Oh, and thanks to everyone who has become a member!
News and Articles
News and articles about BN and the wonderful world of Naturism
Oh, and thanks to everyone who has become a member!
This Valentine's Day, fall in love with your body...
The film we contributed to about last year’s The Great British Skinny Dip will be aired on Channel 4, 10pm, 14 Feb…
You can see the trailer here -
Click here to watch again On Demand for 30 days
The Great British Skinny Dip
In 2016 British Naturism, Britain’s largest group devoted to the naked lifestyle, organised a mass event to encourage more people to give it a go, challenging British attitudes to nudity along the way. “Septembare”, the brainchild of the organisation’s Andrew Welch, offered the British public the chance to join a mass skinny dip in pools, lakes and beaches across the country, over one weekend in September.
Filmed over 8 months, this documentary follows the attempt to co-opt venues and drum up support, and explores what the appeal is – why a range of people from all walks of life enjoy spending their spare time in the buff and how they manage to do it in a country where the climate doesn’t naturally lend itself.
Naturism is increasingly being sought out online by young people seeking escapism, fun and freedom – choosing to lay themselves bare at a time of increased body consciousness and airbrushing. With access to nudist clubs across the country as well as wilder activities off the beaten track, this film lifts the lid on the world of naturism, climaxing with the skinny dip weekend which may or may not bring new converts to the faith.
Brilliant new research shows that Naturism boosts self-esteem, happiness and life satisfaction.
Here's an article from the Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4156788/Being-naked-makes-happier-bodies.html
...and the research paper itself http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-017-9846-1
... and a video made by the researcher.
The numbers at the Naturist Southampton swim were also boosted with a record-breaking 42 guests, including many newcomers.
Check out our calendar for more classes and swims in 2017.
Club events, weekly and monthly swims, exercise classes, garden visits, rambles, exhibitions…there are plenty of things to choose from. It's updated all the time and events are even colour-coded to help you find the ones in your area.
Check out the full calendar now which you can also access from the menu bar under 'Events'...see you there!
Check out the GBSD website for more information, advice, contacts. BN members can find lots of discussion over in the members area on this website.
Not a member? Come and join us here
10 Naked all the time I can!
9 Naked at all BN events.
8 Naked at Naturist clubs.
7 Naked on dedicated Naturist beaches.
6 Naked on holiday abroad.
5 Naked in own (secluded) garden.
4 Naked in own home alone.
3 Naked; might be tempted but unlikely.
2 Naked; only when essential.
1 Naked? No! Don’t even talk about it!
When I started encouraging other people to give Naturism a try I knew some thought it was a strange thing done by weird people, plus me. Well they obviously weren’t classing me as weird, they must have meant the others!
I soon decided there were different degrees of perceived weirdness as we are individuals and all have different reasons for being Naturist and different ways of being so.
I make no secret of the fact that when I met my husband and realised he belonged to a Naturist club I told him not to even ask me to go there as I wouldn’t, not ever, never!
So that was me at number 1.
Then I relented and thought I ought to at least give it a try for his sake, as I could tell he’d enjoyed going. So I wavered between 3 and 4.
Meanwhile I tried Naturism for the first time on the Welsh Morfa Dyffryn beach. Going naked on a public beach is easier than being up close to people and there’s a certain amount of protection from the anonymity it provides. That took me up to 7.
That experience prompted me to discovering, on a wet day in May, that the club grounds were lovely; the bluebells amongst the trees were beautiful. The few members present came across as friendly, “normal” people, so I agreed to return when the weather was sunny: the rest is history! That placed me at number 8.
In the past 12 yrs as Public Relations Officer for my club I have been interviewed and photographed for magazines and newspapers, spoken on local radio (I was naked for that!) and even filmed for a television programme (for which I stayed dressed and was subsequently labelled a prudish Naturist!) I know the media like to use nudity to increase the viewing figures but I have frequently warned them to watch out for the eccentrics. They are in all walks of life, not just the Naturist community, and they love the attention and are sometimes more of an exhibitionist than a regular Naturist, after all, Naturism is about feeling good and never about being looked at.
Ahh, but what, I hear you ask, is a “regular Naturist”? A very good question! This is where my Naturist scale came in. Initially I thought being a Naturist meant you preferred not to wear clothes but I’ve since discovered it isn’t that simple. Some will only strip off in certain situations and are uncomfortable in others. I’d thought being a Naturist at ease with one’s own nudity would include being at ease with other people’s nudity too but it seems this isn’t always the case and this surprises me.
Most houses now have draught free UPVC windows and central heating and, with lovely warm duvets, people no longer need to wear clothes to sleep in but just because I sleep naked doesn’t mean all Naturists do. Whilst I personally have never felt the need to attend a Naturist shopping night in a local store (imagine the hassle of getting undressed, what to do with your clothes, the look of the sales assistants and passers-by staring in the windows!) attend “cinema in the buff” (why would I want to sit naked in the dark with other naked people?) ride a Northampton test lift tower (but then I don’t like heights or being crammed into a small space with a lot of people, naked or otherwise) appear naked on TV (unnecessary and anyway, they are never actually seen to be completely naked so why bother?) or even streak across a cricket ground (that is so old hat!) but I really don’t mind if other Naturists do all of these things and their doing so wouldn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I also think there are two main categories of Naturism; “Outdoors” and “Indoors/Outdoors”. I mostly fall into the Outdoor category. I had no idea why people wanted to take part in social nudity until I felt the warm breeze on my bare skin and realised it was because it felt good! As simple as that! I don’t necessarily need the hot sunshine to bask in. Just give me enough warmth to feel comfortable and it can be in shade or cloud but, preferably, not rain!
There are many who see Naturism as a way to obtain an all over tan without the dreaded white bits – which, trust me, can be one of the worst things to happen to a Naturist! These people will be seen poolside in foreign climes or only on the hottest, brightest days of our own summers. Many of this category will lay on their sun beds, rotating slowly all afternoon but come sundown, they are up and dressed even if the temperature doesn’t drop drastically. They equate cloudy weather and sunset as the time to be clothed whilst the rest want to remain naked until they feel the cold and dress accordingly.
Foreign holidays are also a time many will go skinny-dipping but deny being a Naturist and would never do the same thing back home. They are only comfortable whilst they have the excitement of the holiday to explain their enjoyment of nudity, albeit short lived.
The other main category will strip off whenever, and wherever, they can. They will attend any Naturist location and event purely to be naked whether indoors or out and even in inclement weather. These are the 10s. They might even have their heating on higher in the colder months so that they can remain naked in comfort. While I choose not to pay higher energy bills to do this, I have no problem with those who do. Actually it’s sometimes nice to snuggle under a soft blanket on the settee on a winter’s night, so I do what I prefer and they do what they prefer. I’m not adverse to winter Naturism, in fact I’ve washed my car naked on a cold but bright New Year’s Day – at the club, I hasten to add, not outside my house!
Some want to live their lives naked and consider it unnecessary to dress even when they have visitors to their house. They are saying, “I’m a Naturist, accept me as I am!” and if it works for them, who am I to suggest it’s wrong? But there are those who will. I think it would be best if the visitors are aware of this decision before they enter the home but having just come in, they will know the way out if they can’t cope! I would respect the home owner’s choice as “The Englishman’s home is his castle”.
I’ve attended a BN AGM that wasn’t at a Naturist venue and I considered the few that wanted to challenge their right to be naked were actually being unreasonable and it was correct for BN to consider others in the building that hadn’t expected, or chosen, to see naked people. That didn’t make any of us any less of a Naturist.
I have noticed those playing at BN sporting events are often partially or fully clothed and few are naked and I’ve heard people complain that you’d hardly know it was a Naturist event. Maybe they should ask the contestants why they do this. I did. They explained it’s due to comfort and warmth as well as sometimes feeling a little too exposed bending down whilst under close scrutiny of the spectators, such as occurs with a game of Petanque. I can understand that.
I often hear people talking about their particular club’s rules which usually make perfect sense as a club has to create a pleasant and safe environment for their members else they won’t continue to be members and the club could easily fall into financial difficulties.
It’s understandable that clubs make one or two evening socials quite formal as even Naturists like to don their dinner suits and sparkly gowns at times and most think fancy dress is fun but the majority prefer discos and dances to be clothed as they object to naked people getting up close and personal on the dance floor, but are they right to ban it? People should behave well whether clothed or not and Naturism is a non-sexual nudity but if they feel there’s a risk, they should perhaps dance further apart! There are those who say they don’t want to see “people’s bits jiggle up and down”. We say Naturism is about body confidence and not necessarily body beautiful so perhaps we should accept people’s wobbly bits and live for the moment! Those who can fully immerse themselves into the music are to be envied, not criticised.
BN events are obviously going to be encouraging nudity as that is their reason for existence. Be prepared to be naked 24/7 during meetings, activities, meals and dancing. It’s perfectly obvious why events such as the water park at Alton Towers suits Naturism; none of us would want to return to wearing soggy swimwear!
Seasoned BN members see nudity as a lifestyle and will carry out all their activities, be it body painting, yoga, debating or dining, whilst naked and think nothing of it. Their nudity continues through the evening of music and dancing and it seems to work well as I’ve never heard of anyone being evicted from the dance floor for inappropriate behaviour.
I thought Naturism was about body acceptance and being comfortable in your own skin amongst like-minded people but it seems some have a problem and there are still times, even within a Naturist environment, that nudity is frowned upon. I think the solution to all of these situations is simply “Personal Choice”.
I think we need to accept that with any large group of people there will be different preferences and we should be more lenient towards one another, respect one another’s choices and accept, though we all do things slightly differently, we all embrace the one thing that unites us: Nudity!
That brings me back to the Naturist scale; which is Regular and which is Weird? Number one or number ten?
Full reports from a summer of great events - we've got Nudefest, Bare all for Polar Bears and Party in the Stark, among several others. The Great British Skinny Dip - we've got an exciting round up of this major initiative. In another BN first, we presented at the British Psychological Society's annual symposium. Find out what this academic and professional audience thought! Regular columnist Roni describes the Naturist Scale - where are you on it? Three women tell us about their journey into Naturism. We find out why Naturism is great for helping with stress. Two couples tell us of their artistic escapades as part of Spencer Tunick's 'Sea of Hull' project. A campaigning up date - and why Naturists should be proud and reach out. Travel - we explore France - from big resorts to small independent sites. There's also news updates, club reports and much, much more!
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of the annual subscription. Members can also download a full PDF of the magazine BN210 Winter 2016. If you are not a member, you can join us at http://www.bn.org.uk/membership and get your own copy and other benefits as well.
We've set up a new one at https://twitter.com/britnaturism, please follow us and get the word out to others!
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The locals from the start were also fully on board with us, with nakedness not an issue at all. At times we even had people just turning up to entertain us, like the man who brought along his steam roller as he thought we might want to see it. The local MP David Warburton also popped in and kindly donated tea for two at the House of Commons for the raffle.
One highlight was a superb visit to the Cider Brandy Company where the owner Julian met us with only an apron on, and who then promptly cajoled his staff (both males and females) to do likewise, which they did. He then took up the offer to come and visit us, which was nice.
A common comment was also how much the layout and facilities gave it a more friendly atmosphere with the marquees and large communal seating adding to this. One overseas visitor could not believe how friendly everyone was, they were fed and watered by people, went away with invites to visit members and the BN team even lent them a tent.
So, how do the team build on the success of Nudefest 2016? Well we have read the feedback forms and will be taking everyone’s comments and suggestions into account. Some things we are aware of, such as the need for more signage and chairs and it’s nice to have people asking to revisit venues or have singers back. One act already booked is Baron Von Schmidt Haus who kept everyone entertained thigh slapping and singing. We also intend having a 5k and 10k run around the site on the Saturday, outside visits, singalongs, possibly a full orchestra one day, traditional disco and open mic night on the Saturday, plus all the normal Nudefest activities. This year we had over 73 sessions listed on the programme and will build on this.
So the date to remember for Nudefest 2017 is Monday 3rd July when the site will open up to us and nudity will be allowed across the whole venue from 1700hrs, but without formal entertainment or bar until 1500hrs on Tuesday 4th July when the festival will get fully underway. The festival will then end, with clothes on at 1200hrs on Monday 10th July. Click here for all the details, including how to book
In summary, Nudefest 2017 will be great with new things to do and see with a chance to unwind with friends in a totally relaxed Naturist environment. All you have to do is book, we will take care of the rest...
Thanks to our sponsors:
Astbury Formentera
www.formentera.co.uk
01642 210163
Broadlands
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01508 492907
Candy Farm
www.candyfarmcampsite.co.uk
01302 770861
France 4 Naturism
www.en.france4naturisme.com
Chalfont Holidays
www.chalfontholidays.co.uk
01753 740176
Croft Country Club
www.croftcountryclub.co.uk
01354 638445
Magolias Natura
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+34 928 769845
Naturist Foundation
www.naturistfoundation.org
01689 871200
Thought provoking articles on what's it like being a child in Naturism; why are we not using the media properly to get rid of the 1960s attitudes; young Nina on working and living in the nude at Finca Natura and the recently launched 'Children Deserve Better' report. There’s reviews of recent events, including Nudestock, summer garden visits and our foray to Dunoon for 'The Gathering' and several others besides. We also review London's new famous naked restaurant, 'Bunyadi'. We present a ‘long haul’ travel special - we're off to Australia, Canada, South Africa and Florida, and a report from the BN Members’ group holiday to El Portús plus the announcement of even more trips for 2017. We launch our new website and bring you news updates, club reports and much, much more!
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of the annual subscription. Members can also download a full PDF of the magazine http://www.bn.org.uk/community/files/file/759-bn209-autumn-2016/. If you are not a member, you can join us at http://www.bn.org.uk/membership and get your own copy and other benefits as well.
It’s therefore great that we have now been granted a 90 minute slot at the British Psychological Society Social Section Annual Conference in Cardiff in September presenting a symposium entitled ‘Nothing’s better? Exploring the social psychological effects of Naturism!’ There are four papers to be presented in total - Naturism and Naturists: The facts, Take it off and let it go: Three quantitative investigations of the effects of Naturism, The naked truth: A large-scale qualitative investigation of experiences of naturism, and a case study of experiences of Naturism. The conference lasts for three days, and is packed with interesting presentations and symposia. Hundreds of people usually attend. Most of them are academics (psychologists) looking for the most interesting cutting-edge psychological research. Some work for the government or for policy-related think-tanks involved in policy and public health. It’s great to be part of it – and have our oft-maligned world taken seriously in the scientific community. Look out for a report in the Winter issue of BN Magazine.
We've recently enjoyed our Family Week at Blackthorns and it was a very special week for our members' children and grandchildren with lots of activities for them and the one thing that always strikes me is the way the group bond so well and work as a team. Where else would young teens help tiny tots play a game or run a race and make allowances for being slower? They bring life to the club and generate fun and laughter for all of us. It's so refreshing to see such camaraderie.I spoke to a young lady of 13 who I first met at Blackthorns with her father when she was 5. I remember her as a confident and friendly little girl who came across as normal as any child her age with clothes on! She explained that in her younger childhood eyes she just knew that naked people were always happy, friendly and in a relaxed setting so she was happy to be there with them. She realises now that she had got to know far more adults than she would have normally. We always describe naturism as providing a common bond and it appears to be true, we become friends with a wide spectrum of people. She told me that because she saw a huge selection of naked bodies she accepted the differences in people without even thinking about it. This has helped her with her own body image and she is not striving to keep up with the “perfect” and often air-brushed images that are portrayed in glossy magazines. Looking back she tells me she took it as normal and was never fazed at seeing her father or anyone else naked and embarrassment, she decided, is all down to how you are brought up. She reminded me that we all have a body underneath our clothes, so why worry about seeing it?!
I asked her what she thinks a “perfect” body looks like and she very wisely told me it doesn’t exist! How many girls her age outside of naturism would answer: Taylor Swift, Rhianna, Beyoncé or someone on TOWIE?! (Please don't ask me who they are!)
Like most children of naturist families, she admits she was only there because it was her father’s choice and not her own but she seems to have thoroughly enjoyed growing up with the pastime. Whilst she has a Naturist friend who is so confident that she would be naked all the time, if she were allowed, she herself is a little more self-conscious whilst going through puberty and not quite so keen to talk about it, though she knows the friends she has told just accept it as part of who she is. When in the school changing rooms she has noticed that she is far more relaxed with her own nudity than most girls her age who are afraid to be seen in any form of undress even with each other and they give themselves a difficult time trying to avoid this. I think we are all aware of those that do the towel dance on the beach; desperately trying to change behind a towel which takes longer and attracts more attention than if they just got on with it!
A 15yr old teenager I spoke to seems to have a similar outlook and when asked what she will remember most about growing up in a naturist environment, she will recall happy times at her club with family and friends by the pool and holidays in sunny Spanish naturist resorts. She says seeing so many naked people has helped her feel at ease with her own skin and accepts there is no "perfect" body: once again a good sensible start to becoming an adult that will keep her grounded. It's refreshing to hear her defending naturism and declaring, “It’s NOT rude or disgusting but sensible, comfortable and natural and the only thing you need to do to your body, rather than surgical procedures, is to keep it healthy”.
This young lady says most of her non-naturist family members may joke a little about naturism but are never nasty. She prefers not to tell all her friends in case they don't understand but the ones who know, treat her no differently. Having grown up in a naturist family she feels sure she will continue with it and even looks ahead to include her future children in this lifestyle. Asked about people thinking it's not safe to have naked children amongst naked adults she confirms our usual statement, that naturism is a non-sexual nudity and she has never had an uncomfortable experience within the naturist community. As she put it: "There is nothing indecent about not wearing clothes; it is behaviour that can be indecent, not whether you wear clothes or not".
Just as adults see the naturism lifestyle as an escape from the trials and tribulations of the outside world, she has found it can be a restful break from schoolwork, especially at exam times.
Of course teenagers tend to drift away because life gets in the way; they have friends and things to do outside of a regular attendance at a club. University might cause them to leave home but they will attend when they can and more often than not they will return as they get older and settled into their own family life. It's always good to welcome them back; attending from choice rather than just being with their parents.
Juliette was brought to our club by her parents as a child and her memories include playing in the sunshine and having lots of sun lotion applied at regular intervals! She doesn't feel her naturist memories are any different to clothed ones as they were all normal to her but she does recall swimming naked was far more comfortable than emerging with a clinging, cold, wet suit! She feels it gave her a closer relationship with her parents than friends had with theirs and puts it down to the complete openness that naturism offers. Her only problems with body image in puberty came from unkind class mates at school but never from her naturist friends. Circumstances drew her away from the club for some time but having become a mother to two little boys, she thought back to her happy times and wants the same for them. She is hoping they gain the same body confidence she did and that it unites them as a family as it did with her own parents. As for putting her children at risk she points out that children are at far greater risk within the general public as club members are known to each other and there are strict rules to follow re photography and generally we look out for one another. Her children have far greater freedom within the relatively safe grounds of a naturist club than in a public park and they have hours of fun in the water that would add up to a huge debt when paying at a public pool! Juliette doesn't mind the children mentioning naturism outside the club and on the one occasion it was mentioned and questioned, the people were impressed with her explanation and might even try it for themselves! Her aim is that the children don't see the nudity as worth reporting on, just the fun they have whilst engaging in naturism.
In my previous article I spoke to two sisters who were attending with their parents and though one has moved out of the area to go to university, she does still attend on occasions but her sister chose to stay when she turned 18 and her two children have known the club as their second home since birth. They get to spend extra time with their grandparents too and close friends within the club become their extended family. A naturist community supplies it all: a family environment for all to enjoy whether you have your own family with you or not. I think naturism might be one of few pastimes that unite the generations with a common bond that all can enjoy in different ways.
Judging from the comments of our teenagers we have nothing to fear for the future of naturism: it's in their very capable, sensible hands as something to do without making a fuss about it. They'll talk about it if people want to hear and encourage them to give it a try but see it as no big deal if they want to or not!
It really is going to become just another pastime that will interest or bore people just like when they talk about football or golf!
A bit like Marmite: they say you either love it or hate it……..but to find out, you have to try it!
Updates on our ground-breaking Great British Skinny Dip weekend Event reports from Blackpool, Bournemouth and the National Swimming Gala Great feature articles Details of forthcoming events from the packed 2016 calendar. Reports on the recent BN members' holidays to Gran Hotel Natura and Rotterdam A focus on southern Europe and UK holidays - including a new resort in southern Italy An update on our campaigning work, including BN's important new report on the welfare of children in the UK
Plus news updates, club reports and much, much more!
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of the annual subscription. Members can also download a full PDF of the magazine http://www.bn.org.uk/community/files/file/730-bn208-summer-2016/. If you are not a member, you can join us at http://www.bn.org.uk/membership and get your own copy and other benefits as well.
Decades of failure to follow best practice has resulted in the UK consistently being one of the worst performing countries, and not just amongst western countries. For example, The Lancet recently published data showing that the UK is the worst in the world for breast feeding at 12 months - 200 times worse than Senegal! UNICEF concluded that 30 million pounds per annum could be saved by the NHS if breast feeding rates could be improved.
The British Naturism report “Children Deserve Better 2016” contains evidence from sound academic sources rather than prejudice or sound bites. It is essential reading for anyone concerned with the welfare of children. It includes discussion of body image, sex education, teenage pregnancy, breasts and breast feeding, slut walking, freedom of expression, internet filtering, blocking and censorship, sexting and more.
Malcolm Boura, British Naturism’s Campaigns Director said:
Find the report at:
-ENDS-
Contacts:
Malcolm Boura, Campaigns Director
British Naturism
T: 01638 510504
M: 07734 964435
E: campaigns@bn.org.uk
Contacts:
Andrew Welch, Media and PR
British Naturism
T: 01753 481527
M: 07774 955138
E: commercial.manager@bn.org.uk
Notes for Editors
British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised Naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite Naturists around the UK and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors were in existence since the 1930s. Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for Naturism and to protect Naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body. Fact - in law, there is no offence of nudity. Various pieces of legislation and common law are often mentioned in connection with Naturism but they are rarely relevant. See Crown Prosecution Service guidance on Naturism for details. There is inadequate protection against prejudice, misunderstanding of the law, and abuses of the law, and that can result in Naturists finding themselves in difficulties In the UK, there are over 130 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many beaches used regularly by Naturists. Membership of BN is around 10,000 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN: https://www.bn.org.uk/activities/placestogo/. Naturism is good for you! Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of Naturism is the dress code. It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk in a Naturist environment. Unaccompanied children are not permitted in Naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in Naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child safeguarding issues, however, BN have a robust child safeguarding policy, code of practice, and a Child Safeguarding sub-committee that meets regularly and runs workshops on the subject, sometimes to groups from outside the Naturist world. For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” at https://www.bn.org.uk/media, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about Naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes.
We believe that children should be brought up and kept safe in an environment of openness and body honesty. They should know about how their bodies work, what happens to them at puberty and what a normal consensual sexual relationship is, before they experience it as adults. This should be done ideally by bringing up children in a Naturist environment where body honesty is key, but otherwise through good, explicit, factually correct and non-judgemental sex and relationships education through the prime educators: parents, teachers and organisations like the BBC.
Bringing children up in such an environment, with wholesome, honest and open body attitudes leads to better sexual health outcomes for young people, fewer body image disorders, and more sensible attitudes to life. Prudery, not openness or nudity, harms children. We want children to be innocent, but not ignorant. We believe that body openness and honesty protects children from the possible harmful effects of inappropriate material. They should find out about sex and how their bodies work from good education and openness instead of glamour and pornography. Children are naturally curious and if their curiosity is not answered openly then they will seek answers anywhere they can. Blocking will not prevent them as they can usually circumvent it with a facility that adults may not believe possible. There is objective evidence that those beliefs are well founded, unlike some other beliefs.
British Naturism’s Children Deserve Better, 2016 report sets out our views using evidence from sound academic sources rather than prejudice or sound bites – as such it makes essential reading for anyone concerned with the welfare of children and/or internet censorship. It addresses the issues and analyses the reasons why it has proved so difficult for the UK to adopt the policies that are known to work. The report is both critical of the failures of the past to follow best practice and optimistic for the future. It explains how, with very little expenditure or effort, the well-being of children could be greatly improved. It is just necessary to follow the evidence instead of myth. We are confident that significant advances could be made quite quickly but there is considerable social inertia to overcome - it would be a generational project. We must address the body-attitudes which result in the UK being amongst the poorest performers in the western world. It can be done and the time to start is now.
It is long overdue that “Think of the children” really did mean “think” instead of it being a slogan to stifle debate and hinder progress. It is long overdue that policy was firmly evidence based; rigorous, objective evidence instead of myth and misconceptions. It is long overdue that “Putting children first” really did mean that the welfare of children took precedence over adult myths, dislikes, and embarrassment.
Naturist Foundation in Orpington Kent would like to invite women new to naturism, a little shy or hesitant or those just wanting to join in with likeminded folk to Brocken Hurst on Saturday 4th June. You'll be able to enjoy the beautiful grounds and facilities, including the covered pool, and have a little fun. You're welcome to arrive earlier but please make sure you're in the pavilion by 2pm.
2pm - Meet and greet in the pavilion 2.30pm - Beetle drive 3.30pm - Nature walk in the grounds and woods. The route will depend on weather and mobility 4pm - Back to the pavilion for refreshments 5pm - Close
To book your visit please see our website at http://www.naturistfoundation.org, ring the office on +44 (0)1689 8712000 or email natfound@hotmail.com
Diogenes - located just off the M25 J17 Maple Cross & Rickmansworth. Following the great success of the Christmas skinny dip we held in December 2015, we have decided to hold another event in our indoor pool on Saturday June 4th from 6 to 9 p.m. as part of British Naturism’s ‘Women in Naturism’ weekend. Clubs and swims across the UK will be holding events to encourage women to try this amazing way of life, with all its wellbeing and confidence boosting benefits, so we thought we’d play our part! Tickets are just £6 including light refreshments and you can book online at http://bit.ly/1OsNazR
Noah’s Ark, are offering a FREE SWIM to all ladies, whether an existing member, previous visitor, or first timer on the 4th June 2016. We will also offer a FREE SWIM to any gentleman who accompanies or introduces a lady who has not previously visited us. ( Only one gent per lady though! )
The Yorkshire and East Midlands Region
Burrow Gardens As part of the International Women in Naturism weekend invite you to enjoy a visit to the Burrows Gardens Burrows Farm House, Burrows Lane, Brailsford, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 3BU on Saturday June 4th 2016 from 12 to 4-30. Ticket only admission priced at £7-50 are available from the BN shop The Burrows Gardens, a delightful corner of Derbyshire, with a collection of loved and cared for gardens, ideal for a gentle stroll, a summer picnic or a journey of discovery into the intricacies of Mother Nature. The Burrows Gardens has something for everybody, whether you are a knowledgeable plants person, a gardener, or just someone who loves the beauty, peace and tranquility of lovely gardens set in 5 acres of beautiful countryside. Tea and homemade cakes are always available.
Northwest Region
Blackpool & Fylde Sun Club will be offering free entry to all ladies attending our swim on Saturday 4th June 2016. We will also have strawberries and cream for the ladies too. Contact 07763 472677
Southwest Region
Avonvale Sun Club Nr Ringwood are hosting a Ladies afternoon on Saturday 4th June. Contact - Ken 07768 019420 or Pete 02380 737232 to book and get directions.
Studland Beach. The Southwest Region are also hosting a Ladies day on Studland beach, Sunday the 5th June, Rachel from the Hidden Needs Trust who will also be on the beach, tea and coffee will be available.
Severnvale Swim at Tewkesbury are offering a free swim to all first time female visitors during June in support of the 'Women in Naturism' campaign.
Contact 01242 672624
SANER
Scottish Outdoor Club - Indoor Event. Welcoming Women to Glasgow Continental - Clothed Event Sunday 5 June 17.15 - 18.00 (Followed by Swim 1800 - 2100) Arlington Baths Club Lounge, 61 Arlington Street, Glasgow, G3 6DT. Get together, over a cup of tea, with likeminded women, before attending together our (mixed) friendly naturist Swim, Turkish and Sauna. The Swim is attended by families, single people, couples and groups of friends. Hot drinks and newspapers available in the social area. For the more adventurous the traveling rings and trapeze over the pool! Women can take advantage of the comfortable women's changing lounge and will be accompanied in to the Swim by female 'Swim Buddies'. Unsure to begin with? Feel free to wear your sheet (provided) in all areas except the pool until you feel more comfortable.
Welcoming Women event is FREE; charges for Swim are £10, discounts for FT students, U26's, Family tickets available, U5's > free. Please bring photo ID & proof of address (or INF card)
After 19 months of discomfort, upset, disbelief and seven rounds of surgery Janey finally emerged a different person. Or did she? Talking with Janey about her Colostomy* which means she now wears a Stoma Bag* was very enlightening for me and yes, I do think she is a different person but only in that she is stronger, even more determined to live her life to the full and happy to help anyone else facing similar surgery to that she endured; to prove there IS life beyond a stoma bag! During those months, one big worry on top of all the rest, was whether she could continue to be a Naturist but her partner, Shaun, and her club friends were fully supportive and wouldn’t allow her to even think of leaving Blackthorns. Unfortunately on her first tentative trip out alone after having the stoma bag connected, she found herself being observed in a shop by a young couple and the girl pointed and spoke out loud: “Look, she has a s**t bag under her top!” and they both laughed at her. Janey made a fast exit, close to tears. It’s a shame people can be so rude and uncaring and her first thought was to blame herself for not concealing it better and she vowed to wear baggy clothes to hide it. Most people in her situation would no doubt do the same or not go out at all. But not Janey because, as she reached the safety of her car she realised this would never have happened within a Naturist environment because, as she told herself, “We talk to the person, not their body and we accept them as they are.” The upsetting remark gave her the impetus to stand proud and when she reached the stage in her treatment that she was to receive psychological counselling about her body changes, she ended up giving them a talk about the benefits of Naturism and body acceptance! With her Naturist mind set and support of her club friends, she is a perfect example for all those facing such surgery to look to when they think it’s the end of their life as they know it. That is not to say the journey to that moment was easy. Her 19 months of hospital visits and procedures were an ordeal and she won’t deny that and when the stoma was first suggested, after her fourth operation, it was a mixture of relief and worry; it would mean an end to the many operations, the constant procedures and pain but of course once done it would mean a change in her daily routine, forever. She had to think over the pitfalls of not being able to wear snug fitting clothes and had to ask herself; would her work uniform fit her, would the trouser waistline be above the bag or below it, would it be comfortable, could she go on holiday, could she go out, would it work? What could have been a help might have made her worry more because, as a nurse, she had dealt with stoma patients 25yrs previously and recalled the embarrassment it entailed and the smell but she realised technology had improved over the years and today the bags are easier to deal with and there is no leakage or smell. It wasn’t an easy decision to make and there were times she didn’t want to look at it herself and she told Shaun she wouldn’t blame him if he left her. They’d only been together a year and she felt it was perhaps too much for him to take on. Shaun became her rock and his support was a massive reason she remains so resilient today. That, and being a Naturist. Of course it does affect her daily life and she has to think of her diet and it does impose on her when out and about but she finds if she uses a disabled access toilet she has the facilities to deal with changing her bag. Mind you, back amongst the general public she still meets those who can hurt her by casting disapproving looks and words when she ignores the queue and uses the one with a picture of a wheelchair on the door. Just because it isn’t obvious, doesn’t mean a person is doing wrong. Blackthorns had installed a baby changing unit in its disabled access toilet and it is the perfect surroundings for a stoma bag to be dealt with and no one “tut tuts” at her! Though she knew in her head that naturists are more accepting than the general public, she admits she was still concerned the first time she undressed at the club and people could see the bag clearly. She still had to find out if people were accepting or disgusted, especially when she used the pool. She knew her close circle of friends had travelled the 19 months with her but of course there were other members who didn’t know the details. She admitted it took a while to actually mingle on the patio with everyone with her bag exposed. Some children asked her what it was and she told them in simple terms and they dismissed it as nothing important. Nobody took exception to her and she soon relaxed and was relieved she could still go Naturist, just like her friends had assured her! She tells us that the Stoma Group she attended concentrated on how to hide it and how to live with it but she is now able to tell them how to be open about it, educate others and help future patients deal with the procedure. One good friend knitted her a Father Christmas bag cover and followed it up with a Christmas Pudding, much to the amusement of everyone and we look forward to seeing Janey’s stoma bag wardrobe grow! The body acceptance she experienced at Blackthorns prompted her to attend the Alton Towers weekend with confidence and once she explained it to those who were curious, she forgot about it the rest of the time and just enjoyed herself. Asked about her first venture out and the couple in the shop, she says she could now stand her ground and speak up and is totally comfortable with attending a public pool with bikini and bag. Janey summed it up really well: “My ability is stronger than my disability!” and said, “I will not let my bag control my life.” Some brave, wise words from a brave, wise lady. May she be an example to us all.
Billy’s Bag
Janey met other stoma bag wearers at Alton Towers: one was Billy and he’s told me his story of bag and body acceptance as he achieved the two together. Unlike Janey, he wasn’t a Naturist when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer and needed some of his lower bowel removed. When it was found to have fused to his bladder he had to have that and his prostate removed too. He had a *Urostomy which means he has a stoma bag to collect his urine. Having always been an active person he attended his gym as soon as he was able and after his routine of cross trainer, tread mill and bike he used the showers but felt very aware of his bag and when he saw a man staring at that and his scar, with a look of horror on his face, he decided it would be easier to simply not go again. He hated looking at himself in the mirror at home and thought he was destined to hide his body away rather than receive any further upsetting reactions. He gradually got used to the routine care and got back into his hobbies of rock climbing, mountain biking and dancing. Whilst it didn’t stop him doing all his previous hobbies he did feel he had to keep his condition to himself and when he looked ahead he felt there was no chance he’d be able to have a partner again as he feared her reaction would be of repulsion when she saw his body and the bag. He became determined to overcome this and decided he needed someone to practise being naked with, to prepare himself for the moment a new partner would see him in all his glory!
What might have seemed impossible only made Billy more determined and it came to him that he needed to mix with a group of people who were open minded, friendly and accepting of everyone and he had the foresight to realise a Naturist group just might be the thing for him to achieve this with. He didn’t know if it would work but there was only one way to find out! He used the internet to find Forth Naturist Swim Club at Haddington just 36 miles away. The first time he went he only got as far as the car park. He sat watching people turn up but didn’t have the courage to get out of the car and go inside. Not one to accept failure, he tried again and on his next visit he surprised himself by actually leaving the safety of his vehicle and heading indoors to meet a group of naturists for the first time What a test of strength and determination that night was! He shared his worry with the club Chairman and was made welcome and put at ease but even so, he could scarcely believe that he was about to undress and join others in the pool with not a swimsuit to be seen! He was happily relieved to find he loved the feeling and that no one was staring at his scar or bag and, for the first time, naked with others, he felt normal instead of the freak he had feared they would see. It was so good that he spent an hour in the pool, 20mins in the sauna and 20mins in the steam room – he thoroughly enjoyed the evening and was pleased when they invited him to return. That night did what he had hoped it might do; restore his body confidence. Like Janey, he talks of Naturism to his stoma group and explains how we are body accepting and they are always interested to hear what a help we are. Billy says the stoma bag has not prevented him from continuing with his active lifestyle and his night of Naturist swimming opened up another world to him. He has been a member of BN for over 3 years now and attends as many events as he can. He became a member of the Forth Naturist Swim Club and has made many new friends. The body confidence learnt at that Naturist event taught him to feel confident about himself and he can now attend any public gym or pool and not fear being stared at or made to feel an outcast. He also feels confident that when he starts a relationship he can speak openly about his bag and Naturism as they are both part of his life and who he is.
Janey & Billy each needed Naturism to get over the stigma of having a stoma bag but whereas Janey knew it was the right place to be for acceptance and understanding, Billy guessed it would be but had to find the courage to not only bare all in the presence of strangers but also to explain about his bag.
They have both benefited from being Naturist and are able to live their life to the full, doing whatever activities they choose, with head held high. The same will apply to virtually any circumstance you might find yourself facing, be it operation scars, amputation, disfigurement, skin conditions, obesity, anorexia; anything that general opinion would suspect to be a problem to live with. We should be proud to belong to such a caring, supportive community bound together by the love of nudity as nature intended. Long may the sun shine on us!
Roni Fine
*Colostomy is the large colon/intestine diverted through an opening (Stoma) in the abdomen.Ileostomy is the diversion of the small intestine/ bowel.
*Urostomy is the diversion of urine from the kidneys.
Look through the BN magazines and take note of the different ages, shapes and sizes of the people. Not every lady is a catwalk beauty and not every man is an Adonis but hey, remember this, we are all special to someone and we are real people! We are not airbrushed in the magazine nor in real life, yet we have the confidence to bare all in front of others, so how do we do it? My best answer is to tell you not to believe me but to go along to a Naturist swim or club. Once you look around at everyone you will be pleasantly surprised how well you’ll fit in and not be the odd one out! There is no criteria to qualify you for Naturism except the desire to do so. I even get prospective members worrying about turning up at the club for the first time and having lily-white skin compared to the seasoned Naturist and I’m quick to point out that, whilst most Naturists are sun lovers, it’s not just about getting an all over tan. You are quite welcome to sit in the shade; it’s the feeling of nakedness that is important, not the sun bathing. So if you are red haired and burn easily you no longer have an excuse! Even when we decide to give Naturism a try it can still be difficult to make that final commitment and be naked with other people. But why is that; do we still have it in our heads that it’s rude? Well, you arrived naked and were immediately loved by your parents and described as the most beautiful baby ever born so where does it go wrong? When do we develop the fear of going naked because it is a fear for some. Pre Victorian times saw land workers harvesting their crops naked and washing together in a stream, keeping their clothes clean and their Sunday best for just that, the Sunday church service. We tend to blame Victoria but I don’t think it was all her doing, but things did change and it has been passed down through the years. Even my step-daughter whilst letting her baby enjoy a few moments of kicking and wriggling on the changing mat without the restriction of a nappy, ended it by saying, quite sweetly, that it was rude to be nude and time to be dressed. She knows her Dad and I are Naturists and thinks nothing of it for us, so why did she still insist to her baby that it was wrong? It’s so inbuilt that I don’t think people are even aware they’re doing it! Fortunately young children don’t think this way at all and, if left to their own devices, think nothing of undressing when hot or uncomfortable and when they come to the club, even on their first visit, they can’t wait to be free of clothing. They all love to use the pool and think nothing of doing so naked. They don’t question why everyone Never judge a book by its cover! Roni Fine explains why Naturism boosts your confidence and acceptance of others
is undressed, they just get on with it. Yet, if that child never experienced the Naturist lifestyle they would grow up thinking that nudity is utterly private and rude. The media is often blamed for turning children into bulimic and anorexic sufferers and I agree; it gives unrealistic goals to achieve, especially as the photos they pore over are so often airbrushed to create a certain body shape. There is a big difference between wearing excessive makeup for enhancement to having their thighs slimmed, their legs lengthened and their waists reduced to unobtainable perceived perfection. It’s a shame that young people seem to have a built in craving to be like someone else rather than be content with who they are. We try to nurture our Naturist children to have an open outlook on life and what it deals us, appreciate what they are and feel good about themselves and I believe it works. I spoke to our younger members who had been involved in Naturism for some years before hitting puberty and though it caused some to cover up a little more for a while, the teenagers told me it had helped them understand and accept body changes and issues and they felt at ease and able to discuss things with each other and between both sexes and overall they were glad to have Naturism help them through what can be a turbulent time. It is far easier than being given a book with diagrams and expected not to talk about it outside the school Biology lesson! Naturists see naked people and accept each one as a whole person. We don’t concentrate on “irregularities”, probably because we all have them in some form and what’s the point of letting them rule our lives? So I have cellulite, big deal! It only affects me if I let it and I see no reason whatsoever why it should affect you!
I remember a man who had lost his leg in a motor bike crash joining our club, and he’d received many rude comments, at a public swimming pool and on beaches, before he realised Naturists wouldn’t be so cruel. He removed his leg to use our pool on that first visit, knowing he’d not be judged. The only comment came from a little girl who said, “look Daddy, that man has left his leg beside the pool.” With no effort involved she was learning about people’s bodies being different and accepting those differences. She wasn’t shocked to see a man with one leg but intrigued to see him leaving it on the poolside and she didn’t comment on his nakedness as she already accepted that as normal! Of course we were interested with how he’d lost it but it was in a concerned way, not an abusive one. A great example of body acceptance is an incident which I love to quote; within a Naturist club, a man met a lady he’d not seen for some time and had quite a chat with her and it was only later when her recent mastectomy was mentioned by someone else that he declared he hadn’t even noticed she had just one breast! You see, he was speaking to her, not her body. We have ladies who seem to be “perfect”; tall, slim and attractive, so what do they know about body issues? A lot actually, as no one ever seems to be totally content with themselves but whilst we strive to be “perfect” in our heads as well as in other people’s eyes, we get on with living and not let it rule our thoughts or actions. And men are included in this body image worry as they too can be hesitant about baring all and being judged on size and six packs! Once again, when they look round and see the comparisons they realise they are just another body and no better nor worse than the next man. People worry about being seen changing from clothes to swimwear on the beach or in shop changing rooms and it’s so unnecessary. Oh how much easier it is for me since gaining my Naturist confidence, to try on clothes and attend for an X ray and mammogram without stressing out that someone will see part of my body. Nudity is widely used in advertising because it is still unexpected but it should help people get used to the fact that we are all naked underneath, so why are so many so scared to see someone else? Think about it. Isn’t it quite ludicrous to be afraid of ourselves? You might believe Adam and Eve covered their bodies with fig leaves for modesty but why was there a need? It really hasn’t helped generations ever since! Covering our bodies for warmth and protection makes complete sense and even Naturists accept this and adapt and of course we do appreciate that not all members of the Great British Public are ready to see us naked, so we cover up when necessary, but it’s for THEIR modesty, not ours! So if you are still pondering about becoming a Naturist, remember you are one already; it’s just that you are currently a Naturist with clothes on, so take the next step and remove that top layer whenever it’s warm enough and appropriate to do so! Then when you are ready to bare all and share the experience with like minded people, do so with pride. Enjoy the confidence it gives you and become one of the crowd that cares more about the proverbial book inside, than the cover!
The Gala itself took place next day at a local pool that was placed mid way between walking distance and a bus ride away and after twenty minutes trying to decide whether to take a bus, and if so where the right bus stop was, most eventually decided to walk, at a pace that by that time was dictated as being brisk. Still, what better way of dissipating the beer/sausage effect of the previous evening? The Gala itself? Well yes, a bit of exercise followed by rigorous self appraisal in which the word “knackered” figured rather predominantly, another race and then lunch! And despite the time of year it was warm outside so a number of the British contingent took themselves out to soak up the rays, until the organisers were obliged to request them to desist as comments had been received from the neighbouring bus terminus. Alsatian bus drivers are not tuned in to the Naturist psyche, it would appear. So back to the pool for the last few races and after the last (yes, probably German) name had been called to the podium it was back to the hotel and off to the Gala dinner, which was, as always, excellent. And once again team GB trounced the opposition in wine foraging from adjacent tables. I say foraging because it sounds so much better than stealing, but to be fair if you go to the trouble of identifying all the tables occupied by teenage competitors who can’t drink it anyway then it is really only re-cycling. Next day we did the Train Museum having seen the magnificent Schlumpf Collection of Bugattis the previous year and it was, for me at any rate, brilliant. And the female contingent enjoyed it as well so hats off to the French for making trains interesting to everybody! So, I hear you ask, do I want to get involved with this international swimming malarkey? Well if you can swim two lengths without drowning you are in with a chance! First you have to go to the National Competition, which this year is in Leicester (see Big Days Out – Ed) after which you are eligible for inclusion in the international team. If selected you have to find the cost of the airfare and accommodation for the weekend but all organised meals and entertainment at the host venue are covered; plus of course you have the company of your fellow team members which is er… priceless – probably. And this year the venue is an elegant Italian spa hotel to which a visit to Venice can easily be tacked on to either end of the weekend….. so if that is not enough to tempt you, I seriously cannot imagine what would! And of course Team GB like any team needs new members all the time , so if you are a regular recreational swimmer and fancy giving it a try please come along. Your Country Needs YOU !!Can you imagine being selected to represent your country? Not many people can say they have been… could it be you?
Catch up on recent events in our full reports from Alton Towers and the international swimming gala. Find out more about our flagship 'Women in Naturism' campaign and how you can help. The Great British Skinny Dip is happening this 'Septembare'! There's an update about how this event is shaping up and how you can help to make it a success - and find out more about the documentary that's being made! Top tips for guys who have a reluctant girl - find out how more about how to break down the barriers to participating in Naturism that many women experience. Roni Writes! This time about the confidence boosting properties of Naturism. Our usual campaign update - along with an announcement! The 2016 Big Days Out programme - what can you do this year? Also, details on our fantastic programme of members' group holidays. The BN holiday advice service - how can you make use of it? Our regular holiday focus - Spain. We bring you reports from Torredembarra Beach, El Portus and Formentera, along with how one couple found a neat way of touring!
There's also news updates, club reports and much, much more!
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of the annual subscription. Members can also download a full PDF of the magazine http://www.bn.org.uk/community/files/file/726-bn207-spring-2016/ . If you are not a member, you can join ushttp://www.bn.org.uk/membership and get your own copy and other benefits as well.
Here’s a variety of links we’ve gathered that cover a lot of different ground but add up to a picture of what we’re all about.
They include inspiring articles by BN columnist Roni Fine, a stunning video of a woman skinny dipping, a TV clip from Nudefest, women’s own stories of how they found and what they get from Naturism, and articles from the mainstream media about how healthy and unexpectedly wonderful nudity – and especially social nudity – is.
What is Naturism?
https://www.bn.org.uk/aboutnaturism
Articles by Roni Fine
Didn’t your mum tell you cabbage is good for you?
https://www.bn.org.uk/news/information/about-naturism/roni-writes/didn%E2%80%99t-your-mum-tell-you-cabbage-is-good-for-y-r327
Is it really true that clothes maketh the man?
https://www.bn.org.uk/news/information/about-naturism/roni-writes/is-it-really-true-that-clothes-maketh-the-man-r166
Lots more from Roni at:
https://www.bn.org.uk/news/information/about-naturism/roni-writes/
Article by Pam Neate
Ladies, come on in – naturism will change your life!
https://www.bn.org.uk/news/information/about-naturism/ladies-come-on-in-%E2%80%93-naturism-will-change-your-r76
From The Sun newspaper
The Health benefits of going nude
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/6615651/The-health-benefits-of-going-nude.html
Article by student Sara Bensinger
6 Things I Learned While Being Naked In Public for 2 Weeks
http://www.xojane.com/fun/6-things-i-learned-while-being-naked-for-2-weeks
ITV’s ‘This Morning’ comes to Nudefest – video clip
https://www.bn.org.uk/news/news/itvs-this-morning-at-nudefest-r350?st=0#comment_933
British Mountaineering Council
Scroll down a little to see beautiful skinny dipping movie Blue Hue by Natasha Brooks
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/women-in-mountain-adventure-watch-the-films-on-bmc-tv.
Building on the bumper successes of 2015, the national organisation for Naturism, British Naturism, has set out its plans for 2016 to support the
increase in Naturist activity in the UK.
More and more people are discovering for themselves the benefits to health, wellbeing and confidence that Naturism brings. This year sees British Naturism continue to offer some great opportunities for people to enjoy what must surely be the most liberating and relaxing lifestyle there is.
In 2016, we see the continuation of two initiatives, which have enabled many to take their first steps into Naturism:
Women in Naturism - an initiative specifically aimed at women and families. The 2015 campaign saw our member clubs and other venues hold a range of successful events, with many reporting increases in female memberships. This year's weekend on 4th and 5th June, looks set to be even more successful. Full details at: https://www.bn.org.uk/news/news/women-in-naturism-r332 The Great British Skinny Dip - a national campaign to raise the profile of the health benefits of going without clothes with many opportunities across the country for people to give it a try. Further details at: https://www.bn.org.uk/news/news/the-great-british-skinny-dip-%E2%80%93-2nd-4th-septembe-r346 Of course our year isn't just built around these two campaigns! We organise a huge range of events, some for members only, others open to all! Our flagship event is 'Nudefest', a weekend of entertainment, excursions and fun, which has been so successful that we've had to find a new, larger venue in Somerset (see https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/2914-nudefest). We also have even more ambitious plans for a wide range of special visits to established and popular attractions, group holidays abroad, sporting events and days out, as well as supporting events that complement our way of life like the 'Streak for Tigers' event at London Zoo. Our full programme is at https://www.bn.org.uk/activities/bigdaysout but check out this listing (and this is only what's planned so far!):
Group Holidays Abroad
Spa weekend in Rotterdam - 19th - 21th February
El Portus, Spain - 7th - 14th May
South
Bournemouth - 5th - 7th February
North West
Blackpool - 4th - 7th March
Solos weekend, Liverpool - 12th - 14th August
Scotland
'The Gathering' Dunoon - 29th April - 1st May
Summer Camp, Dumfries - 19th - 20th August
Yorkshire
'Camp Katur' North Yorkshire - 13th - 15th May
'Nudestock' Yorkshire - 27th May - 3rd June
Helmsley Walled Gardens, Yorkshire - 9th July
South East
Jazz and Real Ale Festival at the Naturist Foundation, Kent - 23rd - 26th June
Party in the Stark, Naturist Foundation, Kent - 29th - 31st July
Midlands
Waterworld, Stoke on Trent - 23rd April
National swimming gala in Leicester - 19th March
East Anglia
National petanque competition in Norfolk - 29th April - 1st May
British Naturism Commercial Manager, Andrew Welch says "It is so good to see that more and more people are taking part in Naturist activities. Naturists are probably the friendliest community you will ever meet and, as well as the benefits of the Naturist lifestyle in terms of health and wellbeing, the ‘buff pound' also brings financial benefits to the places we visit. It is now very clear that there is a real appetite Naturism in the UK and our programme of events aims to provide some fabulous opportunities for all the family."
Press attendance at some events is possible. Please contact us with your request
-ENDS-
Contacts:
Andrew Welch
British Naturism
T: 01753 481527
M: 07774 955138
E: commercial.manager@bn.org.uk
Notes for Editors
British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised Naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite Naturists around the UK and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors were in existence since the 1930s.
Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for Naturism and to protect Naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body. www.bn.org.uk/campaigning/index.
Fact - in law, there is no offence of nudity. Various pieces of legislation and common law are often mentioned in connection with Naturism but they are rarely relevant. See Crown Prosecution Service guidance on Naturism for details. There is inadequate protection against prejudice, misunderstanding of the law, and abuses of the law, and that can result in Naturists finding themselves in difficulties
In the UK, there are over 130 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many beaches used regularly by Naturists. Membership of BN is around 10,000 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN.www.bn.org.uk/activities/placestogo.
Naturism is good for you! Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of Naturism is the dress code.
It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk in a Naturist environment. Unaccompanied children are not permitted in Naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in Naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child safeguarding issues, however, BN have a robust child safeguarding policy, code of practice, and a Child Safeguarding sub-committee that meets regularly and runs workshops on the subject, sometimes to groups from outside the Naturist world.
For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” at www.bn.org.uk/media, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about Naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or program
There is no evidence that prudery works and there is good evidence that it causes harm. There is good evidence that body-openness works and there is no evidence that it causes harm. (Aggression and violence are not body-openness). But despite that some of the participants in the debate are determined to promote the attitudes associated with the worst outcomes in the western world. The correlations are near perfect, the causal mechanisms well understood, and the differences in outcomes enormous, for many indicators a factor of ten or more. Even a cursory glance at the international comparisons shows that present policy encourages the attitudes associated with the worst outcomes and discourages, even to the extent of prohibition, the things associated with the best outcomes. It is no coincidence that the teenage pregnancy rate of Denmark and many other European countries is nearly ten times lower than that of the USA and all the related indicators follow a similar pattern. Why then is anyone even suggesting measures that will make the UK more like the USA?
The proponents of prudery seem oblivious to what they are doing and why they are doing it. They continue to peddle their personal ideology hiding behind evidence that is not evidence and logic that is not logic. It is necessary to be very blunt about this. Methodological errors are errors and errors of logic are errors. They are not a matter of opinion or balance, they are just simply and incontrovertibly wrong. The logic required is slightly more difficult than two plus two but just as 2 + 2 = 5 is wrong so the errors in evidence gathering and logic are wrong. No amount of wishful thinking, strength of feeling, or righteous indignation can change that.
If a school pupil were to submit work with such howlers after the mistake had been explained then the teacher would be having words. Fortunately most school pupils are quick to realise why scientific method and logical correctness work so that is rarely necessary. It works and that is what this should all be about. It should be about putting children first and doing what works instead of doing what appeals to the emotions of some adults. This is a plea to anyone who promotes failure because they do not understand how science and engineering achieve such spectacular success; either learn from what works or next time travelling by air please please choose an aircraft designed using the principles that they deploy, emotion and sloppy thinking.
The psychology of why some people persist with promoting such counter-productive policies is interesting but not particularly useful as it offers no solution to the problem. The studies show that changing deeply held opinion (aka prejudice), particularly when held by a group, is extremely difficult no matter how strong the evidence, but unfortunately they do not suggest any remedies.
It has taken half a century to make significant progress on undoing the damage done to homosexuals, damage encouraged and supported by Parliament, and there is still a long way to go. Undoing the damage done by the prudification of society is likely to also take a generation or more, even if we start now.
Some of the contributors to that debate in the House of Lords will feel aggrieved by the implication that they are acting illogically and in a way which will harm children but if the hat fits wear it. Have you noticed how phrases such as “I am not a prude but” are almost invariably followed by a statement demonstrating that the speaker is indeed a prude? This debate was ammunition for both those wanting to reform the House of Lords and those who want to remove the bishops from it.
British Naturism will shortly be publishing a report entitled “UK Child Policy 2016” which addresses these issues in more depth. We will also be asking the House of Lords what training they provide to members on evidence, logic, use of statistics, and evidence based policy making. It is desperately needed.
John Rodgers, BN’s London and South East regional coordinator, said:
It’s terrific to have yet another new swim start in our region, following Southampton last year. Naturism is definitely on the up and we’re delighted to give more people a chance to discover the joys of swimming without a costume.
The cost £5 for adults, £1 for children (under 18's must be accompanied) and full time students (with Student Union ID). Adults will need to show a photo ID such as a driving licence or passport.
The dates are 5th February, 4th March, and 1st April, and the sessions run from 19.00 – 21.00hrs.
BORDON GARRISON SWIMMING POOL, Budds Lane, Bordon, GU35 0JE. Further details from BN Regional Coordinator John Rodgers on 01403 258258.
Contacts:
John Rodgers
BN London and South East Regional Coordinator
lserep@bn.org.uk
01403 258258
Andrew Welch
National Media and PR
British Naturism
M: 07774 955138
E: commercial.manager@bn.org.uk
Notes for Editors
British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised Naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite Naturists around the UK and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors were in existence since the 1930s.
Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for Naturism and to protect Naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body. https://www.bn.org.uk/campaigning/index.
Fact - in law, there is no offence of nudity. Various pieces of legislation and common law are often mentioned in connection with Naturism but they are rarely relevant. See Crown Prosecution Service guidance on Naturism for details. There is inadequate protection against prejudice, misunderstanding of the law, and abuses of the law, and that can result in Naturists finding themselves in difficulties
In the UK, there are over 130 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many beaches used regularly by Naturists. Membership of BN is around 10,000 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. https://www.bn.org.uk/activities/placestogo.
Naturism is good for you! Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of Naturism is the dress code.
It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk in a Naturist environment. Unaccompanied children are not permitted in Naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in Naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child safeguarding issues, however, BN have a robust child safeguarding policy, code of practice, and a Child Safeguarding sub-committee that meets regularly and runs workshops on the subject, sometimes to groups from outside the Naturist world.
For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” at https://www.bn.org.uk/media, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about Naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes.
