Nudefest 2010 serves up the perfect recipe for success

British Naturism’s annual trip to Newperran Holiday Park for Nudefest was a triumph for all involved. The weather played its part, with Cornwall bathed in glorious sunshine for most of the time; Park owners Keith and Christine Brewer and their staff played their part as always, throwing themselves into the event with great gusto and proving magnificent hosts for the 250 naturist guests – a significant increase on recent years’ attendance. I was also told that the gender balance was more equal than usual, with a lot more women attending, which bodes well for naturism generally.

As a first-timer at Nudefest and a confirmed non-camper, I should say the guests played their part, creating a memorable camaraderie which made me proud to be among such a great group of people. But don’t take my word for it; as editor of British Naturism, I suppose I would say I enjoyed myself. Rather, if you weren’t there (and even if you were), look at the feedback (below) from those who did attend and who posted their best moments of the weekend on the members’ forum section of the BN website.

And as for me? I haven’t slept in a tent for 30 years but stepping out naked into the field on a sunlit West Country morning after a surprisingly good night’s sleep is something I will remember for a while.

For anyone new to BN, this was our fourth annual Nudefest event. In 2007, we helped gift experience company Red Letter Days organise “The Garden of Eden”, a naturist night at Cornwall’s Eden Project, and decided to put on an event/accommodation nearby the same weekend to encourage a good turnout. We found the textile Newperran Holiday Park near Newquay, turned it into a naturist resort for the weekend and had a blast. “The Garden of Eden” turned out to be a one-off, but Nudefest has continued and is now one of the “must-do” events in the naturist calendar. Keith and Christine have become our good friends and great ambassadors for naturism, often telling us how well we compare with their other guests and always looking forward to – and telling their other guests about – our annual visit. It is more than likely that Nudefest 2011 will run for a week – keep an eye out for details as they are announced. We hope that it will encourage those of you who feel that Cornwall is too far to go for a weekend and we’ll make sure there is plenty of time to do the “tourist bit” as well as put on some activities that we currently can’t squeeze into the three-day event.

As always, the 2010 timetable was packed. During the days, guests could join in classes in yoga, tai chi, juggling, lifecoaching, belly-dancing, soca dancing, circle dancing, lifedrawing and cribbage; play games and sports such as the early-morning jog around the park, volleyball, the pétanque tournament, wargaming, Nintendo Wii, board games and bingo; learn more about BN’s activities through workshops and presentations on child safeguarding, campaigning, dealing with the media, our charity the Marine Conservation Society and the new Three Year Plan; listening to their favourite music and that of other guests at the MiTunes sessions which this year had sessions dedicated to Jazz & Blues, contemporary and the memorable chill-out classical, which was run at the same time as “Picnic in the Park” – a communal lunch on the awn by the marquee. There were also sessions devoted to building our archive of photographs for the media, Amanda’s massage and therapy tent, face- and bodypainting and the “NEC” (Naturist Exhibition Centre) with stalls manned by holiday resorts, clubs, regions and more. The BN shop did a roaring trade – especially with the new Nudefest T-shirt for men and strappy-top for women. Although all activities are well supported, there’s no pressure to get involved and many people
chilled out with friends, enjoyed a drink from the bar in the sun, swam in or lazed by the fabulous pool or took off to explore the local area.

If the days are great, the nights are unbelievable. Newperran’s onsite bar is really a large pub and we certainly made the most of it. If you had told me a month earlier that I would find myself hosting a pub quiz, naked and completely bodypainted as a tiger, I may not have believed you. In the end, it was one of the great experiences of my life. That was followed by Gerri, a local singer who was truly superb and got everyone dancing – not that much encouragement was needed! If you’ve not been to Nudefest, I can only try to make you imagine the tangible excitement and spirit that descends in the bar in the evenings when the music starts…it’s always roasting, so no one wears a stitch and it’s fantastic being among likeminded people having so much fun. Friday saw an interactive “pamper” session and many watched England’s World Cup effort against Algeria – the gloom afterwards was palpable but soon forgotten when The Roosters played. Three hours later, people were having to be dragged off to bed after a naked conga through the bar and out into the garden. Only happy naturists could do that. Those that weren’t sleepy gathered in the marquee to watch and join in with the sing-a-long version of Grease. The surprise hit of the weekend was Saturday night’s piano sing-a-long session. Christine’s piano teacher Martin selected a variety of songs – wartime, musical theatre, Beatles and more – printed out the words for us and played and guided us through a fantastic session that no-one wanted to end. A “free mike” spot was offered and a few people sang solo to thunderous applause. Anyone for a talent show next year? Holiday prizes were given away in the raffle and we ended the evening with Jim’s disco – perhaps more frenetic than ever. It was no surprise when “last orders” was delayed, though sadly, not indefinitely!

Is it time for the programme to be changed, or do you like it exactly as it is? If you have any ideas for new activities, please step forward and let us know, as some people already have.

Even better, why not offer to help organise an activity? Much of what was done this year only happened because members offered their time and effort. As is said many times, British Naturism only has a very few hard-working volunteer officers and even fewer paid staff so we need all the help we can from members to make events like Nudefest work. We’re even turning a small profit now, extra money that we can put back into doing all the good work we do – for everyone.

Next stop – our winter equivalent – AltonTowers…!

Martin Warrillow

Members views of a great weekend

“Where else had so much energy, love and light the last few days? It’s wonderful the way the event has developed – the staff did a wonderful job, so friendly and happy and willing to go along with the atmosphere”

“I loved the singing in the bar on the last night before the disco – what lovely voices and genuine enjoyment. We should definitely have a nude choir!”

“The warm and friendly people – some I already knew but I met a whole lot more.”

“I loved the excellent Christmas dinner (yes, it’s true, a whole section of the park was dedicated to mid-winter with Xmas decorations and more – Ed.) that Brian, Mike and Fred prepared for 16 guests in a touring caravan. I also loved the live shows and the naked disco. It was great the way everybody joined in and partied the night away.”

“My best moment was lying on the grass in the sun at the ‘Picnic in the Park’ in a state of bliss as Vaughan-Williams’ ‘Lark’ ascended. It was one of those moments you don’t want to end.”

“The singalong was my favourite moment. My daughter dragged me along to it. I didn’t think it would be my sort of thing at all, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying myself and bellowing along with everyone else! Discovering that Keith had restocked the bar with bottles of Tribute was also a definite highlight.”

“We had a brilliant time on this, our first visit to Nudefest and will definitely go again. The best moments have got to be the dancing and the complete ease with which we as naturists interacted with the clothed owners and bar and cafe staff. What fantastic people, all of them.”

“The ladies and gents from Abigails cafe were a delight. Anyone who has a bad word should be reminded that the staff are all new and normally only used to the odd single customer at any one time. Who cares if you had to wait a while to get fed? Where and why were you in a rush to get anywhere else? I never left the place without a smile on my face and a very full belly.”

Many thanks to all those who supported Nudefest by taking advertising space in the programme, provided brochures for distribution, sponsored an activity, exhibited and/or donated a prize. They are:

Sunseekers Holidays: Telephone: 01691 898193; Website: www.sunseekerholidays.com

Chalfont Holidays: Telephone: 0845 045 0987; Website: www.chalfontholidays.co.uk

Fig Leaf Villas: Telephone: 00306 9824 53437; Website: www.figleafvillas.co.uk

Shaun and Julia, Torremar Natura, Vera Playa: Telephone: 0034 610 234666; Website: www.naturallyvera.com Email: shaunandjulia@hotmail.com

Martin and Jennifer Yallop, Stone Cottage, Cyprus: Telephone: 0033 6 3183 46 91; Website: www.martinyallop.com; Email: martin.yallop@orange.fr

Peng Travel: Telephone: 0845 34583465; Website: www.pengtravel.co.uk

The Naturist Foundation: Telephone: 01689 871200; Website: www.naturistfoundation.org; Email: natfound@hotmail.co.uk

Telford Naturist Club: Telephone: 01952 610873; Website: www.telfordnaturistclub.com; Email: t-n-c@btconnect.com

Bodycast: Telephone: 07760 823555; Website: www.ernestobodycast.com; Email: info@ernestbodycast.com

Kalo-Kairi: Telephone: +306995384682; Email: info@ kalo-kairi.com

Camping Relax-Nat: Telephone: +34 972 300818;Website: www.campingrelaxnat.com; Email: info@campingrelaxnat.com

No Prudes: Website: www.noprudes.co.uk

Freebird Campers: Website: www. freebirdcampers.co.uk; Email: info@freebirdcampers.co.uk

Cambium: Website: www. cambiumbene.com

Heritage Club: Telephone: 01344 775032; Email: info@heritageclub.org