News and Articles

The Great British Skinny Dip - moving to July

The Great British Skinny Dip - moving to July

5 Months to Go…
It’s always difficult, isn’t it, when an annual event comes and goes and we’re left having to wait an entire 12 months until it rolls round again? Like Christmas, Pancake Day or the Wimbledon finals it feels only natural to wish for 12 months to become, say, 10, or nine. Did you feel that way about The Great British Skinny Dip? Did you wish hard? Someone must have because even though it was four months ago there are only 5 months left before it’s back again. GBSD is moving to July.
There are a few reasons for the rejigged schedule. Our first three years proved that GBSD was/is popular but we realised that there may still be people out there dissuaded by the cooling temperatures of September. So, pulling the event right into the middle of summer seems like a fair experiment to make! However, ironically, even though the July air temperature will be an average of three degrees warmer than September’s, the water temperature will likely be half a degree cooler. But shh, don’t tell anyone. July also makes it a little easier in terms of access to venues simply because it will still be term time and the pools and venues will be in slightly less demand than in September. But there are also a couple of weeks when family skinny dipping will be possible, with the little ones released from school.
But the biggest reason for the move, though, is to really encourage any newcomers to stick with it. We realised that by winning first-time Naturists over just as winter sets in the drop-out rate post-GBSD is still quite high. If first-timers can enjoy a sustained season of Naturism they’ll be more likely to stick with it!
 
2019: More Opportunities for More Organisers
We’re off to a great start with events into double figuresalready lined up for GBSD and many more being planned. As year on year has proven (as if we didn’t already know it..) the more events we run the bigger and better the turn out and the louder the bell of Naturism rings. It calls out across the land announcing the arrival of something special. So let’s turn up the volume and make some real noise. Every idea and suggestion wins the proclaimer a bonus point and every one will receive the support of everyone else. Every event that is organised will be promoted across the BN community and we’ll make sure that the promotion extends well into the local media too. Look at the effort that went into the Wigton Baths swims if you need a little inspiration. At the end of the day, what’s a few phone calls or a little bit of charm next time you drop into the leisure centre down the road? There’s plenty of advice and helpfor you on the GBSD website and advice from many people who have already run events, or found great success in knocking on doors to get more venues - our grateful thanks to them!
 
What’s It All About?
The Great British Skinny Dip is, however, about more than just taking our clothes off and going for a splash. Or is it? Isn’t that exactly what GBSD is about? The simple joy of being naked? In a pool? With nothing between you and the fullest enjoyment of your body? It’s easy to overthink GBSD but that’s ultimately what the event is promoting – that being naked whilst swimming is glorious, is fundamentally healthy, is absolutely natural and feels so good! If there’s a message to deliver from a pedestal this one is just as important and worthy of the spotlight than any other. Here’s the best bit - even if people DON’T participate, they are hearing that message and having their views of Naturists and Naturism changed. That’s got to be good for everyone.
If you head on over to the GBSD websiteyou’ll be able to have a read of completely new website text (and enjoy some beautiful new pictures). See something you like? Or not? Let us know through the usual channels and stir up a conversation!
 
Coming Together to Build an Events Page
In addition to new text this year you’ll find a brand new listings page with a shiny search option and an interactive map with every event pinned. Everyone can get involved with it too as the power to add your own events is now in your hands! Now there’s even less excuse not to organise an event…
For anyone thinking ‘Darn, I’d love to get involved but it’s all a bit too much for just little ol’ me!’ don’t despair! Remember, together we are strongest! So, if you’ve got a great idea and a burning ambition to organise an event call in the cavalry, work together, split costs and claim the glory of being the team who organised a fantastic Naturist get-together. If your club doesn’t have a pool, or perhaps for some reason doesn’t want to hold an open day, why not get together with other clubs in your area and hire a pool between you? We’ll gladly help you to promote it!
 
Taylor Boxall
on behalf of the GBSD team
 
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The BN Bournemouth winter break

The BN Bournemouth winter break

2019 saw us move to the lovely Best Western Hotel Royale - a hotel within the same Oceana group that we’d used previously. It meant sacrificing the sea views but we got a swimming pool so nobody minded - and the hotel was definitely a step up from The Ocean Beach.

The Bournemouth weekend always has a lovely feel to it, a real sense of community. It may not have the adrenaline packed pace of Nudefest but you are never too far away from the next activity or entertainment. The spacious lounge bar was the central hub for the whole weekend and was always a hive of conversation. From clothes off at 3pm on Friday right the way through till Sunday there was always someone to sit with and make some new friends.

Friday was a pretty lazy afternoon with dinner early evening, Barry’s annual quiz got everyone’s minds razor sharp, followed by entertainment from an incredible soul singer Kurtis Ray White who has been on both the X-Factor and Stars In Their Eyes. Saturday started with a Full English (the food with the Oceana group is always very good - much better than you would expect from a value break like this) and then started a packed day of activities and workshops. Macrame - a crafty knotting with chord - was the mornings activity, and combined with a full-to-bursting life-drawing session and a hilarious impromptu ‘learn to dance the Argentine Tango’ session, the day flew by. As well as the organised sessions there was a ‘Secret Cinema’ hidden in the basement of the hotel with popcorn a plenty and three great films to watch. Add the pool where there was a nice combination of time to do your own thing plus Pam hosting a Water Polo session and Aquarobics. The afternoon finished with a very interesting talk by The National Trust about their conservation work at Studland and of course a game of bingo.

Saturday evening was billed as a Gala Dinner and little did the guests know what this actually meant! The advance description was rather ambiguous ‘Dinner with Entertainment’ - booked and planned for ages was the Fawlty Towers Experience... in came Basil, Sybil and Manuel - chaos ensued! With double entendres aplenty it was a riotous night of fun. The actors were superb, and it was great to do something different. The night concluded with a Disco till late and a ‘few’ drinks in the bar.
That night we had our grand raffle draw with a superb prize - a weekend in a Naturist retreat in Wales.
In the BN events office, we are trying to get better at booking events further in advance, having line-ups in place and making the booking process simpler. At Bournemouth we trialled our new way - with great success - by announcing and opening booking for 2020 on the Sunday morning. For 2020 we are pushing the boundaries even further and are moving to the Oceana Groups flagship hotel The Suncliff, and have announced a ‘Warner Break Style’ 60s weekend with original artists Edison Lighthouse and Dave Berry & The Cruisers...This new hotel has an indoor pool, squash courts and more plus splendid ocean views.

Bournemouth 2020
24th - 26th Jan
www.bnevents.co.uk/Bournemouth 

Say It Loud, Say It Clear

Say It Loud, Say It Clear

‘In the three months since laying out the strategic aims in the last magazine, we have been working to advance some of those areas.  Feedback from members has helped us prioritise where to focus effort and that seems fitting as the theme running through these items is to expand communication!’ says Vice Chair, Mark Bass
Promoting naturism to encourage people to get involved, or at the very least respect those who do, demands that we will tell the public about the benefits, the fun and the opportunities to give it a go.  At the same time, we need to talk to each other to coordinate our efforts and make sure that we are pursuing campaigns and activities that have broad support.  Four key areas have come up a number of times in discussions on the forum and at gatherings.  So what are we doing to address them?
Talking to Ourselves
The rapid expansion of the activities of BN over the last ten years has sometimes caused members to feel that they do not know what is happening, what decisions are being made and why.  Even worse, members with ideas felt they were not always getting the chance to contribute.  Over the last few months, we as the Executive Committee have been making greater effort to join conversations on the forum, where a great deal of discussion takes place.  Ultimately the EC are still just members, so want to be fully integrated and are finding the constructive exchange of ideas very refreshing. We can’t guarantee that every thought, suggestion or idea can be actioned, but please keep them coming. We are also publishing reports and updates to make our thoughts, plans and explanations for the choices clearer.  An immediate benefit of that is that we are seeing more members find places to contribute, with grass-roots initiatives popping up all over the country.  As well as giving out information, joining in conversations makes it much easier to see what members want.  The clearest demonstration of that in action is seen in the three other changes below, all of them things that people have been requesting for a while, now becoming a reality.
“The Look”
The icon of “BN” embossed on the blazing sun has served us well for 40 years now.  However, it is often commented that you need to be in British Naturism to know the icon, the “BN” abbreviation doesn’t sell our identity to outsiders.  Therefore, the biggest change is one you will have seen on the cover of this magazine[1] .  We are no longer hiding behind “BN” we are British Naturism!  By spelling out our name people will know who we are and what we stand for when they see our imagery.  Mark Walsh talks through the rationale and design process elsewhere in this magazine and you will have seen the new look popping up in several places with it appearing across the brand in the months ahead.  Alongside the refresh of the British Naturism look, YBN has gone through the same process.  Their new logo shares design features with the new British Naturism look so YBN has its own identity but is clearly part of the larger organisation.  The redesign was marked by the launch of a new, public website in January, so YBN is opening its doors to the world and inspiring a new generation of naturists to sign up.  A longer term goal of the rebranding is to see the new look appearing on merchandise in the shop, so we can proclaim our position, even when dressed.  We hope to mix in various humorous slogans so we can buy things that provoke conversation.  A choice of options would allow people to bluntly proclaim their affiliation or introduce naturism into conversation by way of a joke, depending on which approach suits them best.  Either way, the aim of this change is to make us more visible to those around us.
Taking to the Streets
The second point that is often lamented is that we preach naturism to naturists.  If we are to draw people into naturism, we need to be speaking to the general public.  The Just One Person initiative has been hugely successful at inspiring members to talk to friends and families, and we have had a lot of success over the last few years at putting naturist stories into the mainstream media.  What we need to do more is create opportunities to speak one-on-one with strangers.  At the same time the question, “Can we sell our big events, such as Nudefest, to non-naturists”, is often asked.  The answer to both questions is the same: British Naturism is going on the road!  Leafleting on a high street could be an uphill struggle as people rushing to do shopping are not in the mood to talk.  Instead, we are targeting events.  By the time you read this, we will have already spent four days exhibiting at the Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show.  In an environment where people are in the mood to browse, we should have some great opportunities to chat to people at length, and better still they will be the sort of people who are inclined to go to camping events.  We can tell them about naturism and provide them the chance to try it at Nudefest, Nudestock, NKD, or MidsummerFest in Liverpool.  This is the first of what we hope will be a series of roadshow events where we can chat to people in a relaxed atmosphere.
Going Local
The final aspect concerns the National Convention, which is the best opportunity for all members to meet and discuss ideas.  The centrally located national convention created difficulties for people who had to travel a great distance.  Therefore, the National event is replaced and just as we are taking the Roadshows to speak to the public, we will take Regional Conventions to talk to naturists around the country.  This will give widely-spread members, representatives of clubs, and the essential regional volunteers the chance to share their thoughts.  Sharing experience and innovative ideas should help clubs and regions succeed and ensure their growth.  At the same time, there are many new British Naturism members want to join clubs but struggle to do so because they don’t know somebody already there.  By talking to each other more openly, we would hope that those hurdles will disappear.  Finally, these meetings will give club members the chance to tell British Naturism about things that they would like to see and would find helpful. The benefit of these interactions will be that we can all work together across the country for mutual gain.
So, in summary, the recent focus has been on communication in four areas.  Communicating to members, making our aims more visible, communicating to the public and communication between clubs.  And that is something worth talking about.
 

Origan Village - a peaceful Naturist resort in the mountains

Origan Village - a peaceful Naturist resort in the mountains

About an hour the airport we arrived in Puget-Theniers, a small, traditional French village with cafés and narrow streets.  Shortly after, a narrow side road took us past children playing sport at their local school and parked lorries bearing log piles up a winding hill to the gates of our destination.
The site is surprisingly spacious with areas that you could easily miss unless you make a point of seeing them.  Owner Michel, who was pleased to speak French with us, took us around the site on a ‘golf buggy’ so that we could see what accommodation types were on offer. Well-appointed modern chalets, smaller chalets with yet more stunning views, and cottages with mezzanines and mirrors above the double beds(!) were all shown to us. The site is undulating and full of trees and greenery. In one hidden dip with stairs leading down and lush vegetation live two donkeys, we heard that they are spoiled by guests who put their left-over fresh bread into boxes for them. Another camping area was found up another winding road and all the pitches have a stunning view.
We were staying further down the site in a chalet shaded by pines conveniently located right next to the sauna.  What bliss!  Every evening we popped into the Swiss style wooden sauna with a slatted platform that could easily accommodate four people lying down or many more sitting and admiring the view through the windows. The sauna building had a large carpeted ‘meeting room’ with chairs for guests to rest or relax in, again with mountain views.
The centre of the site is dominated by the large well-maintained outdoor pool and sunbathing terraces and two smaller pools, one with a water slide for children.  The restaurant terrace is above this area and provides not only a view of the large pool, planting and stream that feeds into the pool, but also a panoramic view of the mountains beyond the site.    
Venturing around the site, and up one secluded set of stairs among the fauna we found the start of what can only be described as a ‘naturist hike’. This 7km excursion takes you hiking high up the mountain side behind the resort among trees and rocks where you can continue on the trail following painted arrows on rocks right across and down to the other side of the Origan Village. The whole walk is all part of the resort, so you do not have to worry about being clothed. If you prefer an easier adventure you can cross the site and take a more gentle walk downhill where, in about 10 minutes following a gravel path beside the stream, you will come across part of the river Var which is secluded so that you can cover yourself in the clay mud or just bathe in the river, or both, all in your naturist state.  There is a set of stairs leading up from the river to the mouth of the stream that you followed down. For those who are more adventurous it is possible scramble up the rocks where the stream is flowing, and dodge the water tumbling down it’s path, all the way back up to the top.   
With all this natural beauty and space it is easy to imagine that some would chose not to leave the tranquillity of the site for the duration of their stay.
We did venture out to see if there was anything that would tempt guests away from the Village.  Just outside, as we drew into nearby Puget-Theniers we were greeted by the screech of a whistle and the puffing sound of a steam train.  Black smoke rose up as the train chugged out of the tiny station.  We had by chance witnessed the Puget to Annot tourist train setting off on it’s weekly excursion.  A short drive (10 minutes to the west of Puget) following the direction of the train, we came across the awe-inspiring medieval village at Entrevaux.  It is not often I would describe something as a ‘must-see’ destination but this village really is for anyone who likes the idea of a charming village that could come straight from a film set with its own fortress, built under King Louis XIV around 1860.  Access is via a large footbridge where you enter through an archway with its own watch towers, where you arrive at a small square with cafes and tiny shops. Beyond these you are lead into winding alleyways shaded by tall narrow houses, drawbridges and ramparts.  There were signs for a motorbike museum down one tiny alleyway, which was quite unexpected.  Walking is plentiful around these delightful streets or for three euros you can enter the Citadel which is built into the side of a narrow rocky spur and girded by the River Var where the challenge is to walk the length of the long zig zag cobbled path to the top to see and read the history within.  It is literally breath-taking at the top! If you have your wits about you, it is possible to find an exit on the other side and find a path that leads through the forest and trees downwards to a narrow mountain track which eventually leads you back to the village.
We were only at Origan Village for a few days and were sad to leave so soon.  We promised ourselves that we would return because we felt so relaxed there and enjoyed the space and ambience so much. Check out the BN Members' holiday to Origan this August
0033 (0)4.93.05.06.00
www.origan-village.com

On Tour with British Naturism

On Tour with British Naturism

This weekend British Naturism attended the 4-day long Caravan & Motorhome Show at Event City in Manchester.
Our stand was located in the ‘village’ style area - a place where most of the small stands were - It was a good location and had good footfall.
The show was well attended with over 20,000 visitors over the 4 days.
A good mix of demographic too. From families upwards…
Overall the show was hugely positives on a number of levels and had multiple benefits to the organisation: We met over 1% of BN’s membership at the event - well over 100 members came to the stand and said hello. Many praised BN for getting out in to the open and championing Naturism publicly.
We handed out membership forms to lapsed members. The majority when asked why they no longer are members was change in circumstances or they used BN to find a club and are no longer a member!
We had a highly positive response, no-one was hugely negative and nobody was offensive.
There were plenty of ‘its not for me’ comments but they were very accepting of the lifestyle. It is hard to put a figure on it but I would say a conservative estimate of 200 solid conversations about Naturism a day with non-members. Some of those we spoke to had tried Naturism abroad on beaches or were Naturists but didn’t know that Naturism was a really a thing in the UK! They were particularly surprised at the scale of BN and at how many clubs there are in the UK.
We have just announced that we are about to build on the Manchester success and attend the big NEC show in Birmingham. British Naturism will be on stand 4-616 at The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, Feb 19th - 24th. Thanks to Clover Spa for sponsoring us to help attend this show.
Our Events Team will be on hand, giving out the information relating to Naturism in the UK including our own 2019 booklet and an Advertisers Insert page. If you represent a Club or Swim our advert could appear for only £50!! This has to be an opportunity that is too good to miss!
If you are interested you need to let us know by 5th February.  Just send an email to Advertising@bn.org.uk

The Shape of Things to Come

The Shape of Things to Come

Last year was an incredible year for British Naturism. We reached membership milestones, engineered a breakthrough with the police, saw a record turnout for GBSD, enjoyed new events, gained new venues and massive media coverage, kicked off a new strategy process, appointed a new Volunteer Co-ordinator and developed our YBN community. Phew!
But, let’s be honest: last year’s success is last year’s news. At BN we’re all about looking towards the future which is much more exciting because together we all get to write new pages and new chapters in our history.
Which means 2019 is all about building on that momentum and making it another fantastic year. The really exciting news? We’re still in the first half of January and there’s heaps of great Naturist events on the way!
To start, there are four waterpark events to choose from that will take place across the country at The Sandcastle in Blackpool (March 2nd), Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent (April 13th and September 28th) and Splashdown in Poole (May 25th). If you fancy a little splash around (and who doesn’t?) any one of these events will be worth your time. Just imagine how much fun you could have if you attended all of them!
As to hotel breaks BN has you covered with four scheduled breaks throughout the year to a variety of cosy hotels in Bournemouth and Blackpool, as well as at stalwart event The Gathering and the member-favourite Alton Towers getaway. The bad news is that most of these are ALREADY sold out!
Then of course we have the regular camping and festival favourites or, as we feel befits them all: The Big Four. Pack your bags and ready the sunscreen for the glories of NKD Festival, Nudestock, the Woodlands Weekend and, the splendid, week-long Nudefest.
We’re delighted also to bring you the news that some of those bigger events will be sponsored by naked cruise supremos, Bare Necessities Tour and Travel.
For the sporty ones amongst us, the annual BN National Swimming Gala will be taking place in April. All swimmers of all levels and abilities are welcomed, and encouraged, to come along.
New for this year is the highly anticipated Highland Wilderness and Walking Weekend which will take place across the weekend of 26-28th July in Loch Ossian, Highlands. The SANER-supported, member-led event is perfectly located for a weekend of Naturist walking, spontaneous skinny dipping and complete relaxation. Not only that, you’ll also have access to the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel (SYHA) for exclusive naturist use too.
You’ll find the details of these events and many more - including sports, swims, health and fitness, and dining in our excellent event listings websites - bnevents.co.uk, and on the BN website in the calendar and Big Days Out pages.
There will also be a number of Garden Days to enjoy this year, the dates and locations of which are currently being finalised. And let’s not forget the recently relocated Great British Skinny Dip, which will now take place throughout the UK in July.
So, look at that for an absolute treat of a year! Have you been dilly-dallying about buying a membership? Have you been waiting for an excuse to finally join in? Whether you like to be active, like to travel or simply just like making new friends and the simple pleasure of being naked there’s really no time like the present to get involved. If you missed the party last year be good to yourself and make sure you don’t miss it this year.
Of course, for up to minute news and events information head on over to the BN events website where you’ll find stacks of reasons to mark multiple dates in your diaries and the option to sign up for our newsletter too. You can also download, or order, a copy of the shiny new ‘Your Guide to Naturism in 2019’ which is packed full of the many brilliant reasons to get involved with Naturism.
To 2019! May it be filled with the wonder of Naturism and a diary filled with days out, weekends away and beautiful new experiences.

Naked dining with ghosts

Naked dining with ghosts

“We're going to a restaurant tonight,” we told our friends. 
“That's nice,” they replied.
“We'll be naked there as well,” we said
“Naked, and it's January? You must be completely mad!'
Little did they know that we were actually going to a lunatic asylum. Well that's what it was originally called when it opened in 1860 but its name was quickly changed to the more acceptable Fairfield Psychiatric Hospital. This was the latest destination in Hertfordshire found by Robert and Pauline for their Eastern Region diners group. The hospital with its amazing architecture (Gothic Romantic style) was huge with the longest corridor in the UK at half a mile. In the past they treated shell-shocked World War One veterans and used electric and aversion therapy to 'cure' gay and cross dressing patients and this went on up to the early 1980s! It is now closed and part of the Bannatyne Health Spas empire and we were dining in The Orchard restaurant.
The January temperature outside wasn't a problem as it was baking inside. The manager wanted to be absolutely sure we were warm enough. What a change that is from some events we have been to with BN. I remember too well the Bier Keller in Blackpool that was possibly colder inside than out in February! Some organisations just don't think it through when taking a naturist booking. The Orchard restaurant was furnished in a clean modern style and Robert and Pauline had long ago sold all seats. Indeed, they have already sold out for the next event in March!
It was good to be able to socialise with those on other tables both before and after the meal. There was a cheerful atmosphere and it was interesting to find many naturists there who were in their 'first year' and some were on their first naturist event as opposed to being on a beach. Richard was one of these newcomers and I asked him if anything surprised him at his first event. He said, “Normally I wouldn’t go into a pub and start talking as I feel uncomfortable. What surprised me here was that once you are stripped bare it’s much easier to talk and socialise than in a clothed environment. I felt very welcome, had a very enjoyable time with lovely food and great company”
Everyone we spoke to seemed very positive including the manager. She told me that her grandmother had told her recently that she was a naturist, much to her amusement. One of the bar staff was also a regular naturist beach user. The manager was keen for us to visit again and told us they could put on a disco as well in the future. Though she had been very cynical in the past about the paranormal she is now convinced that the building is haunted. I checked this out online and sure enough the buildings have quite a ghostly reputation! One of the first stories I came across was of a young nurse being shown the padded cells when the light started going on and off. As we left the restaurant I looked up at an adjoining building and there was a light going on and off.... but I don't believe in ghosts!!
The naked dining movement has really taken off now with events in the last year in Bristol, Hertfordshire, Oxford, Staffordshire, Exeter and Kent. Others are in the pipeline and there is every sign that it will continue to grow. With our generally less than friendly climate it's great that we are being creative in our thinking in BN and the naturist world coming up with these alternatives to sitting on a beach. I think it's also great that this movement is growing through grassroots activities from people like Robert and Pauline. Every time we use a new venue we show staff there what a normal bunch we are and that helps spread the news that a naturist booking is a good one.
Andy
 
 
Lead Photo by Francois Pistorius on Unsplash

Walking the talk in Eastbourne

Walking the talk in Eastbourne

(…and walking, talking, visiting art galleries, cleaning beaches…)
‘At Eastbourne Naturist Swim Club we recently celebrated our 35th birthday. Naturism has changed a lot in that time. People seem less interested in the club spirit for many reasons and we have been reaching out to attract new members. Having a good spread of events seems key,’ says Philip Baker
The Eastbourne Naturist weekend
What started with an idea for an interesting afternoon turned into a full-on weekend in August. We’d read about the successful visit by the Association des Naturistes de Paris to the Palais de Tokyo gallery, and approached the local Towner gallery to arrange a group visit. To boost attendance, we decided to offer more reasons to spend the weekend in sunny Eastbourne, and so we organised a walk, a visit to a wellness centre and a day on the beach.
Hardy naturists arrived at the foot of the South Downs between Eastbourne and Lewes in the face of an uncertain weather forecast. Casting off our clothes immediately we set off uphill; the sun shone briefly and all seemed well. We passed the Long Man of Wilmington, apparently always missing a vital appendage, whose origins are unknown. Appearing on a Roman coin of 400 A.D. we like to think he is prehistoric and a symbol of our connection to nature and the landscape.
We climbed quickly up the chalk escarpment as the rain began, and on the top of the Downs even the sheep had run for cover as the winds increased to a rumoured 40 mph. Plastic waterproofs were donned, with hood, to ameliorate the blustery conditions. As the rain eased we met first a walking group of about 25 people – what were these mad people doing out in these conditions we said! Using our new policy we did not don our shorts, but exchanged merry ‘Hellos’.
On Saturday morning the air was chill, but it was fine and sunny with a clear blue sky. Twenty-two of us met up at a local wellbeing centre that has just started up, for a wild swim, hot tub and naturist lunch. This idyllic setting at the rear of a commercial business has its own man-made lake crafted as a giant bowl and clay lined, being six meters deep at the centre. Full of wild life – fish swimming with us and damsel flies darting about with swifts diving round and about made us feel part of the natural world and far from the consumer lifestyle going on just a few yards away.
Leaving there we set out for the charms of Eastbourne and the Towner modern art gallery. The gallery staff made us most welcome, treating us as ‘normal’ people with no fuss or bother. Indeed one member of staff was permitted to join us in the nude – as long as he retained his Towner neck band.
We were also joined by a writer from artnet.com who initially had asked just for a quote for a story but didn’t hesitate when invited to attend and she stripped and then wrote in the first person about her own nude gallery experience. For several members of our group, who travelled from as far afield as Milton Keynes, they were naked in public for the very first time and for others it was their first time in an art gallery and all enjoyed the unique experience.
This event showed the value of getting out into the public domain and demonstrating the ordinariness of being naked. The gallery found no need to cover the huge glass windows and we were perusing the gallery shop while unconcerned passers-by walked outside in plain view just the other side of the glass.
On Sunday it was our 2nd annual beach day at Norman’s Bay beach between Pevensey and Bexhill. Bexhill was the first south coast beach to permit mixed bathing in 1901 – racy huh! Normans’ Bay beach has been used by naturists for over 30 years and is a rare find these days as it has no urban sprawl behind it. Of course, as is our usual lot, it has no facilities – even the car park is closed – but it is best quality shingle! I lost count at 18 people who ignored the forecast and the roadworks to turn up.
Naturist talks
Inspired by BN’s campaign ‘Just One Person’, two good friends Keith Hillier-Palmer, Alan Peill and I started giving what has turned out to be a series of talks at clubs that are based on the TED format. TED talks are a platform giving speakers who are passionate about their subjects a way to convey ideas to a receptive audience in a short talk. TED’s Chris Anderson has said ‘The key part of the TED format is that we have humans connecting to humans in a direct and almost vulnerable way. You are on stage naked, so to speak.’ So we decided to take this literally!
We started talking last year when we discovered a local club called the Bavard (French for a chatterbox) Bar. We were then introduced to Dr David Bramwell, an accomplished speaker himself, who invited us to the Catalyst Club in Brighton. Having agreed a clothing optional arrangement, we were able to be free of clothes for all the three talks that evening. Our naturist party sat all together on the stage area and so inadvertently created a divide between the naked and the rest of the audience.
The Speakeasy Conversation Club in Worthing takes place in a basement owned by the non-profit Cellar Arts Club. It is a cosy 35 seat space with an integral bar, where as a speaker there you can almost touch the audience. We included in our talk our real experiences and the audience remained encouragingly attentive. Afterwards we had some great questions. There was great interest in what we had to say about the legal position and the current attitude of the police. We chatted to a lady who said that her daughter would probably love naturism and her advice to us was to keep plugging away with the talks to raise awareness of modern naturism and that we would be bound to attract new people and change people’s attitudes.
The Jerwood Gallery
Following our success at the Towner, we secured another nude gallery visit, this time at Hastings’ Jerwood gallery in September. The prime attraction was Henry Krokatsis’ SaunaKabin and being a working sauna members of the public could use it at certain times. I had contacted the Jerwood and explained that our group preferred the continental way of using a sauna – that is to be naked as wearing clothes seems senseless. So it was soon arranged that we would visit the whole gallery as naturists – save that sandals needed to be worn in the sauna!
In common with other works by the artist, the sauna cabin was raised off the ground and appeared to be magically floating in the courtyard. It seemed appropriate that this illusion added something more spiritual to the mundane routine of stripping off our clothes and cleansing ourselves. By providing a cold courtyard shower the artist also wanted the normally private activity of bathing to be brought into a public space. Kroksatsis is renowned for using reclaimed materials in his art. This also resonated with our group, as naturists are often keen environmentalists. Indeed, the day before, the Eastbourne group took part in the Marine Conservation Societies’ Great British BeachClean event at a local beach.
The other focus of our visit was Mark Wallinger’s gallery ‘A Human Figure in Space’ with mirrors that turn the visitors into the exhibit. It was an interesting take on the craze for selfie photographs, seeing yourself as a human among many, rather than unseen and separate.
With the photographer David Owens, a small group of us set about recreating the work of the Victorian photographer Eadweard Muybridge, who investigated movement in humans and animals. He captured some great pictures in spite of the poor light. I am delighted that the manager has also asked us to return to show them some of the pictures we took.
Sound Healing
Finally (for this article, at least) we arranged a naked sound healing session. I simply emailed the the teacher, Carolina and asked if we could have a session and be naked. I sent her some links to Eastbourne Herald article and to our website. We were a group of seven, so it was not so difficult to organise.
Carolina’s classes are also not usually done nude – the picture on the website shows people covered in blankets looking rather like mummies! The central idea of sound therapy is that the organs of the body (associated to chakras) are responsive to sound of particular frequencies.
Lying naked, eyes closed in a small room with good friends in a warm environment was immediately calming. The sound proofing of the studio removed all external sounds and peace descended. A complex range of sounds emanated from Carolina’s crystal bowls and tuning forks, seemingly omnidirectional. Whilst the tuning forks give out a crystal clear icy sound, the pulsating, room-filling hum from the bowls – each of which generates a different frequency and related harmonics was a revelation. From now on I shall be discarding my headphones and listening to music through the sound waves from my tall loudspeakers and I shall be listening in a state of nakedness! Further naked sound healing sessions are planned.

Success at Lancashire Sun Club

Success at Lancashire Sun Club

Ron O’Hare reports on success at Lancashire Sun
It seems a long time since the days of letters arriving requesting day visits, later progressing to dial-up internet and now superfast fibre broadband, but have we all moved with the times? Speaking as Membership Secretary of Lancashire Sun - and not pretending to be an expert - I have to ask myself and others if we are taking full advantage of modern technology and the devices/systems now available.
The invention of Smartphones has made the recruitment procedure and the visitor response system a whole new ball game. My own methods include responding to emails within minutes, with a short reply thanking the enquirer and promising a more detailed reply later that day, judging from comments made when they arrive on site, this usually surprises them and prevents them looking elsewhere. Being able to store documents with directions and basic visitor information within the Smartphone saves me a great deal of typing, as the documents can be easily attached to email replies.  
I guess there are always going to be the club contacts who answer emails promptly and the ones who may take an age to reply. As a BN club rep and regional newsletter editor, I take full advantage of being able to visit other clubs and swims, seeing and listening to various attitudes towards recruitment procedures. This helps me enormously as I can adopt the more advantageous techniques for Lancashire Sun.
My own experiences absolutely fascinate me! I encounter amazing attitudes, some saying we are just fine as we are and certainly don’t need new members, this after losing members on renewal day! Then there is always the quite bizarre expert ‘advice’ from non BN members who would like all overnight visitors to be BN members, obviously restricting visitor numbers accordingly. When I look around there are other obvious ‘own goals’ being scored by clubs including the requirement for the Membership Secretaries to make home visits to membership applicants!   
But so far, so good at my end! With tremendous assistance from some club members, especially new recruits, we have answered questions in the best possible way, by increasing membership numbers at Lancashire Sun to a level not experienced for many years and attracting many more visitors from various parts of the globe including Australasia, in turn swelling the club funds substantially, enabling club projects to be completed.
We do live in an entirely different age to our predecessors and club recruitment is an enormous challenge and responsibility these days. I know how hard BN officials work to increase BN membership numbers and clubs too must adapt and regard our visitors as VIPs. They are the future of our clubs and are just as important, if not more so than long serving members. My attitude seems to surprise some committee members when suggesting that they should attend the club to accommodate visitors rather than visitors arriving to coincide with their presence. 
We must eventually look at replacing ourselves too! When suitable candidates do join our ranks, we must step aside from our positions. Communicating and working with BN, both regionally and nationally has given me an enormous advantage and a fascinating insight into a marvellous community, being able to liaise with experienced personnel on matters relating to club etiquette, public relations,  promotions and other procedures.
It’s been a great Journey so far! Do come and join us. 
Ron O’Hare

North West swims - the good news keeps coming!

North West swims - the good news keeps coming!

A short while ago news broke that Wigton Baths, hot on the success of GBSD, would be running three trial naturist swims. The trustees are pleased and proud to announce that the swims have officially proved to be so popular that they will continue running indefinitely.
In fact, the comparison between regular use of the pool and naturist use of the pool is important to recognise. On a Saturday afternoon a handful of people turn up to use the pool but during the Naturist swim there are more than 40.
So, when the trial swims were first announced it drew the attention of one local reporter, Roger Lytollis, who took the bold step to turning up and taking part. The bolder step? He chose to write about it with maturity, respect and charm.
Arriving at the pool without any prior naturist experience, Roger noted that his initial nervousness dissipated almost as soon as he saw that no one was paying him any untoward attention. What followed was a swim in which he casually chatted with patrons, interviewed some and otherwise enjoyed a new experience. All it took was a little bit of curiosity and the strength of conviction to simply satisfy it.
And there we have it: proof that it is not ridiculous to think that your local swimming pool or sports centre would turn down requests for nude swims. If we’re still looking for morals to the stories there is one that calls out louder than any other… If you don’t ask, you don’t get!
The next naturist swimming session at Wigton Baths is on Saturday 12th January.
 
It’s been a long, long time coming but Blackpool and Fylde Sun Club have climbed a mountain and planted their flag right at the summit. 
Since 2008 Blackpool & Fylde Sun Club have been using the YMCA run Poulton Swimming and Fitness Centre for their weekly swim. The agreement with YMCA and the centre was such that the group would have access to the pool, sauna and steam room.
Fast forward to May 2015 when the centre opened their shiny new spa facilities after several months of development work and naturally the Sun Club asked for access to these facilities too. After all, having access to the spa was, logically, almost a foregone conclusion. However, the spa management saw things a little differently and required the sun club to clamber into their swimming costumes if they wanted to use the new area. Suddenly things seemed to take a turn for the illogical.
However, enter George Booth, Chairman of the sun club. For more than three years George and the club refused to give up, refused to give in and refused to take no for an answer. It took 68 emails, dozens of phone calls, a few meetings, a local MP, a handful of councillors and a majority consensus that the decision to require clothing was, indeed, non-sensical, to make enough noise. Now, the management team have granted the club their wish: full access to the spa, alongside their usual access to the pool, sauna and steam room, during their time at the fitness centre. No clothes required. No problems to be had.
The moral of the story? Persistence really does pay off. Stick at something long enough and you’ll show the world what can be achieved with just a little patience and passion.
If you’d like to enjoy the facilities too, you’ll be able to on the first Saturday of every month, between 7 and 9pm, beginning in January 2019. The club welcomes you to join them at the Thornton Lodge pub afterwards too.
 

BN to exhibit at Event City, Manchester

BN to exhibit at Event City, Manchester

We are pleased to announce that British Naturism will be exhibiting in Manchester at The Event City Caravan and Motorhome show in January.
This is one of the biggest shows in the leisure calendar and continues British Naturism’s promise of making Naturism accessible to all.
Whilst the show will be good for promoting Naturism and the organisation, its main goal is to raise awareness of our growing events programme, giving non-Naturists an excellent, easy way to give clothes-freedom a try. With the NKD Festival and Nudefest we now have more than ever to offer visitors to a show like this.
Mark and Pam from our events team will be there throughout as well as a handful of volunteers at various times during the show. If you are going please pop along and say hello.
Held at Event City, right next door to Manchester’s Trafford Centre, the Caravan and Motorhome Show attracts thousands of camping and caravanning enthusiasts and has all the leading brands exhibiting. It is a great day out for all the family and with one of the biggest shopping centres in the UK right next door too - what's not to like?
There is an exclusive rate for BN Members of only £8.00 if purchased in advance - U18’s are free and parking is free too!
We have 10 pairs of tickets available for The Manchester Caravan & Motorhome exhibition. To be in with a chance of winning your passes head to www.bnevents.co.uk/win - entries close JAN 7th.
You can buy tickets via this link https://caravanman.seetickets.com/event/the-caravan-motorhome-show/eventcity/1252518?OfferCode=BN1
Hopefully see you in Manchester in January.

Skinny Dipping Charity Calendar

Skinny Dipping Charity Calendar

Do you hear that sound? That faint jingle jangle of the sleigh bells getting louder and louder, closer and closer? With less than 3 weeks to go there’s no escaping it now. Maybe you’ve been super organized this year and have the presents sorted already? Maybe you’ve been nice and relaxed about the whole thing and are calmly waiting for December 23rd to start and finish it all? Either way, here’s a wonderful option for a stocking filler:
The Skinny Dipping Wales Charity Calendar 2019.
After a fantastic year for skinny dippers all over the UK fellow naturists in Wales continue to do stellar work in keeping the Naturism flag flying high and proud. Spearheaded by Sian Chislett, the Skinny Dipping Wales Charity Calendar 2019 has been produced to raise funds for 2 Wish Upon A Star, a charity providing bereavement support for families who have suddenly and traumatically lost a child or young adult aged 25 years and under. Sadly, Sian and her family experienced the tragic loss of 5-year-old Josie Alice Hunt, but were overwhelmed by the support they received from the charity and want to make sure the charity can continue being there for other families in need. By making a contribution to a very worthwhile cause and buying the calendar, we can get involved and help too.
So, no matter what your tactics for conquering Christmas shopping are, consider ordering a classy charity calendar. After all, we can’t think of a better place to keep track of all of the exciting events BN has lined up for everyone in 2019.
The calendar is available now for a minimum donation of £14. Your contributions will go a long way.

BN218 - Winter 2018

BN218 - Winter 2018

Welcome to BN218: the feature-tastic final publication of a year that will go down in BN history as one of the biggest and best yet. Highlights of this winter edition of the BN Magazine include:
A whole host of fantastic features ranging from Sue’s thoughts on becoming a Naturist; notes on a big year for BN and The Great British Skinny Dip; and Eastbourne’s many Naturist activities. From Skinny Dipping to Swimming Galas: Team BN bring home their biggest medal haul yet Looking to the future: the shape of BN to come. The YBN resurgence continues: Pam’s first year with YBN and Ed’s Naked Mileage. Another step in the right direction: legal success in Scotland. Full Event Report Roundup including the BN National Convention, Women’s Day and Windermere Woodland Weekend. Big Days Out: take a look at our new-look BN Events website! Our members’ very unique experiences of holidaying throughout France, from Rekha and Stephen’s experience of riding around France on a tandem bicycle to Luke’s guide to Beaches on the Cote d’Azur. ...and much, much more besides, all richly illustrated in full colour!
Taylor Boxall
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of the annual subscription. If you are not a member, you can join us and get your own copy through the post and as a download and other benefits as well.

The Natural - under new ownership

The Natural - under new ownership

The Natural Curaçao: a beautiful future assured! 
The Natural Curaçao is known worldwide as a clothing optional resort where peace and nature are central. Over the years, the resort has experienced a healthy growth. A unique concept is at the heart of this growth. Our loyal visitors come from all over the world with one goal in mind: enjoy peace in a suitable place where respect for everyone is paramount. Our visitors are both experienced naturists as well as people who are enjoying their first experience.
On the 1st October, management was taken over by us, a Belgian couple, Judith and Kris. Thanks to our ambitions, a perfect combination of naturism and tranquillity can exist within this beautiful location in the middle of nature of Curaçao, an island in the Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean, off the cost of Venezuela. 
Kris: "When we were looking for an appropriate investment a few months ago, it was very important to us that we could find our soul in our future project. We love everything that nature has to offer and realize that everybody needs some moments of peace. The world of today keeps on running at a hellish pace and demands its toll every day. Burn-outs and depression are the worst ailments of this century. The Natural Curacao is the perfect medicine. Just charging the batteries within an oasis of peace works wonders. I speak from experience. We therefore decided to fully retain the current concept as it is: being able to enjoy being naked, in calm and natural surroundings. When we saw the reviews on various booking sites, it was clear that the resort is very much appreciated. As people always say: never change a winning team!
The current daily rates also remain valid. We will soon expand the number of available accommodations (especially the safari tents are very popular!) and start up new internal activities (e.g. setting up a small, cosy bar where visitors are welcome in the evening). We like to listen to the wishes of visitors.
We focus on all ages (from the age of 14), with a clear appeal to young people who unfortunately still think too often that enjoying free times is only possible within a world of luxury and entertainment. We prove that it can be done differently and that enjoyment can be simple. Naturism is for all age. We never doubted the “clothing optional” formula that we offer. Everyone is welcome and if one still hesitates whether or not to enjoy their stay naked, we do respect their choice. The Natural Curaçao has a loyal audience. 
May we welcome you soon? We are looking forward to it.
Sunny natural greetings
Judith & Kris

Dine Naked in December

Dine Naked in December

Dine Naked Bristol returned in October after a summer break, with their fifth food-in-the-nude event involving taking over Bristol's Cauldron restaurant. The evening was a great success, with 35 diners tucking into a cheekily-themed four-course feast.
The evening’s specially-created menu began with an amuse bouch of ‘well hung cheese’ (home cultured cow’s milk cheese, hung for 8 hours in cheese cloth, smoked salt and salted cucumber). The banquet proceeded with a starter of ‘undressed crab’, and a choice of mains including roast rump with white bits and dumplings, lush sausage, or ‘shy coconut with bejazzled rice’. One vegan option was dubbed ‘In the Gnudi’ (cashew cheese-filled potato dumplings, pickled red cabbage, and autumnal greens). Diners then enjoyed ‘A Lovely Pear’ (mulled wine-poached English pear), and finished with a ‘Skinny Dip’ (raw cocoa truffle and fruit compote).
Despite the innuendo, we always emphasise that the events are not sexual. We want more people to be able to experience nudity in a friendly, safe, non-sexual environment. They were delighted that, as at previous events, diners included several nude first-timers. And it was great to visit The Cauldron - a proud supporter of local suppliers, with the UK's first fully solid-fuelled kitchen in over 100 years.
2018 will finish with a December feast at The Bristol Cookhouse (details and menu here) on Saturday 15 December. 
All six events we've run this year have sold out within a couple of days, proving there's demand for naked dining. Venues are asking us to arrange return visits! Next year, we'll go to some new venues, return to some old favourites, and try some larger venues. And I'd like to arrange a special dining event in the summer. To find out more, visit www.dinenaked.co.uk. If you want to be notified as soon as events are announced, email hello@dinenaked.co.uk.

A Naturist 'Waterloo Sunset'

A Naturist 'Waterloo Sunset'

On a cold November evening we queued in a subway under Waterloo Station with shadowy figures in hoodies everywhere practising their graffiti art. The smell of paint aerosols filled the air as we waited patiently for the doors of The Vaults theatre to open. We heard wolf whistles as a man appeared from inside wearing some flimsy Greek apparel. As we went inside for a 'performance' of Divine Proportions I suspect many of us wondered exactly what we would be seeing. The show has been running  since September but this evening was a special 'clothes optional' event for the audience and most stripped off straight away in the large bar area. Many had taken the Greek myths theme on board and were wearing appropriate headgear or various pieces of carefully draped cloth. Gradually the room filled with a hundred or so people and we recognised a number of BN members.
So what was it all about? The evening was all about the sum of the parts. Firstly, we were chatting in a bar area... and the Vaults definitely has a great underground atmosphere. Then gradually some of the cast made appearances whilst teasing the audience, followed by Madonna's Like a Prayer with cast and audience singing and dancing. The cast - and not just for tonight - were only partially costumed; topless with body paint, glitter and make up. We had Dionysus and the Maenads, then later Aphrodite, Eros and Persephone. There was comedy and most of it was quite raunchy. You probably wouldn't want to be there with your Mum...the line that summed the event up was 'Fornication and drinking to excess is hard work...but someone has to do it.'
After about an hour we were led up to the main area where the next phase took place. The room had three long tables with a stage at one end and a bar at the other. As each course progressed there was more singing, comedy, dance and dialogue from the cast. The food itself was very different and actually much better than I expected. The menu was quirky and  different. Ingredients such as pink cured kohlrabi and puffed amaranth were certainly new to me. The dessert of caramelised white chocolate, coconut milk and honey ganache, pomegranate, figs and flowers was particularly yummy. We had plenty of time to chat at the tables as well which was a plus.
At the end of the show I chatted with two of the cast and asked them if it had been very different with a naked audience. They both agreed that the audience had been terrific, really responsive and it had really added to the atmosphere. This had been exactly the same reaction when I interviewed the cast of Hair at the same venue last year. 
After the show we returned to the bar area for a disco and the dance floor was packed. Some of the cast joined in  - fully naked this time. If the music was a little modern for our tastes it was fine for the mainly younger folk who danced and we gave it a good bash as well! We spent over five hours at the venue and had a fun time. If you were expecting a play with a plot you would have been disappointed. I think some of the people I have known from naturist clubs in years gone by would have been apoplectic at the idea of Naturism in this setting but most have us have moved on and know that naked dancing doesn't lead to an orgy on the disco floor. I suspect many of the younger members of the audience were not from naturist backgrounds and clearly loved the experience and I'm sure will be looking to do more of the same.
The reviewer in Time Out said, 'It’s rare that we’d advocate being naked during a show, but this is one of the rare occasions where the humidity might suit the free-your-inhibitions vibe.' Amerie Rose of Theatre Obscura said, "What a marvellously willing crowd, edging into the unknown and finding safety, good company and a wonder-filled time."
Chris Grady of the Chris Grady organisation has to be thanked for once again enabling this clothes free event and making sure BN members were invited. Chris was also responsible for the clothes optional Hair audience last year. He told me, '"It made me joyful to see the glory of the human body. Every form of revelation and adornment on show. It seemed sensuous and on fire. I am sure Dionysius and the gods will have been smiling"
Andy Wyman

Launching the BN Member's Holidays for 2019!

Launching the BN Member's Holidays for 2019!

Now open for booking!
We've been beavering away behind the scenes with our sponsor and travel partner Chalfont Holidays to put together a full, exciting schedule and are now delighted to bring you all NINE Members' only Holidays for 2019. 
Travel with us and a group of like-minded people to Austria, Spain, Croatia, Rhodes, Lanzarote, France and Corsica. The programme includes old favourites and new venues. There is even the opportunity to enjoy two group venues in one trip!
Check out the group holidays page for all the details. 

Alton Towers - what an event!

Alton Towers - what an event!

This weekend we were back for our annual Alton Towers take over at the Splash Landings Hotel & Waterpark. Almost 400 Naturists descended on the themed aquatic playground for a full weekend - the waterpark was open throughout and there was an excellent line-up of daytime activities and evening entertainment. The Alton Towers weekend is a special BN member only event attracting a good mix of families and friends plus plenty of new faces too, from all over the country.
Entertainment this year included Born in Chicago, an awesome Blues Brothers tribute which kicked off the party in style on the Friday night. This followed a crazy and energetic quiz hosted by Mark & Pam from the BN Events Team.
Saturday was packed full of healthy activities from the morning stretch & stroll to yoga to the more energetic aquarobics and nudercise. Craft and life drawing proved as popular as ever with each session brimming to capacity. 
Saturday evening was one to remember with an Irish theme. The green body paint was in full force and when the UV lights were on the shamrocks, leprechauns and pots of gold glowed with awe. Entertainment was at the heart of Saturday evening starting with the family all action disco into a fantastic cabaret variety act I had ever seen, El Loco – The Dentists Chair, an incredibly slick comedy mime act set to music. Then came the Irish band – The Dublin Raiders who got the party into full swing. The night finished with a three-DJ silent disco and a packed dance floor till 2am.
Alton Towers is always a great event, it is the finale to a great Naturist year, a chance for everyone to let their hair down and celebrate a clothes free lifestyle. Alton Towers will return in 2019 the 15th – 17th November. Keep an eye on bnevents.co.uk for all the details.

It's the Alton Towers weekend!

It's the Alton Towers weekend!

BN Members from all over the country will descend on Alton Towers' Splash Landings Hotel and Waterpark later today for our annual naked winter weekend.
Around 400 guests are expected, including families and people of all ages. 
Activities include live bands, disco, comedy, body painting, exercise classes, quiz and life drawing. We'll be raising money for Children in Need - that's Pudsey Bare...
Chalfont Holidays will be launching the new BN Members' Holidays for 2019 and a Caribbean cruise courtesy of Bare Necessities is up for grabs in a silent auction.
Best of all we undress at 6pm on Friday evening and don't have to dress again until Sunday lunchtime! 

Locals petition against Irish nude beach signs

Locals petition against Irish nude beach signs

From the good to the ugly, by way of the bad, Naturism is once again in the press. After the welcome maturity of the last couple of news articles, The Irish Sun has seen fit to lower the tone again with its writer, Kieran Dineen, childishly filling his article with tired and immature clichés such ‘erect’ and ‘bum’s rush’.

The story concerns the failed attempt at designating Ireland’s first naturist-friendly beach as such. Incredibly a petition against the plans signed by just 33 locals, alongside a handful of additional objections, have all proven to be enough to halt proceedings for putting up public notices around Hawk’s Cliff, Co Dublin, informing the public that the area is clothing optional. The real irony here is that the area had been historically tolerant to nude bathers but simply lacked any explicit signage identifying it as such.

However, more than all of this, the truly alarming result of the report is the evidence of a deep, dark prejudice against those who practice Naturism: that designating a beach as clothing optional would “bring people in that shouldn’t come into the town” because it “does not send out the right message.” I, for one, can only see one incorrect message being sent here…

So, to all of those bathers now seemingly denied an officially designated area to do so nude, we British Naturists share your frustration and fully support you. Ireland is a truly beautiful country with stunning coastlines and that it lacks a single, official stretch of it for nude bathing is a remarkable loss. May this swiftly be changed!

Success at Wigton!

Success at Wigton!

The UK's newest Naturist swim got off to a flying start with no less than 53 swimmers attending the first Wigton Swim on Saturday.
Put in perspective, a usual attendance on a Saturday afternoon would be closer to 20. Thanks for everyone who made the effort and especially those that travelled a long distance to support it. There is - not surprisingly - talk of extending the sessions beyond the initial trial.
The next swim will be on the 8th December. See you there?
 

BN in the Daily Telegraph again!

BN in the Daily Telegraph again!

Things are continuing to move forwards very nicely with regards to the great attention Naturism is being paid in the press recently, and The Telegraph’s ‘A nudist’s guide to body confidence’ by Anna Clarke based on interviews with BN members, is no exception. The piece, focused on the intersection of body confidence and Naturism, is another straight-talking and genuine slice of journalism eschewing sensationalism in favour of open-mindedness. Being naked, the author argues, is actually quite fashionable! Moreover, the article quickly acknowledges the headway we’re making in ‘edging towards the ‘nude not crude’ way of thinking’.

One thing that really stands out about the article is how much time is spent really trying to connect with non-Naturists by highlighting the opportunities for self-development, self-acceptance and self-awareness that are abundant within the practice of removing one’s clothes. It also, crucially, paints the Naturist attitude to nudity as entirely healthy and necessary.

It’s a short article but continues to highlight the fact that people are truly coming more accepting of, and interested in, Naturism. Particular thanks and gratitude to all of those BN members who contributed to the report – your openness and enthusiasm for Naturism is a beautiful thing! 

Three Naturist Clubs in Ontario, Canada

Three Naturist Clubs in Ontario, Canada

As we know, life is sometimes a compromise and to enjoy a holiday and explore another country, it’s not always possible to plan to stay at only naturist venues, as desirable as it may be, for the entire holiday.  This was the case when we spent a very enjoyable four weeks in Canada in the late summer, early autumn last year.
We arrived in Toronto and after spending a few days with our family who live in Burlington, a delightful area on Lake Ontario, we collected our RV (Recreational Vehicle) from the local Cruise Canada depot and headed north. It was our first time in Canada and our first RV experience, although we have a touring caravan at home.  We were determined to see a lot, but not spend all day, every day, travelling and so planned to spend some nights at commercial sites and others at naturist locations.
After a stop of two nights in Huntsville we made our way to our first naturist site, and the one we were looking forward to visiting the most, Lake Jewel Wilderness.  As the name implies, it is very remote, certainly by the standards of our many previous naturist sites visited around Europe.  After finding the turning off highway 17 onto Riding Stable Road we followed the instructions, continued for 6.3kms on a forest track until we reached the gate - then it’s only another 1.5kms to the lake and 640 acres of wilderness! 
Our arrival on site was something like discovering a new tribe in the wild, naked people appeared from all over the place as much as to say, “What are you doing here?”  As you can tell we were not expected.  We had been in email communication with John Bedows, the owner of the site who unbeknown to us had sadly passed away following a very short illness only a couple of weeks before our arrival and no one else knew of us.  Five minutes later and we were being shown a selection of pitches by Steve who now manages the site on behalf of Betty, John’s widow.  From then on we could not have been made more welcome, we were invited to the daily 4pm Happy Hour “Just bring a can - we will be over there - come and join us” 
Then off for some canoeing on the lake and an invitation to the Corn Roast, more beer, more chat about naturism in the UK and more friends made.  As we said, it was remote, water is drawn from the lake and while it is apparently safe to drink, we didn’t risk it.  The loos are of the compost variety, completely adequate. As we lay in bed at night you could hear wolves howling, thankfully in the distance.  On our last full day we were invited to go along to the local fire station for a community charity breakfast 0 all you could eat for $10. As we had the RV, two members arranged to take us along in their large 4x4 before returning for a swim, more canoeing and a wood fired sauna – fantastic. We were sorry to say goodbye after only three nights.
On now towards Ottawa via a commercial sites at Pembroke, in beautiful countryside if it wasn’t for the torrential rain. It was Labour Day in Canada, a big public holiday at the end of the summer, so it’s not just the UK that has wet Bank Holidays!  After a two night stop over at a municipal site almost next door to the Park and Ride, we spent a fantastic day in Ottawa, Canada’s capital.  We then moved on to East Haven, a more conventional naturist club for adults only, some 30 miles outside the city.  We received a warm welcome from owner Yogi and many of the members on site for their last weekend before the site closed for winter.  It was after all the 8th September and members were packing up ready for the severe winter to come.
The site is very well kept with many trailers complete with slide-outs along with static lodges and about a dozen touring pitches with full service hook-ups.  The site enjoys a great swimming pool heated by a massive wood burning stove, hand built by Daniel, Yogi’s partner, producing a pool temperature of 32C, more like a Jacuzzi.  The actual Jacuzzi is set beside the pool with full electric controls.  The site does not allow children, the thought being to allow their parents time to get away from it all for the vacation. The site used to allow them, but Yogi found she was being used as a free of charge Nanny service and changed the rules several years ago, it was feared the membership numbers would suffer, but the opposite has happened with a waiting list for permanent pitches now operating.  It was while we were here that the weather took a much improved turn for the better and would continue with blue sky and sunshine right though the rest of our time in Canada. Why pack up for winter in high 20 degree sunshine?
In fact, the weather was so good, we stayed an extra day at East Haven before enjoying 3 great days in Bon Echo Provincial Park enjoying swimming, walking and a days canoeing (20kms). Now to our final stop before returning home, this time to Bare Oaks Naturist Park. 
As many will have read and some experienced, Bare Oaks is a complete naturist complex, owned and commercially run by Stephane Deschênes and his team.  All staff work naked, including those in the reception office, weather permitting, promoting the naked lifestyle throughout.  The site has two pools, a lake for swimming, sauna, jacuzzi, restaurant and bar for members and guests.  In contrast to East Haven, the club attracts younger families with lots of children along with very permanent and expensive cabins where some, mostly retired members, have set up home for the complete 12 month year.  We enjoyed the site, although the RV touring pitches were rather cramped in comparison to other sites visited, but we had great neighbours again who made us very welcome.
In conclusion, we had a great time and mixing naturist sites with more commercial stops worked well for us. Ok - it would have been nice to spend the whole time at naturist sites but as we said at the beginning, life is a compromise ……..!
 Graham and Julia Holland
 

International Naturist Swimming Gala - Team BN Ranked Second!

International Naturist Swimming Gala - Team BN Ranked Second!

In October the 16 swimmers in the BN Swim Team and their supporters set off to Le Havre, France to represent British Naturism at the 47thINF-FNI Swimming Gala.
Swimmers range from age 10 upwards and the races are organised by age group as given in the INF-FNI Sports Rules. There are over 100 races during the event and it is kept on schedule by the INF-FNI Sports Officer and the German Swimming Association officials. The races are divided into four strokes and male/female plus relays. Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd as usual. It’s a hectic full on day but the atmosphere is friendly and supportive across all nationalities. The taking part is most important, winning is secondary, everyone is clapped and cheered from the youngest to the oldest, the fastest to the slowest. Naturists around the world are a friendly and respectful group of people.
This year BN, the 4th largest team present, came second in the medal table with 18 gold, 11 Silver and 6 Bronze, our best ever result! Well done to everyone on the team.
It’s a sociable occasion and the night before we gathered for dinner and drinks. We shared our hotel with the French and Italian teams. The atmosphere was very warm and friendly, we renewed our acquaintance with swimmers from previous galas as well as making new friends with first timers.
In the evening a Gala Dinner is held where everyone can relax and let their hair down. Speeches are given, thank-yous and gifts exchanged. Music and dancing overcome the language barrier and much fun is had, being in France the champagne and wine flowed freely with much “Entente Cordiale”.
Next year the Gala will be held in Paris on the weekend of 18th to 20th October 2019, in a city centre pool, more details will be released in the coming months. This provides an open invitation for all BN members to affordably visit the French capital. Many new countries are showing an interest in joining us next year at this event which is good for the future of the event and International Naturism in general. “Vive la Famille Naturiste”
If you want to enter this event as a swimmer you must take part in the BN National Gala. This will take place on 27 April 2019. The event is open to BN members and members of BN clubs - keep any eye out on the BN website as details become available. If you don’t want to (or can’t) swim you can come along and support the team, it is always encouraging to have friends and family cheering from the side-lines.
I can guarantee that whether you swim or come along as a supporter you will have an interesting and fun time with other naturists of many nationalities. “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite”
Jane Caunt
 
Photo: Jean-Luc Bouland from Naturisme Magazine
 

Launching Nudefest 2019!

Launching Nudefest 2019!

8th – 15th July - Thorney Lakes, Somerset
 One of the highlights of the Naturist calendar for many is Nudefest, a week-long camping festival held at Thorney Lakes camp site in Somerset.
 Over the past few years Nudefest has gone from strength, now attracting over 400 Naturists from all over the UK. The huge site allows for all accommodations from humble tents to monster RV’s and motorhomes, an annual Naturist community in the beautiful Somerset countryside.
Nudefest is all about getting the Naturist community together and having a great time. At the heart of Nudefest is the central marquees where all the action takes place from morning yoga to life drawing, informative discussions to basket weaving classes, there is always something going on. Every evening too there is live entertainment from a whole host of entertainers and bands, this year including a night of glam rock and an awesome tribute to Queen.
Great news too for runners as we welcome back the Nudefest 5K & 10K on Saturday July 13th. This clothes-free run has gone from strength to strength attracting runners from all over the UK to take part. Run passes also include a day pass to Nudefest too.
Nudefest is open to all Naturists and welcomes international visitors with open arms. 
Both BN and INF members save 25% compared to the cost of a non-member.
Pricing starts at only £24 per person per night and includes entry, pitch fees and all entertainment.
Find out more at nudefest.co.uk