North West Region with YEM. - Naked Heart Walks 2025...Organiser - ron.ohare@bn.org.uk

1/ 28/06 Himalayan Gardens, Ripon, Yorks. 4-7pm - organiser ron.ohare Postcode HG4 3DA. /// nozzles.rather.trembles 

2/ 05/07 CWM Weeg Gardens, Newtown, Wales. 2-5pm - Postcode SY16 4AT. /// skinning.grin.processor

3/ TBC 27/07 Water's Edge Bishampton, Worcs 4-7pm - Postcode WR10 2LY. /// encoding.thickened.flickers 

4/ 13/08 Dorothy Clive Gardens, Wiltshire. 6 - 8.30pm Postcode TF9 4EU. /// nuggets.goodbyes.clipped

South West Region...Organiser - keith.bowman@bn.org.uk

1/ 16/05 Court Farm Lakes, Lydney, Gloucester. 2-5pm. Postcode ??? /// scales.owned.vague

2/ 15/08 Court Farm Lakes, Lydney, Gloucester. 2-5pm. Postcode ??? /// scales.owned.vague

3/ 27/09 Powderham Castle, Exeter, Devon. 2-5pm. Postcode EX6 8JQ. /// quoted.trailer.fees

South East Region...Organiser - colin.taylor@bn.org.uk

1/ 14/06 Leonardslee Gardens, Horesham, Sussex. Postcode RH13 6PP. /// repeating.optimists.wobbling 

2/ 14/09 Leonardslee Gardens, Horesham, Sussex. Postcode RH13 6PP. /// repeating.optimists.wobbling 

3/ TBC Rainham Marshes, Rainham, Kent. Postcode RM19 1SZ. /// metals.cages.lied 

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2024 - A Super Summer for Naked Heart Walks.

We began during May at the fabulous Powderham Castle on the banks of the River Exe in Glorious Devon, nestled amongst the famous Rolling Hills. The 75 participants who turned-up on the day, all keen to get going, set off on the walk around the beautiful gardens decorated with masses of colourful rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom - It was truly magnificent. So s fantastic day was enjoyed by all concerned and more importantly, together, funds in excess of £1,000 were raised for The British Heart Foundation. An amazing effort and thanks go to everyone involved as we all look forward to more such events.

So on to Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens during mid-June in glorious West Sussex. The venue were proud to host a Naked Heart walk for a second year running.  The gardens are famed for outstanding displays of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Magnolias, Bluebells and the beautiful ornamental rock garden. Almost 70 people attended the Naked Heart Walk at raising more than £1,000 for British Heart Foundation.

The Naked Heart Walks are a great opportunity to meet new people, shed your clothes and your woes and raise money for a good cause.  The walk at this event is a 5km circular walk which is great if, like me, you want to support the cause and meet new people but are not a fan of arduous walks!  You can walk as little or as much as you like.

Heading North to Ripon in Yorkshire at the end of June we again organised the Himalayan Gardens Naked Heart Walk. A Second visit to this fabulous venue attracted 81 attendees and despite the drizzle, they shed their clothes so a procession of umbrella carrying Naturist enjoyed a stroll through the meandering paths that took walkers in various directions. So following the organised walk, the curiosity of attendees meant Naturist were spread far and wide, intrigued by the many sculptures and  landscapes that surround the Lakes at the centre of the Park.

Again we raised over £1000 for the British Heart Foundation selling 91 tickets and the event was organised jointly by the North West and YEM regions. It was well supported by members and newbies from various regions and it was great to see a strong contingency of YBN members attend. We have booked this venue again for the last Saturday in June 2025.

A completely new venue in Wales had been approached named CWM Weeg Gardens. We were unsure if this could be a worthwhile venture, but taking the show on the road to a previously unexplored area in Mid-Wales was an interesting proposition. The venue hosts, Wolfgang and Kingsley couldn’t have been more accommodating, providing a free hot drink and cream scone on arrival and Wow! What a beautiful venue we have discovered where a decent size walk was accomplished clothes free as the sunshine replaced the showers.

So the day turned out to be a great success, we didn’t expect to sell too many tickets for this event, but the Venue hosts were happy with our contribution and said they would certainly welcome us back next year. Around £500 was raised for the British Heart Foundation. It was a real pleasure to see - the organiser of the very first ever Naked Heart Walk in Painshill Park - Philip Baker attend this event travelling all the way from the South Coast.

Our latest venture was another repeated event with a dual purpose from which incorporated a Naked Heart Walk and a Great British Skinny Dip at Water’s Edge, Bishampton, deep into the gorgeous Worcestershire countryside. Again a massive success at an appealing venue that provided us with almost uninterrupted sunshine. The occasion attracted quite a few ‘new to Naturism’ attendees, and it was great to see members of our NHW / GBSD  WhatsApp group who we normally only see on Zoom.

We had the pleasure of meeting with a local journalist who promised to write an article about her experience for the Worcester News. I had previously spoken to Charlotte by phone and she joined us for the walk and Skinny Dip, chatting and embracing Naturism for the very first time. She said the experience was completely exhilarating and she would certainly attend another British Naturism event. We sold 57 tickets for this event.

Last but not least,  the Dorothy Clive Gardens NHW was completed in August on an amazingly perfect evening blessed with warm Sunshine, so we look forward to scheduling more of these events next year and catching up with you all again.

Thanks so much for your support and participation during a great Summer for British Naturism.

 Ron O’Hare