis on families with young children.  Children will quite happily run around in the buff in the garden or on a beach.
But we all know it is when the children get older that it is often the adults around them who tell them that being naked in public is shameful or “wrong”.  Yet more and more people, particularly younger adults, are only too aware of the negative impact body shaming and body dysmorphia can have on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.  As Naturists we know that social nudity can have a positive impact on people’s lives so wouldn’t it be great if those young people could bring up their own families in a Naturist environment?
Young adults with families, like any group, need to see that British Naturism is relevant to them and one of the things that demonstrates this are images that reflect the fact that families are actively involved.
Families also need to feel welcomed and that their needs and interests are catered for.  Coming together as families and attending many of BN’s family-orientated events are important opportunities to practice family Naturism.  The Families Forum and regular online meet-ups are further examples of how BN supports families and parents. Some clubs also cater particularly well for families with separate facilities, play equipment or a children’s “den” for them to enjoy.
Something, or rather someone, is missing though!  The importance of family Naturism is recognised by British Naturism with the Executive Committee role of Families Officer, a role that unfortunately remains vacant.  If you currently have children under 18 years of age and would like to be involved in supporting, promoting and developing family Naturism why not consider the role? You will not be alone – there is a growing team of Regional Families contacts and a supportive group of parents and families who will welcome you with open arms.  You will also be supported by other EC members, the General Secretary and our fantastic events and marketing teams.
Further information about the role, including a role description, can be found on the BN forum (log in required). You can also have an informal chat about the role with John Gelder, Volunteering Officer, John Gelder or President, Mark Bass

Press release from British Naturism - it’s time for Nudefest 2022!

Nudefest - the biggest Naturist event in the UK.
Since its inception in 2007 as a small, weekend event, Nudefest has become the UK's biggest Naturist festival, attracting hundreds of people each year for a week of full-on fun and excitement, among like-minded people.
This year, it runs from 4th to 10th July at Thorney Lakes Caravan and Camping Park, Langport, Somerset. Activities include:
Masses of live music acts and entertainment Home-grown music at the Magic Teapot and karaoke A circus show Health and wellbeing including meditation, massage, yoga, fitness and aerobics classes, and sauna Sports, crafts, workshops, presentations, demonstrations and talks on a wide variety of topics A visit to the Cider Brandy Farm Body-painting Slip ’n’ slide  
British Naturism Events Manager and Nudefest organiser Mark Walsh said:
Nudefest is an important part of the year for so many Naturists. There is so much to do and see, but the real highlight for me is bringing the community together. People from all over the UK converge in Somerset for a week, meet old faces and form new friendships, all in an incredible body-positive setting.
 
British Naturism National Spokesman Andrew Welch said:
‘Participation in Naturism in the UK is on the rise like never before, with people now realising that Victorian attitudes to simple human nudity are completely outdated. We’re all the same underneath and it’s liberating to discover that there is no such thing as the perfect body. British Naturism has already welcomed over 500 new members in 2022 and through projects like the Great British Skinny Dip and our partnership with British Heart Foundation, we’re spreading the word far and wide about this relaxing, exhilarating - and above all, fun - way of being.
 
A handful of last-minute pitches are available - book at nudefest.co.uk
Media attendance is possible, with advance notice. We have people willing to be interviewed/photographed and stock photos for media use.
 
The event is kindly sponsored by:
Cypress Cove - cypresscoveresort.com
Hidden Valley - hiddenvalley.uk
BHH Naturist resort - naturistcanaries.com
 
For further information please visit:
nudefest.co.uk
bn.org.uk
 
Or contact:
BN national spokesman
Andrew Welch andrew.welch@bn.org.uk; 07774 955138
 

The Forum Live - visiting Vera Playa

We're off on our virtual travels next Monday, 27th June, as we welcome a panel of BN members who own apartments or regularly visit Vera Playa in the Almeria region of southern Spain. We also hope to hear from someone from Vera Playa Club hotel.
Vera Playa, as the name suggests, refers principally to the long, sandy nude beach, but a little town has grown up around it, including the hotel, many apartment blocks in 'urbanisations', restaurants, cafés and other entertainment. As you can see from the picture, nudity is not limited to the beach!
Access the (free) session via the BN shop.

Press release from British Naturism - The Great British Skinny Dip 2022!

This summer, thousands of people across the UK will be taking the plunge and skinny dipping to raise money for British Heart Foundation (BHF) while experiencing the exhilaration  of being naked. They will improve their mental and physical health and well-being, boost their body confidence, and reduce their stress. They will also have great fun.
The Great British Skinny Dip is 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 Participation in Naturism is on the rise, with BN reporting significant increases in new joiners since the 2020 lockdown.
 
Andrew Welch, National spokesman for British Naturism said:
‘Naturism as a lifestyle has been linked to many health benefits including stress relief, body confidence, mental health, well-being and the pure enjoyment and sense of liberation! The Great British Skinny Dip offers the opportunity for people to get involved in a fun way whilst raising funds for a fantastic national charity and to discover that, despite convention, there’s nothing to compare with swimming without a costume.
We want to add even more skinny dips before the summer is out. If you know of a suitable, safe swimming venue - pools, leisure centres, lakes, rivers, beaches - please consider hosting an event. You’ll find masses of resources to help you on our website.’
 
Emily Lyle, 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.’
 
Find events in your area on the BN calendar and location map
 
For more information/comment on individual skinny dips please make contact with the named organisers.
Media attendance is possible, with advance notice. Please check with individual organisers.
 
For general information on the Great British Skinny Dip, British Naturism or Naturism generally, please visit
greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk
bn.org.uk
 
BN contact
Andrew Welch andrew.welch@bn.org.uk; 07774 955138.
We have people willing to be interviewed/photographed and stock photos for media use.
 
For information on British Heart Foundation, please visit:
bhf.org.uk
 
BHF contact
Emily Lyle lylee@bhf.org.uk

Events this weekend and beyond!

The weather is glorious right now, and promises to become even hotter by the weekend - 31 degrees where I am! Who needs to be abroad this week, when we have all this on offer in the UK? Please remember to use sunscreen, reapply, and remember to hydrate frequently!
What an amazing week for what has been planned! Find links to all the events mentioned, below.
This weekend we have a choice of camping weekends. British Naturism: Sunfolk host our first Pride Weekend, under the theme EveryBODY Welcome. The emphasis for the weekend is all inclusive with an LGBTQ+ theme. There are some planned activities including yoga, Miniten, a BBQ, campfire, and chat sessions. As it is all inclusive, you do not have to be from the LGBTQ+ community to come and enjoy it.
Liverpool Sun and Air Society invites members of British Naturism to Midsummer fest 2022. Tents, caravans, motorhomes, and day visitors are welcome.Rosslyn Naturists Clothing Optional Week returns - bring tents, caravans, motor homes or hire shepherd's huts. At Mournes Bunkhouse Weekend there’s a chance for a dip or a walk outdoors with tents and Glamping Tents available.
Tuesday is World Naked Hiking Day, so how else would we celebrate? There are plenty of walks to choose from.
After the euphoria of naked bike rides through the streets of London and Brighton, there are more events this weekend - at Edinburgh and Bristol.
If a beach in the sunshine is more your thing, we have three beach days under the banner of the Great British Skinny Dip. Join the North West region for their Annual Beach Day at the fabulous Morfa Dyffryn Beach in North Wales or the South West region at Ringstead Bay in Dorset. No booking needed for either, just remember sunscreen, towel and picnic and join friends for a day on the sun, sand, and skinny dipping! Finally, there’s a  beach day in Cornwall at Summerleaze beach in Bude. We’re also pleased to announce an event at Studland in conjunction with Dynamic Dunescapes and the National Trust on World Sand Dune Day, 25th June. It’s an opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna, then help with conservation, clearing invasive species and litter. Numbers are limited, so do reserve your place.
Check out other Great British Skinny Dips happening soon, including at the iconic, outdoor lido at Peterborough on the 25th June.
After a break of two years, the SANER region are  happy to welcome you back to the River Forth Boat Trip, sailing under three iconic bridges spanning the River Forth at South Queensferry on the Forth Princess, with a bar on board and live entertainment.
What a week it has been for garden visits! If you haven’t been to one of them, don’t worry, you haven’t missed out completely. Check out events at Burrows Gardens in Derbyshire, Fullers Mill in Suffolk, Alnwick in Northumberland, and High Beeches in Sussex.
If you are still reading, thank you, I do give a lot of information, but please remember to stay hydrated and lots of sunscreen! Most of all enjoy this beautiful weather in the way we Naturists know best!
Amanda
x
 
Event details
 
Camping
Sunfolk Pride Weekend
Fri 17 Jun 2022-Sun 19 Jun 2022
Midsummer fest 2022
Fri 17 Jun 2022 -Sun 19 Jun 2022
Rosslyn Naturists Clothing Optional Week
Fri 17 Jun 2022-Sun 26 Jun 2022
Mournes Bunkhouse Weekend
Fri 17 Jun 2022 -Sun 19 Jun 2022
 
Walks
Naturist Walk Syde-Whiteway Near Cheltenham (World naked Hiking Day)
Tue 21 Jun 2022, 11:00-16:30
World Naked Hiking Day - Stewkley Naturist Walk
Tue 21 Jun 2022, 12:30
Natram walk King's Castle
Wed 22 Jun 2022, 11:30-18:30
Leicestershire Naturist Walk - Hoby
Fri 24 Jun 2022, 12:30
 
 
World Naked Bike Rides
Edinburgh World Naked Bike Ride
Sat 18 Jun 2022, 13:00 - 16:00
WNBR Bristol | 19 June 2022
Sun 19 Jun 2022, 12:30
 

Beach days and Great British Skinny Dips
South West Bude Skinny Dip
Sun 19 Jun 2022, 07:30-13:00
Morfa Dyffyn – North West Beach Day
Sat 25 Jun 2022
World Sand Dune Day - conservation work at Studland
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 15:00-17:00
Beach Day at Ringstead Bay Dorset
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 11:00
Spectrum swim
Sat 18 Jun and Sat 25 Jun 2022, 18:00 - 21:00
Peterborough Lido - Great British Skinny Dip
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 19:30-22:00
 

Other events including garden visits
Burrows Gardens Visit
Sat 18 Jun 2022, 12:00- 16:30
River Forth Boat Trip
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 15:00-17:00
Fullers Mill Garden
Sat 18 Jun 2022, 17:30-20:00
Alnwick Garden visit
Sun 19 Jun 2022, 18:30-20:30
High Beeches Garden
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 17:15-20:30
 
 
Swim meets
Club Naturel - Swim
Fri 17 Jun 2022, 14:00-16:00
Watford Naturist Swimming Club
Fri 20:45-22:00
WirralNats Chester Swim
Sat 18:15-20:15
MNSC Swim - Newmarket
Sat 18 Jun 2022, 16:30-17:30
South Forest swim, Edwinstowe
Sat 18 Jun 2022, 18:00-20:30
Forth Naturist Swim at Haddington
Sun 19 Jun 2022, 16:30-19:00
WICKLOW SWIM
Sun 19 Jun 2022, 17:00-18:30
Wyvern Sun and Swim Sun 19 Jun 2022, 18:30-20:30
Nudie Dudie Swim
Sun 15:30-16:30
Noah's Ark Naturist Swim
Sun, 16:00-18:00
Ryedale Naturist Club Swim
Sun 15:00-17:00
Nudie Dudie Swim
Sun 15:30-16:30
Severn Vale Swimming Club
Sun 17:00-19:00
The Potteries Swim
Sun 19:30-20:30
Forth Naturist Swim at Haddington
Sun 19 Jun 2022, 16:30-17:00
WICKLOW SWIM
Sun 19 Jun 2022, 17:00-18:30
Plymouth Sun Club
Mon 20 Jun 2022, 20:30-21:30
Club Naturel - Swim
Fri 24 Jun 2022, 20:00-22:00
NORTH-WEST NATURISTS (Worsley Swim)
Sat 25 Jun 2022, 16:30-19:30
Severn Vale Swimming Club
Sun 26 Jun 2022, 17:00-19:00
Monaghan Swim
Sun 26 Jun 2022, 18:00-20:00
 

Celebrating World Sand Dune Day - Studland Bay, June 25th

Dynamic Dunescapes is a fantastic project aimed at restoring sand dunes in England and Wales for the benefit of wildlife, people and communities. It’s a collaboration between National Trust, Natural England and other bodies. Representatives have been frequent guests on The Forum Live.
The last Saturday in June has now been established as World Sand Dune Day – and on 25th June, British Naturism’s South West Region and Dynamic Dunescapes are partnering for an event at Studland Beach!
BN members ae invited to help out with some conservation work on the dunes on the Naturist area of the beach from 3-5 pm, followed by a skinny dip and social. The event is free, but spaces are limited and so please reserve your place.
Dynamic Dunescapes also has a range of other online and in-person events planned at its sand dune sites for the weekend of the 25th, and in the weeks running up to the big day. You can find out more here: https://dynamicdunescapes.co.uk/world-sand-dune-day/. (They’ve even listed our event!)
 
Image: Charlotte Brown

World Naked Hiking Day - next week!

BN's Sports Officer, Ian Munt reports
World Naked Hiking Day (WNHD) takes place this year on June 21st, conveniently the Summer Solstice. It's an unofficial event in the same way as World Naked Gardening Day is, but encourages those who have not tried social nudity before to join in with groups of likeminded people to experience being naked in nature in a safe environment.
More and more people are taking to walking without clothes. In the UK, we are fortunate that it is perfectly legal to be naked in nature following much work including that by BN.
Walking around the countryside naked is liberating, the feeling of the sun and breeze on your skin as you are out in nature is wonderful - combined with the fact you are with friends and have a good old chat. Nothing quite beats it in my opinion.
There are plenty of opportunities to get out walking to celebrate the day - on the day itself and on the 22nd, 24th and 27th of June in Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, East Sussex , Leicestershire, and Hampshire - all great opportunities for anyone who would love to walk Naked in Nature, so why not come and join us!
Find all the details on the BN calendar

A Jubilee weekend trip to remember...

Andy Wyman reports...
Naked dining in pubs and restaurants, canal trips, museums, gardens, nuclear bunkers and sculpture parks! What would BN's Eastern Region come up with for the Jubilee weekend? Andrew and Kalah made their debuts as event organisers with a cruise on a magnificent Thames barge. This isn’t the sort of thing you get on a canal. It’s a big sea going sailing vessel. We arrived in Maldon, Essex and boarded the splendid Hydrogen, the oldest surviving Thames barge, which was built in 1906. In its day it carried 200 tons of cargo (usually tar, creosote or oil) in its tanks. The ship has two masts and uses three sails or the motor which was fitted much later.
The ship has been carefully restored and now has a bar and dining room in the hold where 39 of us enjoyed a splendid buffet. On arrival the boat seemed high and dry in the mud but the River Blackwater rises quickly with the tide. We were docked in a very busy harbour so the crew asked us to remain dressed until we were underway. The sun came out occasionally and made nudity on deck just about acceptable. Unfortunately there was also a pretty cool wind which challenged us all at times. Even some of the hardiest of the men who never seem to wear anything on BN walks when to me the weather is Siberian succumbed to a fleece!
It was a fantastic spectacle on board though, especially when they unfurled one of the sails. Most of us posed at the beautifully restored wheel and imagined ourselves as Nelson or Drake! There was also a spot of rope pulling but generally we all lazed around like spoilt first class passengers! As usual the best part of any BN event is chatting away with others. It was really good to meet up with several people new to Naturism and their response to the event was pleasing to see. The usual response was roll on the next trip.
So what will Eastern Region come up with next to trump this event? One thing is for sure ….. it will have to be pretty special.

How it Started - Emma's story

It may have been having children (and everything connected with giving birth) that began to change how I felt about my body and my attitude to wearing clothes. Whether it was the realisation that my body had achieved so much more than just being my physical self, the time constraints caused by new-born twins, or a combination of both, I became more accepting of how I looked, and less concerned about how other people thought I looked. Whatever the cause, it led to my spending more time at home without clothes, and for the next four years that’s as close to being a Naturist as I came. 
Then my husband Stephen heard a plea on Radio 2 for volunteers to take part in the Sea of Hull photographic installation to commemorate Hull being the City of Culture in 2017. He mentioned it quite flippantly, but I love art, and he knows I am often up for things that are unusual! I signed up online to be one of 3000 people who would be photographed by Spencer Tunick, wearing only blue body paint and, representing the water that is so important to Hull’s history. 
My mum also agreed to put her name down, which wasn’t a particularly big deal because we never expected to be invited to take part, but to my surprise a few weeks later, the two of us were stood in a park in Hull at 5:00 am, holding a tub of blue paint and expected to get undressed in the presence of a crowd of strangers. We nearly bottled out, but mustered the courage to join in, and it didn’t take long for it to feel like the most natural thing in the world. Once everyone was naked it was fantastic and like being part of a special club. One of the photographs of the event now has pride of place in our living room. 
By this time our twin daughters were four years old and had absolutely no inhibitions about their appearance—whether wearing clothes or not—and I felt that showing them what I had taken part in would hopefully give them an appreciation of what is possible and the realities of human bodies as they age. 
Save for one visit to Eastney beach in Portsmouth—Stephen was hesitant, but joined in when he saw how confident and comfortable I was—I didn’t have any more Naturist opportunities until I saw the Great British Skinny Dip advertised in 2019. I decided to go along to Little Barbrook Reservoir, taking my husband, daughters and one-year old son along. It took me a few minutes to muster up the courage again, but once in the water I had a great time, and that, seemingly combined with feeling awkward about being the only person still wearing clothes, convinced Stephen to join me in the water. 
Each time Stephen was growing a little more in confidence. With the occasional exception, had spent our daughters’ childhood being very conservative about what he wore in their presence, but the combination of my attitude to being undressed, and the realisation that our girls’ first sighting of a naked male body might be on a phone screen in circumstances that no parent would choose, led him to re- evaluate his views and with that, he began to come around to my way of thinking. 
Between lockdowns in the summer of 2020, we made it to the south coast and visited the Naturist beach at Budleigh Salterton. Another Naturist spoke to me while we were there and I couldn’t help thinking there was something quite surreal about being stood outside, talking to a stranger, while both of us were completely naked – something that quite a few people would shriek at just the notion of, but I found being on the beach completely exhilarating and like nothing else. When it was time to leave, I was loathe to have to have to get dressed to walk back to the car park! 
I’d heard of a Naturist swim that takes place locally, at Edwinstowe. I was keen to go, but not on my own. Mum— and Dad— were up for it. Stephen’s fear of missing out convinced him too! I also discovered that children were welcome and able to wear their swimsuits. They loved their first visit and I was content that they were seeing that happiness doesn’t rely on the naked human body resembling something out of a magazine. One-by-one, however, they have decided that swimwear isn’t necessary —if there’s even a small chance that they will grow up without being hung-up about their appearance, we would consider it to be an achievement. Mum and Dad also plan on coming again. They were a little hesitant at first, more so my Mum as she is very self conscious of the psoriasis that covers her whole body, but soon they were comfortable and enjoying the swim. My mum realised no one was judging her on how she looked. It was whilst at the swim we learned about British Naturism and decided to join. We’ve never looked back! 
When telling friends about my Naturist experiences, the responses I’ve received have been invariably in the form of, ‘There’s absolutely no way that I could do that’, to which I feel a mixture of pride that I can do that, but also sadness that they feel that way. I hope to be able to convince more people to give it a go. I’m confident once they’ve tried it they won’t look back either. 
Emma Farrell

Is it British Naturism's naked garden week?

...actually no, but you could be forgiven for thinking so!
As the weather warms up this week, it's a perfect time to make a visit to one of these great gardens and enjoy them as nature intended:
Wed 15 June - Houghton Lodge in Hampshire
Wed 15 June - Dorothy Clive in Staffordshire
Sat 18 June - Burrows Gardens in Derbyshire
Sat 18 June - Fullers Mill in Suffolk
Sun 19 June - Alnwick in Northumberland
Sat 25 June - High Beeches in Sussex    Image credit: sskips

Could You Be Our New Administrative Assistant?

British Naturism has a fantastic job opportunity available - we are looking for an Administrator to join our friendly, welcoming team.  British Naturism has an extremely broad portfolio of activities including the organisation of local events, communicating information, and working with the many Naturist clubs around the country.  Many of these activities require admin support, and you will work with our amazing team of volunteers and staff to make British Naturism the best it can possibly be.
The ideal candidate will be organised, enthusiastic, customer focused and a good communicator, plus a professional and confident manner is essential.  This is a paid, part-time, 12 month fixed-term contract with the opportunity for renewal.
Location: Working remotely
Hours: 15 hours per week
If you have good communication and IT skills, have an interest in Naturism and enjoy working as part of a team, then this job could be for you.
Contact Tracey Major, General Secretary to find out more about this paid job opportunity or send your CV to:
general.secretary@bn.org.uk
Closing date for applications - Sunday 26th June 2022

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