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The Forum Live - interviewing Torben Larsen of Danske Naturister

As The Forum Live approaches its second birthday, we can reflect on the wide range of guests and topics we've brought direct to your living room on a Monday night. It is especially pleasing to count the number of representatives from Naturist federations and groups overseas to whom we have extended friendship, and heard about the work being done for Naturists and Naturism in other countries. The global reach and understanding is perhaps even more relevant during these dark times for Europe. Our guests have included people from Mexico, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, France, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, South Africa, and America. We also hosted the Global Naturist Forum. 
Our tour continues and next Monday (28 March) I will have the pleasure of speaking to Torben Larsen, chairman of Danske Naturister (DN) in Denmark.
Torben has been a member of the Danish Naturists for the last 10 years, but a Naturist for at least 40. He was elected as chairman of the DN committee in 2018 and expects to be re-elected to the post at the DN general meeting in June this year. DN has 1000 members and is divided into 9 independent communities - 4 in Jutland, 1 in Funen and 4 in Zealand.
Torben says, 'I am keen on subverting the prejudice that says sex and nudity are inseparable concepts, and I am addicted to the liberate-the-body case and persistently work towards acceptance of public nudity. Why confine nudity to limited spaces? I have been arranging several events and performances in public concerning this, and on the 21st of May this year I am invited to a public meeting in Jutland (in the nude, of course) to defend my views.'
I look forward to seeing you all - access the session via this link (log in required)
 

Celebrating two years on BN's online naked yoga!

Come and join Georgia today and on Friday to mark the second anniversary of our globally-popular online naked yoga classes with 108 sun salutations.
Georgia says, 'Last year we came together to complete 52 rounds, one for each week of the year we spent together online. This year, we are going to turn to the traditional 108 Sun Salutations (54 rounds for you). 
There are two opportunities for you to join us, Tuesday 22nd 10:00 for an accessible Chair Yoga adaptation and Friday 25th for our more traditional Sun Salutation. 
We’re aiming for 108 but you can come and do as many as your body needs! If that's 10, 20, 54 or 108, thats great.
 
Why 108? 
108 is a sacred number in many ways and appears in lots of places! 
- Mama bead necklaces have 108 beads, used for counting in meditation 
- In Ayurveda there are 108 sacred points on the body 
- The distance between the Sun and Earth is roughly 108 times the Sun’s diameter. 
- In Buddhism, it is believed that the road to nirvana is laden with 108 temptations. 
- Stonehenge has a diameter of 108 feet.
 
The heat we each build up in this Vinyasa practice can be cleansing, detoxifying and helps us to connect to ourselves and others practicing. It can help to unlock stagnant energy and unblock emotions. 108 Sun Salutations can be challenging, but a challenge is good, we find strength in ourselves to carry on or we listen to our bodies and rest. 
108 is the goal, the intention - and any number on the way is perfect too. 
These sessions are open to BN members and free to attend, but it would be great if we could raise some money for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. If you can donate £5/£10/£15 anything at all it would be really great.'
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/strippedbackyoga

Hey! It's Great British Skinny Dip season again!

The past few sunny days should remind us that warmer weather is approaching. And that means it’s time to throw off our clothes and jump (responsibly!) into a pool, lido, pond, lake, river or sea – for the Great British Skinny Dip!
Why do we do this?
·       To encourage acceptance of and participation in Naturism across the nation and beyond.
·       To promote greater understanding of Naturism and Social Nudity.
·       To emphasis the benefits of Naturism, including body confidence and well-being.
·       And last, but certainly not least, because the BN supports the UK’s largest heart charity, the British Heart Foundation, and we want to encourage participants to raise vital funds to power the nation’s heartbeats.
Events are being added all the time!
It’s only March but there are already dips to sign up for, including the Beacon Tarn Naked Walk & Skinny Dip and five beach days, in Cornwall, North Wales, Essex, Northern Ireland and Dorset.
Keep checking the GBSD calendar: EVENTS CALENDAR — Great British Skinny Dip for more events.
 
What next?
We need your help!
First - and we’re looking at you, owners and manager of suitable venues – to host GBSD events around the country. I HAVE A VENUE — Great British Skinny Dip
Then - if you’d like to host an event yourself but don’t have a venue - to check here for ways we can help make it happen.  I DON'T HAVE A VENUE — Great British Skinny Dip
And finally - we’d like you to sign up for dips and other GBSD events. They’re great opportunities to introduce friends to the joys of naked swimming.
Let’s make GBSD 2022 a year to remember! After all, what have you got to lose… besides your clothing?
 

Stronger Twogether - Two Naturists, One Ocean

BN members and recently-married couple Jooles and Ian Paillin-Dean are preparing to row the Atlantic as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge race. BN magazine caught up with them to find out more about it - and how you can help!
For Jooles, water has, quite literally, always been part of her life. Her first time on a boat was in her parents arms at just five days old. Since that time she has predominantly lived either on it—both her parents own and, until very recently, lived on Dutch Barges—or beside it. She and Ian currently live in a quirky old lock cottage on the banks of the river Soar along with two children, two cats, and at least five boats.
The seeds for the idea of rowing the Atlantic were sowed during her childhood, reading Imogen’s War and A Fighting Chance - the story of how Captain John Ridgeway and Sergeant Chay Blyth rowed across the Atlantic in a 20ft open boat.
Fast forward 15 or so years. There was disappointment after training hard to compete at the highly prestigious Henley Regatta in the lightweight women’s double when Jooles discovered the class had been removed for that year and if she and her partner wanted to complete they had to take on ‘heavyweight’ rowers who outweighed and out-stretched them. They failed to reach the final. Worse was to come when she tore an inch-long hole in her abdominal muscle which brought a halt to training for a while. During her forced break Jooles had time to reflect and made the decision to find a way to compete on a level playing field against all others regardless of gender, experience, size, strength or disability, subsequently finding a sport that ticked all those boxes - ocean rowing!
Jooles got to work and put a team together called 'The Transatlantic Trio’. For comfort reasons most ocean rowers will spend a significant amount of time at sea naked. Jooles was already used to a certain amount of nudity having posed for photographer friends and was aware of the Naturist world since her best friend is BN President Mark Bass, who had been trying to get her to come to an event for years. After Mark had taken some promotional shots for the Atlantic event (one of which made the cover of our British Naturism magazine) she swam nude at an event at Peterborough lido and came to BN’s Alton Towers weekend. At the latter, she rowed a solo half marathon solo, naked in the hotel reception area to raise awareness of the campaign (and loved the epic naked disco, fierce water volleyball contests and being part of the amazing Naturist community).
Shortly afterwards she took a trip with the team to watch the start of the 2019 in the small Canary island of La Gomera. Watching the race preparation, meeting the rowers, and learning the lie of the land was so vital to her and the team came back inspired, motivated and looking forward to being in the race the following year.
But it wasn’t to be. In December 2019, Jooles met up with her childhood sweetheart who had been hiding the fact from work and friends that he had been battling paraganglioma, an incurable cancer, for two years already and was quite depressed. Jooles knew she could not let him go through it by himself. The emotional attachment of first love meant they quickly formed a solid relationship with their respective children, bonding over games of Monopoly, escape rooms and crazy golf. They attended doctor and hospital appointments together, and even flew to Florida to attend an exhibition and give his son a holiday at Universal Studios. Her partner passed away in March. Just days later the world was turned upside down and the UK went into the first lockdown. Jooles had lost her partner and now her business because of CV-19. It took every ounce of energy to homeschool her two girls and to try and figure out a way to get back on track. Now a BN member, she turned to British Naturism and suggested running online aerobics classes. They were launched in July 2020 and soon became a staple in the BN online calendar. Later she became a licensed GroovX instructor and ran those classes - the first, and still the only - GroovX classes in the UK conducted in the nude!
Things were improving - helped by her involvement in the Naturist community - but living in isolation through the stress and trauma of a pandemic didn’t help. Still grieving, the team knew in their hearts that it wasn't sensible to take her out to sea for 50 or 60 days, and so decided she couldn’t participate. The Atlantic Challenge had been one of the only things keeping her going, something to look forward to and to achieve.
At the première of an ocean rowing documentary by a team of three record-breaking ladies called 'Pacific Terrific’ she had met one of the team, Cazz Lander, and was introduced to one of Cazz's close friends, Ian Dean. Though she didn’t know it, Ian referred to her as "The next Mrs Dean" for the following two years. They’d connected on social media and after a chance meeting in the supermarket they arranged to take the now famous ‘lockdown walk’ that everyone was doing as it was the only vaguely fun and legal activity that was allowed! Things moved quickly - helped by being forced to isolate together for three weeks - and before long Ian took his first baby steps into becoming a Naturist at another Peterborough Lido event, BN’s online events and a fabulous Alton Towers weekend.
Ian had also confessed he wanted to row an ocean too and Team ‘Stronger Twogether' was born. All they needed was £125,000 to buy an ocean rowing boat, pay the race fees, pay for shipping, food, safety equipment… They decided to get married in December to tie in a mini-moon to La Gomera to see the 2021 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge race start and celebrate Jooles' 41st birthday. It might not have been a naked wedding, but they did manage a naked dance with a veil on the beach at sunrise.
 
How you can support Stronger Twogether!
The next few weeks are critical for the success of the project as Ian and Jooles need to raise  the money required for the boat - they can’t train on her until fully paid for - equipment and other fees and purchases.
There are many ways to contribute via donations large and small. See the website for details.
strongertwogether.co.uk
 
Please note that whilst we are happy to promote this initiative by our members it is unconnected with British Naturism’s activities.
 

Events this weekend - and beyond!

There are lots of great opportunities for nude recreation and enjoying time with like-minded people coming up - live and online - check out the links below to find details of them all! You'll be amazed at the variety. Got an event you want to promote? Login to the BN website and add it to the calendar.

It's St Patrick's Day this week - and we're celebrating with an all-evening online session on Friday 18th, including a quiz, Irish pub and disco, with breakout rooms for chat. There's even a menu suggestion...
If swimming is your thing, you’ll find swims around the country this weekend. Naked Southampton resumes this Saturday with a Great British Skinny Dip at Oaklands pool. You can also join the people from the Spectrum Swim in Birmingham. Plenty of Great British Skinny Dips have been added in the last couple of weeks - check them out! 
There's naked dining in Cambridgeshire on Sunday, and, in conjunction with BN's LASER region another on 26 March has been announced, this time in Surrey - come and join us for a great Saturday night out. The dress code is flexible and so it's a perfect opportunity to bring friends who'd like to find out more about nude gatherings.
Two sporting tournaments are on the horizon - the BN national swimming gala, and the BN national pétanque competition. Both are mostly about having fun but winners may find themselves being selected for Team GB for the International tournaments later in the year. How cool is that?

Keep an eye on all our events by using these links:
Events run by British Naturism - events.bn.org.uk
All other events (you can add your own!) - bn.org.uk/calendar
Online events - 20 each week! - shop.bn.org.uk/pages/online-home
The Great British Skinny Dip - greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk
 
Photo by Hansjörg Keller on Unsplash
 

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

A face-to-face meeting for the Executive Committee
For what seemed like an eternity, but was in fact about 18 months, the Executive Committee (EC) has been meeting via Zoom. This was, of course, necessitated by the pandemic, but it caused us to think about arrangements for the future.
The advantage of this arrangement has been that we have been able to hold monthly, rather than quarterly, meetings, making the organisation more agile and able to respond to events. Virtual meetings also have the advantage of avoiding travel – in some cases over considerable distances. But there is no getting away from the fact that meeting via videoconference is very different from the immediacy of a face-to-face meeting: it seems remote and makes quiet exchanges in the margins of the meeting impossible.
For those reasons the EC planned to hold at least one face-to-face meeting every year. It proved impossible in 2020 because of the continuing pandemic. But on a cold and snowy day at the end of November 2021, we convened with considerable pleasure at the Studio Venue in Birmingham. Some members were meeting others in person for the first time. And being together in one room allowed the EC to consider, alongside routine matters, some more strategic questions about the future of British Naturism as an organisation. That work is far from complete and needs more work before it is ready for publication.
The meeting also agreed the budget for 2022, adopted financial control, anti-corruption and expenses policies, and corporate objectives for 2022 (dull, some readers might think, but important!)
We also welcomed Lachlan Robertson to the meeting in his new role of partnerships officer, and embarked on a useful discussion about who the key targets and main priorities should be in the field. Lachlan plans to make overtures to the National Trust, as a start, as well as writing to police commissioners in England with a view to creating constructive relationships with both.
As with all EC meetings, you can find the minutes on the members’ online forum under BN News and Announcements and in the Downloads area. (log in required)
Bookkeeping and accountancy arrangements
Regular readers will be aware that it has not yet proved possible to recruit a volunteer finance director for the organisation. Over recent months the Board has been looking at what arrangements could be made to lighten the workload attaching to that role. The simplest way to do this will be to buy in professional services to cover regular bookkeeping and accountancy, allowing a future finance director to focus more on bigger strategic issues. Inevitably a cost attaches to this, and this has been allowed for in the budget for 2022.
We are speaking to a number of people who have the requisite skills to provide support to our organisation in this area, and we would continue to welcome expressions of interest.
Relaunch of regional newsletters
The Board has looked carefully at how, consistently with data protection requirements, regional newsletters could be reintroduced and sent out by email. Their absence had created significant practical difficulties especially for regions themselves. We’re pleased to say the new system, agreed within the EC, was launched in February. It requires members who wish to receive newsletters to actively subscribe – you can do this through the Membership area of the BN website. Check to see whether you are subscribed. You are not limited to your own region – which might be helpful if you live near a regional boundary and would like to know what is going in on in a neighbouring area.
Sunfolk
In January we received the very welcome, if overdue, news that our application for planning permission to redevelop and improve the Sunfolk site near St Albans had been granted. Members of the Board allowed themselves to breathe a collective sigh of relief. But now the real work starts. It will represent a major investment of money by BN and of time by volunteers, but the prize should be a first-class Naturist site that meets the promise made to the former trustees of the Sun-Folk Society that we wanted it to meet a gold standard.
We will be working toward carrying out the most significant work during autumn and winter this year and early next. This will mean ending the summer season early, but we are sure it will be worth it.
Jon Williams, BN Vice Chair, has put a huge amount of time and effort into this project and it’s great to see the vision finally given the green light.
General briefing paper on Naturism
In response to numerous examples of misreporting and misunderstanding of Naturism in the press, we have produced a generalised briefing paper with a view to relevant sections of it being deployed as needed. It sets out clearly the legal position regarding outdoor nudity in public places. It also explains what Naturism is, and lists some of the many positive reasons why people choose to embrace our way of life. There are numerous facts and figures and links to sources for further information. We are very grateful to the members who contributed. We expect to launch it soon - it will be a resource for everyone to use when they see poor or misleading mentions of Naturism.
Ask the Executive
We hosted another online “Ask the Executive” session in the “Forum Live” slot on 13 December. We sought to give the event a little more structure than on previous occasions and it seemed to work well. Among other things, some of the new regional co-ordinators took the opportunity to introduce themselves. The next session takes place next week - 21 March. 
 
Edwin Kilby

Naked Fitness weekends

We have two fitness breaks scheduled for the year hosted at British Naturism: Sunfolk near St Albans.
Spring Fitness Weekend - 23rd & 24th April
Summer Fitness Weekend – 30th & 31st July
Join Georgia (Naked Yoga), Jooles (GroovX Fitness) and Roy (Group Fitness) for a weekend of focussed fitness, wellbeing, and meditation.
The two-day live fitness events cost only £99 per person and include a pitch. You can extend your stay to either 3 or 4 nights for an additional £19. You are also welcome to stay in a local hotel or travel in for the days.
The weekends features great community spirit, nights round the campfire plus plenty of time to relax and enjoy the pool and sauna.
Booking is now open!
 

Announcing the 2022 BN Swimming Gala

We’re delighted to announce that the BN swimming gala is back! An annual event pre-pandemic, it was always one of the big events of the year - and winners are eligible to compete for BN in the INF Swimming Gala later in the year. Representing your country - how cool is that?
The gala takes place on the 7th May and is open to British Naturism members and guests from British Naturism member Clubs. It takes place in a 25 metre, 8-lane short-course competition pool featuring starting blocks and electronic timing.
Whilst the gala itself is run as a serious swimming competition, it is also a fun place to allow members to have-a-go and challenge themselves. There is always a great atmosphere. You can take part even if you don’t believe you are the best swimmer! Most races are two lengths of the pool.
You must register in advance. Visit the BN shop for details.

The Forum Live Debate: How do we engage with venues to organise Naturist events?

Over the last two years we have seen an explosion of smaller, regional events alongside the expansion of national events.  More events mean more opportunity, more choice and less travel and are a great way to enrich the community.  Also, the more events there are, the easier it is for new people to give Naturism a try!
In The Forum Live Debate this month we will think about how prospective venues might be approached to start new activities.  What methods of making contact might work, how do we pique interest, what are the pitfalls to avoid.
Hopefully the session will provide food for thought and provide a start point for even more people to set something up, even if it is just a small gathering with friends.
 

Naturist women are celebrating International Women's Day

At a time where there is such uncertainty and disharmony in the world, we celebrate International Women’s day.  An opportunity for women to stand up and demand equality and break the bias. Individually, we are responsible for our own behaviours but united we can start to make a change.  Women in Naturism are no different. A community of women who are passionate advocates for nudity and Naturism, we should have the right to choose to keep our clothes off without being subjected to our bodies being sexualised.  In this digital age of social media, many women are standing proud and sharing their love for Naturism by posting images and stories online in an effort to remove the stigma. 
There are many different reasons why women choose Naturism and different ways of discovering it.  For some, it has been a partner introducing them to it, others stumbling across it while on holiday or those who were raised in a Naturist environment. Regardless of their route into social nudity, many women become ambassadors for Naturism and want to encourage others to try it.
There are many reasons why women are reluctant to try Naturism. Fear of being judged for not having what the media considers “a beautiful body” ranks highly. Linda Weber, from AANR (American Association for Nude Recreation) says, 'The media is full of articles and pictures of what women are "expected" to look like. The focus on being young and thin with no imperfections is unattainable, yet we hold women to this unreal standard. You have to "peel the onion" to remove the layers of shame, embarrassment, lack of body positivity, religious and societal expectations.'  Steph McManus of Bodyfreedom International says, 'There is a fear of being objectified by men and  being judged by other women. The way we compare ourselves to other women is haunting.' 
As a society, there is much women can do to support other women who may be curious about Naturism.  Anna Woodings, says 'Each woman that gets involved is not only showing her own commitment and support to Naturism but also taking part in a lifestyle that helps to empower, breaks media-led rules about the type of bodies that should be seen naked, desexualises nudity by helping to make it commonplace and ordinary and encourages other women to find the various positives that suitable experience with social nudity offers. '
How many people write of naturism just through blind ignorance?  Speaking about Naturism and nudity to your friends and family opens up the conversation and the less ‘Taboo’ it becomes. Maybe a reduced focus on the ‘nudity’ and more on the other benefits being clothes free can bring is valuable?  As Lins from Belgium suggests, 'Today, naturism is largely “the thing where you get naked among others' '. If we can change that to "the thing that makes you feel good about yourself" or "the thing that takes all your stress away" or "the thing that makes you feel more confident as a woman", it will attract many more women.' 
Since discovering Naturism myself, not only have I lost the clothes, I’ve lost body image fears too. No longer do I compare myself to others. I accept my body and am proud of the vessel that keeps me alive and well.  Who cares about the odd scar here and there, the cellulite, the rolls? These are badges of honour and symbols that I have lived, had a child, survived surgery. Naturism is one of the easiest things to try. It's not dangerous or unhealthy and it’s not permanent,  As Lins says 'It’s not like getting a tattoo - if you try Naturism and don’t like it, simply put your clothes back on.'  It’s as simple as that. I have discovered a feeling of liberation and acceptance and I want other women to experience these feelings for themselves.
Women across the globe are already passionate and are actively promoting Naturism, like Anna. 'My passion for Naturism is mainly driven by the fact that I believe that a fearful and taboo attitude towards the human body has helped do huge amounts of social damage. It feeds a need for porn, it aggravates abuse, it encourages body shaming, it exaggerates sexual stereotyping, it hinders children from sensible and suitable learning, it breeds guilt from healthy sexual desires and it discourages an open and honest attitude to our fellow humans. Clothes offer barriers, they become our armour behind which we hide and become subconsciously disconnected. Naturism offers an innocence in nudity for adults that sadly some, myself included, were not allowed as children. Naturism cannot single handedly put the world to right, but it can be a part of our growth and part of a better world.'
No matter where you are in the world, or what your situation is, there is a way for you to try Naturism as well.  Even if it’s just at home making a cup of tea. You’ll wish you’d found it sooner.
Helen Berriman
Women in Naturism co-ordinator British Naturism
helen.berriman@bn.org.uk 
 

The Forum Live - Ask the Executive

Once a quarter, we dedicate a Forum Live session where members meet and ask questions of British Naturism's Executive Committee. The next session will take place on Monday week, the 21st March at 7:30pm.
The event is open to all British Naturism members and is expected to last an hour. Questions for the Directors and Executive Committee members on any relevant subject will be welcome. To help us manage the session and to provide the best possible answers we would welcome questions in advance, and we will take these first. Subject to time constraints we will take questions on the night as well. 
If you have a question, please send it to headoffice@bn.org.uk
Join the session here
  
Photo by Marius Oprea on Unsplash 

British Naturism and the BHF - A charity partnership

We are pleased to announce that building on the work of the last two years, British Naturism and the British Heart Foundation have agreed to strengthen our partnership for the next two years.  We are confident that both Naturism and those suffering with heart disease will benefit as a result.
The British Heart Foundation were truly impressed by what was achieved at the inaugural Naked Heart Walk at Painshill Park last summer.  Having seen how we operate, the BHF are keen to place our partnership more front and centre and support further fundraising efforts.
Promoting the acceptance and normalisation of Naturism is central to every decision we make.  When we started on this journey, the BHF, like most organisations and most of the public were cautious about aligning themselves too closely with an unconventional minority group.  The professionalism and respectability we have been able to show over the last two years has changed their perception, so that they are now keen to list us as a corporate partner.  The safeguarding and management they have seen in our events means they are keen to promote our activities, certain that they are risk-free.  This is where the time investment really starts to pay off for us.
We all know that people are keen to do something different for charity, the problem that we always face is that we are selling Naturism to Naturists and struggle to reach the wider community.  The listing of our major fundraising events will change all of that.  When people are looking to push their boundaries to raise money, they will check the BHF website and see our activities as something that will take them to the edge of their comfort zone but be entirely achievable.  Through this development we hope to see lots of people who have never considered social nudity to give it a try.
Our plan is to run a number of Naked Heart Walks around the country, ideally one in each region, so that everybody gets a chance to participate and contribute.  A national event manager from British Heart Foundation will be assigned to us with a brief to help the events get off the ground, be run successfully, and facilitate support from local BHF fund-raising managers and teams.  The Great British Skinny dip will continue to be connected to the BHF, creating even more, local opportunities to get involved.
This type of partnership building is very much part of British Naturism’s long-term vision of normalising Naturism and we hope everybody will get involved in this next exciting chapter.

 

BN231 - Spring 2022

The Spring issue of our members' magazine is now out!
It’s full of news, information, listings and fully illustrated features and articles.
Contents include:
All the events you can look forward to
Women in Naturism – three fabulous articles including BN’s new Women in Naturism co-coordinator talking about her journey – and her family chimes in!
Brian’s life-changing Naked Heart Walk
Naturism and Mental Health – Part Three: Noticing
What people are saying about British Naturism
Edwinstowe swim celebrates 25 years
BN Sunfolk redevelopment plans green-lighted
A look back at some fabulous recent events
In travel, we bring you another cornucopia of tempting holidays to consider
 
 
BN231 will soon be landing on the doormats of members of British Naturism who can also download a digital version (log in required)
Our quarterly magazine is just one of the many benefits a BN membership provides, so if you’re not a member yet, why not make today the day you join us?
 

The Forum Live - an update from British Naturism: Sunfolk

Next Monday (7th March) we invite you to join us on a return trip to British Naturism: Sunfolk, our site just outside London in Hertfordshire, and hear about the progress we are making since the acquisition in 2020.
We recently gained planning permission for a variety of changes and you'll learn how we are getting ready for the construction phase of the development plan, including funding and managing the project, and providing the opportunity for members to participate.
We'll also cover the events and other activities we've lined up for you this summer. Just want to put your tent up sometime? Great! We'll talk about how you do that too.
The Forum Live is free and exclusive to members of British Naturism and other Naturist federations - details on how to become a member and what you get can be found here.
Join our Monday night sessions here, via the BN shop
 

British Naturism - did you know we are a membership organisation?

If you are reading this it means you are already taking an interest in the activities of the UK’s Naturist organisation. Thank you!
You’ll already be aware of:
the range of fantastic events that we host across the country and the others we support and promote the work we do in educating the general public and people in authority to the fact that public nudity is a perfectly lawful activity in the UK (and the help we give to people and venues when this isn’t understood) the resources we provide to all those interested in social nudity including our annual guide to Naturism, our information leaflet for walkers and other Naturists in public areas, news stories on our website and information and links on our social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram the research that we have commissioned which proves—scientifically—that Naturism is good for every body and leads to improvements in body image the online classes and sessions we run—over 100 a month—allowing Naturists to get together, be entertained and keep fit in mind and body without leaving home how hard we work to promote Naturism and body-positivity to the world, via the press, TV and radio, stands at exhibitions and projects like the Great British Skinny Dip opportunities to volunteer and gain satisfaction—and more!—from helping Naturism in the UK to thrive our acquisition of British Naturism: Sunfolk and our plans to create a centre of excellence for nude recreation It benefits all Naturists in the UK - but did you know that we rely on the annual subscriptions of our members to make all this happen?
It’s not all one way, our members receive many benefits including:
reduced price tickets on many events exclusive access to member-only events, with no extra charge for our online community sessions an information-packed magazine every quarter 24/7 access to our members’ forum with discussion topics, picture galleries and downloads the opportunity to apply for volunteering opportunities But, much more than that, BN membership is about being part of the wider Naturist scene. When you’re a BN member you know you’re a fundamental part of a community, helping to support the practice of Naturism, allowing it to thrive, open more doors and helping others realise the life-affirming benefits of social nudity.
And it costs less than £4 a month to join
Let me give you an example of what BN did for me during the endless COVID-19 lockdowns.
Although I’d been a BN member for some years, I hadn’t done anything with my membership and had pretty much given up on Naturism – mostly from inertia. But when COVID hit, everything changed.
I discovered BN’s online yoga class and community events, and they were just what I needed to keep me sane. They renewed my interest in being clothes-free and, when we could all emerge into the light, I ventured out to some Great British Skinny Dips. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to be naked!
And when BN asked for volunteers, I jumped at the chance. As a journalist, I can help spread the word about the joys and benefits of Naturism --  and the good work British Naturism does to promote and safeguard them. Not to mention the satisfaction of belonging to an organisation that’s focused on health, body positivity and friendliness.
Check out all the amazing things we’re doing at goodtimes.bn.org.uk!
So, if you are reading this and you’re not been a member, please put that right and come and be part of our fast-growing community. You can join online now!
 
Dugie
 
 

 
 

BN launches new online volunteering platform

British Naturism has launched a new online volunteering platform, called Volunteer Connect, designed to help members get more involved in volunteering within the organisation. 
Members can now create their very own Volunteering Profile in the volunteering pages of the Members Area (log in required)
My Volunteering Profile helps members register their interest in volunteering with BN.  It enables all those who currently volunteer, those who are interested in volunteering (who perhaps don’t yet know what they want to do) and those who would like to register with the Volunteer Bank to create and update their own profile.  Key features of My Volunteering Profile include:
My Personal Information (taken from the BN membership records so there’s no need to retype in information we already hold!) My Contact Preferences My Emergency Contact My Additional Support Needs (details of any disability or health condition that you would like us to know about so we can support you in, or make adjustments to, your volunteering role) My Volunteering Preferences – easy to complete tick boxes that show the the type of volunteering you would like to do the location where you would like to volunteer the activities you would like to be involved in your skills, knowledge and experience and an optional free text box where you can provide additional information. Organisers—volunteers appointed to national or regional roles with responsibility for planning, coordinating and/or organising activities, events and services—may browse all the profiles to identify potential volunteers with relevant skills and interests, and can then contact individuals who may be suitable for a particular volunteering opportunity.  
Data in My Volunteering Profile is held securely on the BN web server as part of our Volunteer Connect platform.  While some sensitive data is restricted to a small team of volunteer managers, most of the data in My Volunteering Profile will be available to organisers who may need to search for potential volunteers with the appropriate skills and interests.  Members can set their contact preferences and update their data at any time.
Our new Volunteer Connect platform is being developed and rolled out in phases that are planned to include:
integration of our current Volunteering Opportunities database with Volunteer Connect submission of online applications for volunteering opportunities management of the volunteer application process online listing any volunteer applications made in My Volunteering Profile listing current and previous volunteer roles in My Volunteering Profile matching of skills and interests between profiles and opportunities to highlight the most relevant opportunities to members matching of skills and interests between profiles and opportunities to assist organisers to identify potential volunteers the ability for volunteer managers to create and edit profiles for those members who do not go online. Creating your own Volunteering Profile will take less than two minutes to complete, or a little longer if you add content to any of the free text boxes.
John Gelder, Volunteering Officer

Does Naturism help your mental health? Part Three

Here’s the third part of our article by BN member Sheila Maycock on Naturism and Mental Health, followed by a first-person report from BN member Steff.
Read the previous articles on this website - Part One and Part Two
In Naturism what stands out initially is that people are not noticing, staring, judging or even bothered about what you look like. That’s liberating when the world as we have previously known it is constantly looking, criticising, comparing unfavourably to an unreal ideal, assessing issues such as who is better off - you or me?
This is not the type of noticing that is beneficial to our Mental Health. We live such busy lives, always planning, rushing off to the next thing without taking time out to reflect or consider. Even if we’re not that busy our mind gets over-occupied with worries about the future or concerns that we can actually do very little about and our minds get caught in a negative and unhealthy downward spiral.
In contrast ‘Taking Notice’ (or Mindfulness as it is sometimes called) is a discipline which means you start to deliberately take time to observe what is going on in the world around as well as your own internal responses to those events. You practice being present in the moment, savouring that instant in time, spotting the beautiful, interesting, fascinating, unusual or even weird stuff that goes on around us all the time.
The human brain is awesome and the truth is we only use a tiny part of it in our day to day lives. Most of the brain capacity that we are using is occupied with humdrum everyday stuff, running routine programmes that we don’t even really know we are doing or have to think about. And if our brain doesn’t deem something to be of significance to us—that we have assessed as important, dangerous, of value or interest—then our brain just filters it out. We don’t even see it and we are missing out on the chance to enjoy and appreciate what is going on around us, robbing us of the benefit of good and positive experiences and often over emphasising the negative stuff that comes our way. Finding joy in the minutiae of life: the glint of the sun on a raindrop, the feel of the breeze on your skin, the texture of a fallen tree, even the motes of dust floating in your house, can relax our busy brains for a moment, enough to reset, de-stress and refuel us for the next challenge life throws at us.
Taking note in this way is a step forward in strengthening our self-awareness and self-acceptance, which are things which Naturists have often developed through their experience of Naturism.
Mindfulness has become a new ‘thing’ so there are multiple pages online, courses springing up to teach the approach, and books and articles abounding about the topic. It is a way of focusing on this present moment and not letting our thoughts carry us off. In Mindfulness, attention is given to the now, the breath, the feeling of the ground beneath your feet, the air on your skin and it helps develop awareness of where unhelpful thought patterns may be leading us astray, replacing them with a new approach to appreciating the world in which we live. According to The New Economics Foundation (2008), Mindfulness is as effective as antidepressants in reducing the recurrence of depression.
Naturism provides a natural vehicle for this meditative practice. Being unclothed removes a mask to one’s self as well as others. We have already decided to be more authentic with little to hide from others. Now bolt on a new appreciation of the wealth of experience that surrounds us, that our brain just couldn’t see before because we had deemed it insignificant, and now our brain leaps to attention. Naturism’s immediacy of physical sensations assists in the appreciation of experiences such as the feeling of the water directly on your skin while swimming, the freedom of wandering around without the constraints of clothing. We remove a false self with our clothing and become more authentically who we are.
Sheila Maycock MBACP (Accred) Family Therapist
 
TRIGGER WARNING
At some point in their lives, most people a will have a brush with a mental health problem. It may be a form of depression, life circumstances, a chronic condition—or even caring for someone who has.
Everyone has their own battles and obstacles throughout life which can affect us all in different ways and I would like to share mine with you.
It was many years ago when I was diagnosed with a condition called Mixed Personality Disorder. That day, as I sat in the psychiatrist’s office, looking at the self-inflicted scars on my arms, the whole world around me went into a blur, like it wasn’t real, or as if they were talking about somebody else. Complete reality numbness. I felt completely isolated and different from the rest of the world, as if everybody I passed on the street could see me as if there were a big, bright spotlight shining down on me as I made my way home.
The doctor’s words continued to repeat over and over again in my head along with an intense feeling of fear. What will happen to me now? Will I have to live like this forever? Is there a way to control the constant state of anxiety and panic that I experience? The future crumbled and became a dark empty void, like a tunnel with no light, closing in around me.
In time I began to feel like I owed people something for the lack of visibility of my condition. They would usually only see me on my better days as I would isolate and hide myself away on the darker days: days when I would struggle to get out of bed, when I would be fighting the intense impulses to end my life, harm myself or battle the overwhelming feeling of sadness, despair, and self- loathing that no form of distraction would ever relinquish. Nobody sees those days, I hide them away behind the smiles, the jokes and silliness that I use as a form of cover or shield like it’s a different level of vulnerability, a weakness that must never be seen by anybody ever.
I’m lucky enough to have people around me, my doctors, my wife, and friends who all stand by me, but there can be a thousand people around and I would still feel alone. Trapped within my own thoughts, like a being in a mental prison, looking out and seeing everyone on the other side of the bars. 
My doctors are aware that I am a Naturist. We have talked about it a lot. I would describe to them how being in a Naturist environment made me feel—like I don’t have to hide anymore, how quickly a person’s confidence can rise to a balanced level in a Naturist setting, how we become human beings again without separation of social class that society seems to force upon us. They would remark on how I seemed to “spark into life” and project a “powerful aura of positivity and confidence” while speaking about Naturism, something in which is usually a rare trait to see in me.
When I discovered British Naturism, I finally found a place where differences were embraced, a place that accepted me for who I am and how I was made, a place I truly belonged. The doctors unanimously agreed that I continue the Naturism lifestyle and become more proactive within it, based on the positive effect that it had repeatedly shown on my mental wellbeing. In a way I guess that makes Naturism doctors’ orders for me.
The Covid outbreak had an impact on everyone in some way. People developed mental health conditions and people who already had them struggled even more. We were all suddenly trapped in our houses, could no longer socialise with our friends and family, something we all needed at this time, for some more so than ever. Many of us soon ran out of things to occupy our minds. Relying heavily on social media and television with its seemingly endless stream of updates reminding us of the frightening situation that we are all in. It gave us more time to think and overthink, the mind now working in overdrive which in itself is dangerous situation for anyone.
Watching the world from my window became harder each day. Missing friends, missing the beach and forests, missing nature, and the outdoors. Even the things I rarely do because the option had now been taken away from me. It felt like I was losing my identity and simply existing, the darker days became more frequent, and frightening filled with uncertainty and anxiety.
I found myself relying more and more on the British Naturism community as a form of escapism from the social media’s seemingly intentional toxicity. It became a safe haven, a covid-free environment and the online events worked as a great distraction and a means to remain connected to the community and lifestyle that I love, the lifestyle that creates such a positive impact on my mental health.
There are no real cures for many mental health conditions. Sometimes we just have to learn to live with it, adapt and evolve where possible. For me, Naturism and being a part of the Naturist community breaks through those mental prison bars and brings me back to life’s basics. It’s a reminder that no matter who you are regardless of wealth, class, status or even species, we’re all on this planet together. Naturism is truly is a place I will always call home. For those of you who are struggling out there, please remember, you’re not weak, you’re a warrior, you’re not soft, you’re a survivor. Don’t give up.
Steff
 

Steff Murdoch-Richards
 

Photo credit : Mark Bass

The Forum Live - interviewing Jason Hatherill - Magnolias Natura

Join me again next Monday (28 February) as I talk to Jason Hatherill, owner of the pre-eminent Naturist resort in the Canary Islands, Magnolias Natura.
Jason was born in the UK and was a teacher in the east end of London for 23 years.  In 2015 he moved to Gran Canaria in search of something different and a quieter life. In 2016 he became the owner and Director of Mareu Hoteles and leads a team of thirty staff in two holiday resorts one of which is Magnolias Natura - a nude resort since 2002. Jason believes in getting the basic things right – friendly staff, cleanliness, competitively priced accommodation set in attractive gardens with good quality food and beverages.  He is a member of British Naturism and has attended and enjoyed the Alton Towers event.
We'll hear more about the resort and its history, its facilities and why it - and Gran Canaria - make a great place for a Naturist holiday. We'll be treated to some images too.
All BN online 'community' events are open to all BN members and members of overseas federations. Join the session here.
If you're not a member, come and find out how to change that - and seriously enhance your life in the process!

Our 2022 guide to Naturism - OUT NOW!

Our popular Guide to Naturism has been updated for 2022 and is now available. It’s a comprehensive booklet that contains everything anyone needs to know about Naturism.
Use it to persuade your friends to join BN, your colleagues to give social nudity a try, or your local leisure centre to host a skinny dip.
We’ll be sending copies to clubs and swims, and taking piles of them to events for you to take away. We have printed many thousands of them and you can order them - for free! - from the BN shop. It’s also available as an online booklet, making it dead easy to send a link to anyone you like!
Find it at shop.bn.org.uk/products/guide-to-naturism

Naked Dining in Oxford - book before it’s too late!

BN’s London and South East, and Eastern regions have got together to bring you a wonderful naked dining experience, on the 2nd March - a special evening of dining in convivial company, with cosy wood burning stoves.
The White House by Tap Social is a family friendly community cafe bar and kitchen, serving delicious locally sourced seasonal dishes, barista-made coffee and of course locally brewed craft beer. It is based in a historic grade 2 listed public house on the Abingdon Rd, south of Oxford, within easy reach of the centre and public transport if needed.
A two course meal, with vegan and gluten free options, is available for a set price of £23.
Find out more and book your place
 
Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash

North West Regional News – Events Galore!

After two long years of Covid inactivity, the North West Region is roaring back. Swims are almost fully operational and the BN North West committee wants to expand on them and other events “exponentially.”
Clubs will be opening their doors to visitors again in the Spring, aiming to attract more visits from those who found the desire during the Pandemic to enjoy practising Naturism locally. This new-found enthusiasm could help boost membership numbers for the clubs and British Naturism.
Diaries are already filling up with many dates for smaller events - including Summer swim sessions at the Shap Lido, club sports events, more new lido swims, beach days, and so on. We’re also connecting with National Events management for larger events such as the visit to Adlington Hall Gardens, which we hope to expand and accommodate the new North West ‘Naked Heart Walk’ for British Heart Foundation.
NW Club and Swim Events.
For the full list of North West Swims and other events visit the BN NW Calendar online on the BN Website. Among the many activities, you’ll find weekly swims in Manchester, Chester and Birmingham, and monthly swims in Wigton, Cumbria, Poulton (Lancs) and Worsley (Greater Manchester). All these are currently up and running. And for all the latest news from the North West Region, check out the North West pages on the BN website.
The Great British Skinny Dip.
The fantastic Great British Skinny Dip Campaign is getting more popular every year, and 2022 promises to be even bigger than before! We’ll again be supporting the British Heart Foundation. We’re on the hunt for venues to accommodate a dip, so if you have one in mind, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  Check out the new GBSD website.
Two new BN Clubs
Welcome to our two new BN member clubs! Wrekin View and the N&W Outreach club have come on board and we hope they can be represented on the NW committee.
The next Regional Meeting is an EGM - open to all BN members in the North West region, to be held via Zoom on Tuesday 15th March at 8 p.m. Find out more at https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/6750-nw-region-egm/
Ron O’Hare (BN North West Regional Co-ordinator and Team GBSD).

Phil's Freezing Charity Swim - a great success!

BN member Phil Pool braved near-daily skinny dips in the teeth-chattering waters off Brighton through to New Year’s Eve to raise funds for the RNLI. BN caught up with him to find out how it went,’ writes BN ace reporter Dugie Eyton-Hughes.
Phil started winter sea swimming in the autumn of 2020 and continued through 2021. As the cold months approached, he wanted to continue but “knowing how hard it had been, I knew I’d need something to motivate me.”
That motivation came from hearing a report about a group of migrants having died at sea. Phil reflected on how terrible and terrifying their last moments will have been. He knew the RNLI rescued many people but can’t be there in time for everyone. “The idea grew in my mind about doing something to support them. At the same time Nigel Farage started making negative comments about the RNLI – and that made up my mind!”
Combining his support for the Lifeboats with the need to motivate himself, Phil decided to swim every day from the start of September through to New Year’s Eve. And, knowing that many people swim in the sea year-round in wetsuits, he decided to do it naked, counting on the novelty value to attract more attention and sponsorship.
All went well until he attended a family wedding in Dartmoor and moved his daily plunge to the River Dart. High up on the moor the water was crystal clear and very cold, but the swimming stunning. Two days later, he came down with Weil’s disease. Some antibiotics soon sorted that out and Phil lost only a day or two of swimming but he also had to take 10 days off when he tested positive for Covid. He also missed a couple of days when the sea was too rough even in the harbour. 
Phil originally hoped to raise around £250 for the RNLI in sponsorship from friends and family. In the end, having been interviewed twice on BBC local radio and Heart FM, and through the BN website, Facebook and Twitter, he attracted nearly £3,500, and counting. On the last day of his swims, Phil discovered that around 40 people had turned out to support him. “I came out of the water, to gentle applause, and while I stood there, naked but for swim socks, gloves and a woolly hat, I was photographed by several people including the RNLI’s media lead for the South East of England – quite chilly on New Year’s Eve!” 
Phil’s still swimming in the sea. He’s rightfully proud that he completed his challenge and, as a Naturist, did something positive that got media attention, “even if it was only in a small way.”

Way to go, Phil!

Putting the “nature” back into Naturism

Synergy with the natural world forms a key part of Naturism for many people.  Indeed, both British Naturism and the International Naturist Federation define Naturism as:
"Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature characterised by the practice of communal nudity with the intention of encouraging self-respect, respect for others and for the environment."
At the same time, we know that caring for nature and the environment are key concerns for many young people, after all, they still have a long time to live in this world.
In The Forum Live Debate this month (Monday 21st February), we will discuss the symbiosis between Naturism and nature, including how we can tackle sustainability and environmental issues in a way that will make the world a better place and encourage young people to join our campaign.
 
Click here for the link to join us on the night...

Back garden Naturism - it's not a police matter!

BN is surprised by the many reports in the media today of a senior RAF officer being investigated by police and suspended by the military for being naked in a paddock at his home.
The reports contain no suggestion that there was any sexual element or intent to cause alarm or distress, and the facts as reported give no reason to suppose a police investigation was warranted.
We’ve said it before (It is perfectly legal to be naked in your garden - About BN - British Naturism) and we’ll say it again:  It is perfectly lawful for somebody to go naked in their garden.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 was carefully worded to exclude Naturism. It is perfectly ok to take your clothes off to enjoy the sun and the breeze on your skin, or the life-affirming feeling of swimming without a costume. However, if you do so because you have the intention of causing ‘alarm and distress’ then it could be a criminal offence, though the onus is on the onlooker to prove the intent. Despite what many media reports suggest, merely being ‘offended’ is not enough to warrant a call to the authorities.
It follows that nudity is permissible in all public places…and why should it not be? It’s our natural state. It’s only social conditioning that tells us that certain parts of our body are - choose your own adjective: shameful, disgusting, sexual, offensive, ridiculous - and must therefore be hidden away. Sadly, that same conditioning has led people to conclude that a nude person, especially a man, must be up to no good. No-one, ever, children included, has been harmed by the sight of a naked person.
We’re aware of the sensitivities though. Many people never think to challenge what their parents and teachers taught them when they were very young. That social conditioning, the stigma and taboos are thus ingrained and it takes a lot to change attitudes. We’ve worked with the police and the number of arrests and cautions has plummeted, but still pockets of ignorance remain. 
Being neighbourly is desirable, and Naturists sunbathing in their back garden will generally choose a spot that isn’t too overlooked and will often speak to neighbours who can see into their garden to advise them they may catch a glimpse of naked flesh. Anecdotal evidence and long experience shows that most – but obviously not all - neighbours couldn’t care less!

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