Press Releases - Articles

Press Release: New Year, new nudists

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:16:31 +0000

Naturism in the 21st century is being increasingly driven by the internet, thanks to social media such as Facebook and Twitter and niche websites such as Naked Vegan Cooking (www.nakedvegancooking.com)

This phenomenon is explored in a documentary called ‘My Daughter, the Teenage Nudist’ to be broadcast on Thursday January 12.

British Naturism are delighted to have been fully involved with this excellent film. We worked closely throughout 2011 with ZKK, the production company, helping them to find people and places to show how social nudity is becoming much more common - even if in a more casual way - and amongst younger people.

BN’s commercial manager, Andrew Welch, said: “We were happy to help out with a film that really gives an insight into the new naturist world. Social nudity is not just for people of a certain age group and young people like the stars of this film, Molly, Alex and Daryl, are taking it to places where traditional naturism has rarely been and challenging conventional thought.

“Our recent survey, conducted for us by Ipsos Mori, showed that around 3.7 million people in the United Kingdom consider themselves to be naturists.

‘My Daughter, the Teenage Nudist’ goes out on Channel 4 at 10pm on Thursday January 12.

Mollie, Alex and Daryl are all available for interview

- ENDS -

Contacts:

BN Commercial Manager

Andrew Welch: Tel - 01753 481527/07774 955138

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 will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors were in existence since the 1930s.
A survey conducted in the autumn of 2011 by Ipsos Mori shows that there are 3.7 million naturists in the UK
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 not relevant.
In the UK, there are over 130 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many “officially designated” naturist beaches, with many others used regularly by naturists. Membership of BN is around 10,500 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. There are also thousands of UK naturists who enjoy holidays and beaches in the UK and abroad without being members of recognised naturist organisations.
YBN (Young British Naturists) has a membership of young men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 who get together at clubs and beaches many weekends. They represent the UK at the International Naturist Federation (INF) Youth Rally held annually
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 of abuse in a naturist environment. In addition, 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/index.php/mediacentre, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes

Dame Helen Mirren named "Naturist of the Ye...

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:14:39 +0000

British Naturism, the UK’s internationally recognised body for organised naturism, has awarded leading British actress, Dame Helen Mirren, the title of “Naturist of the Year”. Miss Mirren was presented with an engraved rose bowl to mark the award. Dame Helen was selected from a number of well-known celebrities who have made their love of a naturist lifestyle public.

Mick Ayers, Chairman of British Naturism, said:
“Naturism in this country is thriving and there are hundreds of thousands of UK people enjoying naturist beaches, clubs, swims and resorts, both here and abroad and yet it is often portrayed as an eccentric activity pursued by a tiny minority. So, when one of Britain’s best loved and successful actresses is happy to talk openly about her love of naturism, it helps our cause no end. I am delighted that we have been able to say thanks, by making this award.”

Dame Helen Mirren said:
“Many thanks to British Naturism for this great honour. I do believe in naturism and am my happiest on a nude beach with people of all ages and races!”

Date: June 2004

A Nude Year's Resolution to Get Fit

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:50:46 +0000

30 December 2011

Where will you be?

The second Great British Skinny Dip event - organised by British Naturism, the UK’s national naturist organisation, takes place during January and February 2012 with a variety of naturist swim locations offering half price entry to newcomers.

Millions of people around the country will be making New Year's resolutions to get fit after the excesses of the festive season and often also to try something new. The Great British Skinny Dip manages both in one go.

British Naturism's Commercial Manager, Andrew Welch said:

“There is nothing quite so liberating and life-affirming as swimming without clothes with the wonderful sensation of the water over your whole body. Millions of people around the world have discovered the joys of skinny-dipping and we want to provide an easy opportunity for many others to give it a go – and find out what they are missing. “Social nudity” is on the increase as people are far less hung up these days about seeing or being seen naked by friends and family and are realising the benefits it brings to mental, emotional and physical health, body image issues, and their ability to relax and escape the rigours of daily life."

Media attendance at many of the events is welcome. Please contact us for further information and assistance or make direct contact – details for each venue are to be found on the Great British Skinny Dip website

- ENDS -

Contacts:
BN Commercial Manager
Andrew Welch 01753 481527
07774 955138
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 will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors have been in existence since the 1930s.
A survey conducted in the autumn of 2011 by Ipsos Mori shows that there are 3.7 million naturists in the UK
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. For the full list of our aims see here. In May 2010 we launched a Three Year Plan providing a framework for all of our work and services to naturists everywhere.
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 not relevant.
In the UK, there are over 130 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many “officially designated” naturist beaches, with many others used regularly by naturists. Membership of BN is around 10,500 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. There are also thousands of UK naturists who enjoy holidays and beaches in the UK and abroad without being members of recognised naturist organisations.
YBN (Young British Naturists) has a membership of young men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 who get together at clubs and beaches many weekends. They represent the UK at the International Naturist Federation (INF) Youth Rally held annually – see our YBN pages for more details.
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. See FAQs about naturism.
It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk of abuse in a naturist environment. In addition, 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 more information on British Naturism, please visit our website at:
www.bn.org.uk/. For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” at www.bn.org.uk/mediacentre/, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes, including a downloadable Media Information Pack. There is also a contact page, to ensure that any enquiries are directed to the right person and gain an appropriate and speedy reply.