Regional News and Information
BN has seven regions that provide a vital local focus to BN's members and activities. To find out about news and events in your region please visit one of our regional pages:
Regional News
News and information about BN's regions
If you plan to attend, please email Cath on easternsecretary@bn.org.uk or message CathBromley on the forum by 7th April so that we can give the club numbers for lunch.
Reports and other documents will be attached to the event on the BN calendar (link below)
Who should come? The meeting is open to any BN member within Eastern Region (ER1 or ER2 on your membership card) and every BN member club in the Region. Members of BN clubs who are not also individual members are welcome too but can only exercise the single club vote (if there is any voting required).
Why come? You might have ideas about how we should operate, or for new events: come and talk. You might like to find out more about BN: come and ask. You might want to help out in some way: come and talk. You might represent a club and want to ask other clubs how they get round some problem: come and ask them. You might want to see what a naturist club looks like: come and find out. You might just want a pleasant day out: you'll find that too. And: we want to see you too!
Further details on the event calendar
Their onsite Cafe is a warm and cosy place to relax and chat.
During the summer months they offer social evenings with live music and food.
But why am I telling you this?
It is because they hold daily Clothes Optional swims!
Please have a look at their website and book yourself a place.
Update 5th April 2024:
I visited Court Farm Lakes today to meet with one of the team who runs it and managed a lovely skinny dip. I can confirm the surroundings and views are lovely and the food in the Cafe is great. I would recommend this site for a great Clothes Optional swim.
Don't forget that they are also holding a Great British Skinny Dip in aid of the British Heart Foundation on Friday 10th May 2024 from 5pm to 9pm. More details can be found here!
Update 28th June 2024:
Court Farm Lakes is holding another Skinny Dip evening on Friday 5th July.
More details can be found here!
Before we begin detailed discussions with the venue, we would like an idea of the likely interest in the area.
If you are interested could you complete this simple poll here or email southwestrep@bn.org.uk.
Your support for the club will be appreciated, this is one of the few swims where no advance booking is required, just turn up, bring some ID and £7 cash for visitors and spend an enjoyable hour swimming or socialising before perhaps continuing those friendships in the nearby pub afterwards.
You’ll be able to choose from a two or three course menu ahead of the event, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available. From £26. There are full meat, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. You will be asked on booking for your menu choices so take a look at the attached file to help you choose. Set menu - BN Lunch - 25 November23.docx
We will have exclusive use of the function room at the pub. This is a fully self-contained area with its own bar and toilets which means that it will be possible to be naked throughout the event. Car parking is available behind the pub, but it is only two minutes’ walk from Dunbridge & Mottisfont Station, so why not leave the car at home and enjoy a few drinks!
We will have the skittles alley set up for you to enjoy a game or two....
See the events calendar for details and booking:
Details are in the LASER calendar but as this is not a BN-organised event there is no need to book tickets in advance, pay at the gate. To see the gardens online visit their website.
The tea room at Houghton Lodge will remain open throughout the evening.
Please feel free to contact @coltay by DM or email colin.taylor@bn.org.uk
Details are on the LASER calendar and tickets are on sale through the BN shop here.
Whether you’re a seasoned skinny dipper or a nudie-newbie, we invite you to experience the freedom of swimming without trunks and bikinis this bank holiday weekend.
The recently refurbished heated pool at Petersfield (Hampshire) has a café, is adjacent to a large public car park, and only a short walk from the train station.
We sold out last time with 80 tickets sold, many in the last week so don't delay, book your tickets today! We look forward to welcoming you there.
Prices:
BN Member (swim only) £9 BN Member (swim plus £2 BHF donation) £11 Non-BN Member (swim only) £12 No-BN Member (swim plus £2 BHF donation) £14
We are holding a Early Christmas lunch at the Mill Arms, Dunbridge on Saturday 25th November, 1pm-5pm. Menus and therefore cost are still being worked on and more news on this and booking details will follow. Please mark the day in your diaries to avoid booking up other activities and missing out on another fabulous gathering.
Now get on and enjoy the rest of the summer! 😎
Come along, we'd love to see you there (and we have planned for IT issues encountered last meeting!).
To register your interest contact, the Admin Officer, Nigel Newman: nigel.newman@bn.org.uk
Thursday 20th to 27th April 2023 – SW Rally at Lower Poulza Post campsite, Cornwall - calendar entry updated
Sunday 14th May 2023 - SW Regional Meeting at Cam Bridge Barn
Monday 15th May 2023 2pm to 5pm – Painswick Rococo Gardens visit - tickets now on sale!!!
Saturday 20th May 2023 – Naked Heart Walk at Powderham Castle, near Exeter - tickets now on sale!!!
Sunday 28th May 2023 – Beach Day at Studland Naturist Beach
Saturday 17th June 2023 – GBSD & Beach Day at Ringstead Bay
Saturday 24th June 2023 – GBSD & Beach Day at Ringstead Bay
Saturday 1st July 2023 – GBSD & Beach Day at Ringstead Bay
Monday 3rd July to Sunday 9th July 2023 – Nudefest at Thorney Lake in Somerset
Friday 7th July 2023 – GBSD & Beach Day at Ringstead Bay
Saturday 15th July 2023 - Naked Heart Walk at Fonthill, Wiltshire - postponed due to weather warnings for high winds!!!
Sunday 23rd July 2023 - NW Region Naked Heart Walk & Great British Skinny Dip at Bishampton - tickets now on sale!!!
Saturday 19th August 2023 – Beach Day at Ringstead Bay
Monday 18th September 2023 – Painswick Rococo Gardens visit - CANCELLED
Saturday 2nd September 2023 - Naked Heart Walk at Fonthill, Wiltshire - Revised Date after 15th July event was postponed. Tickets now on sale!!
Are you signed up for the Monthly Southwest Newsletter? It is the best way to keep up to date with events. You can sign-up here.
We are currently searching for more venues where we can perform more Naked Heart Walks, also venues that could possibly accommodate us for our fabulous campaign, ‘The Great British Skinny Dip’ – we achieved over 600 listings during 2025 nationwide, but with your help we can do much better during 2026 and beyond, raising more funds for our charity partner BHF and expand the list of Naturist friendly venues in the process.
I believe that some members of British Naturism have actually terminated their membership in the past because of the lack of venues in their vicinity, so we are busy attempting to change this - and with your help, this can be achieved. The GBSD venues don’t have to be Olympic size pools with gyms etc, we would probably enjoy more success if we looked at small to medium size venues that boasts a pool and maybe a sauna or steam room - affordability is an important element.
If you are aware of any local venues that could be ideal for a 90 minute or a 2 hour pool hire for a GBSD event or alternatively a venue such as large gardens or stately homes that could possibly be approached for Naked Heart Walks, please let me know - if you would like someone else to make an approach, then 'Team North West' would readily make contact. If you would like to join 'Team North West' in a volunteering role, please feel free to email me.
ron.ohare@bn.org.uk
North West News Online
We were impressed by the numbers who attended (44) and the distances they had travelled. There were delegates from England, Wales, Scotland and Germany. Between the more formal teaching sessions, there was lots of time for fellowship either at the BBQ, meal, games, in the swimming pool or at the bar.
Music was an integral part of the weekend with singing, drums, keyboard and guitar. Many people appreciated the subtle background worship as people entered and left the marquee that gave the venue a spiritual aura. The very existence of the CNF has been a revelation to some who have discovered CNF quite recently.
Photo shows the Leadership Team present (with permission of the people in it and the Naturist Foundation).
This was the first meeting since 2019 as previous face-to-face meetings had been cancelled due to COVID. The online option for this year proved to be very popular with over 50 people registering.
All AGMs are a bit formal as there is a vote to elect a new Committee. Viv Rimmer was elected as Chair and her position as Regional Representative to the Executive Committee was ratified. Nigel Newman was elected as Secretary and Colin Ratcliff was elected as Treasurer. An introduction was given to David Bellis as Beach Officer and steps are in hand to appoint a Newsletter editor.
Invites were emailed to all the clubs in the region to attend. Two written reports were received, which were read out by the Secretary; one from Mill Bank Sun Club and the other from the Christian Naturist Fellowship.
Following formal business, we stayed on online for a cordial chat and discussed options on how to move forward.
The next meeting has been arranged for Sat 3rd Sept at 3pm which, on this occasion, will also be Zoom – see the LASER Calendar to register. This will be an interesting meeting with a catch up on what’s been happening and an invite to a presentation on how to arrange your own Naturist Event so that we can enjoy even more sessions in the our region.
Nigel. LASER Secretary
https://shop.bn.org.uk/collections/local-naturist-events/products/july-16-letchworth-outdoor-pool
Take a friend or family with you, its a great way to introduce them to naturism.
Andy
Tickets are now on sale for the naked Garden Visit. Please arrive at the car park from 5:30pm. The reason is that the Gardens will close to the public, shortly before 5:30pm.
Here is more information and the link to book your tickets;
See you there.
Thankyou
Andy
Our Eastern Newsletter will be delayed until a one-off publish date of Wednesday 8th June.
The reason for this is staff Holiday from Head Office coinciding with the regular publishing date of the first Wednesday in every month.
Thank you.
Andy Gilmour.
You are invited to take your own food into the Lido area, where there are several picnic tables available.
These beautiful gardens are run by the charity; perennial.org, and are home to many rare species from around the world., so much so; Fullers Mill garden is classified as a botanic garden.
The hosts are friendly. There is a small shop to buy plants and shrubs. Coffee and Tea is also on sale with a delicious array of home made cakes.
There is a covered area with chairs and tables to relax in. There is a large free car park for upto 70 cars.
This has been popular with our naturist community in recent years, and for several naturists it was their first naturist event. Why not bring a family member, friend or colleague along, it is a great way to introduce someone to naturism.
You don't want to skip this naked Garden trip.
Please click below to book your tickets.
https://shop.bn.org.uk/collections/local-naturist-events/products/june-18-fullers-mill-garden-visit
See you there.
Andy
This is an independant event running from Thursday 2nd June until Sunday 5th June at Norton Fishing lakes near Stowmarket in Suffolk.
It is not a BN event, but there has been interest already. The owner Stuart is a naturist and keen to have an event to encourage naturism.
They are offering Beauty Therapy including waxing, walks around the lakes, archery, clay pigeon shooting, wild camping, a platinum jubilee tea party in honour of the Queen. Lots to do.
They are on Twitter;
To book your place call 07747107728
Or email;
nortonlakes@gmail.com
Andy
It's an Art deco venue with an Olympic size heated, main pool and 2 other pools. There is hot food available and hot drinks frrom the poolside Cafe.
If your doing gardening that weekend of Saturday 28th May. Here is a thought;
Why take your Garden waste to the tip, when you can join in the Great British Skinny Dip.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Enjoy your trip to the skinny dip.
The Friday kicked off with with a tea party sponsored by Paterson's Shortbread and our singer and comedian Robbie Carran getting the party going in fine style.
The sun shone for us on the Saturday allowing everyone to get out in the hotel's back garden. Was a wonderful sight of playing badminton, swing ball and archery as well as just relaxing in the sun. Of course some hardy walkers headed off to naked walk in the surrounding hills. The evening saw the highlight of the weekend, World Famous Burns in the Buff with excellent Burns Supper fare and was followed with ever popular Reelly Jiggered Ceilidh band who had us all reelly jiggers by the end of the evening!
On the Sunday we paid a visit to the local Galashiels swimming pool where we received a great reception by the pool staff which was pleasant following the problems we had in getting a booking being naturists. In the evening we had bingo and the popular horse racing.
Throughout the weekend various activities took place including the infamous haggis hunt and very few of the haggis escaped. With various raffles, horse races and auction of the hotel groups voucher for 2 nights dinner bed and breakfast for two in one of their 37 hotels you helped raised £503.15 for the local Margaret Kerr Palliative Care Unit. A fantastic effort.
Once again the hotel, the meals and the staff were brilliant, our thanks go out to them.
Of course without you the guests, the event would not have happened and the amazing help from all our volunteers and helpers too many to name making the event one of BN's highlights.
Thanks Danny
Below is the Shop link for tickets.
https://shop.bn.org.uk/collections/local-naturist-events/products/peterborough-lido-2022
Following
Meeting Minutes 2022.pdf
Alnwick Garden on the 19 June
River Forth Boat Trip on 25 June
Farne Island Boat Trip on 30 July
Full detail on calendar and tickets on sale via the BN shop soon. Events open to BN members and guests
Link to booking https://shop.bn.org.uk/collections/local-naturist-events
