About BN

Next Monday (27 July) we’ll be taking a look at BN’s campaign Women in Naturism. My principal guest will be Donna Price (pictured above). Relatively new to the lifestyle, Donna has been a social Naturist and BN member, together with husband John, since 2016. Last year, she took on the role of Women in Naturism Campaign Coordinator, aiming to encourage more women to try Naturism and experience the freedom it brings, using her growing following on social media, publicising Naturism, and helping pe

In 2024, British Naturism will celebrate its 60th birthday and we want to mark it in a big way. British Naturism was formed in 1964 when two societies - the British Sun Bathing Society and the Federation of British Sun Clubs - decided to combine forces. Naturism in the UK started well before that, of course, with some of the clubs still around today. It won’t be long before some of them celebrate turning 100! It’s a great excuse for a party and for members to feel proud of being the cu

Our monthly Forum Live: Debate session returns next Monday (14 June) and we're devoting it to the launch of the Great British Skinny Dip for summer 2021! As you can see from the illustration, we've completely rebranded and we're just putting the finishing touches to a new website which will be launched soon. There's a bigger focus this year on venues and participants raising money for our charity of the year, British Heart Foundation. So, on Monday we'll give you an overview of the pro

Over the last three years, Naturists and British Naturism have been targeted by hate groups looking for the next vulnerable minority to abuse for their amusement.  Both families and seasoned Naturists have felt the impact of antagonism, forcing us to review how we run events to protect the safety of both attendees and venue staff. Naturism has a positive effect on the lives of many individuals.  It has been proven to improve happiness, confidence, mental health, and self-image.  At the same

The Forum Live next Monday (18th January) will showcase the wonderful world of British Naturism events for 2021. Well, we will certainly tell you what we are planning and will have to wait and see if the global circumstances will allow us to go ahead! My guest will be BN's Event Manager, Mark Walsh, who will talk about the real, face-to-face events that are scheduled and what you can expect at them, both in terms of activity, and measures we may have to put in place in view of the pandemic.

So, how did you get into Naturism?  That's the topic for next Monday's session. It's always an interesting one, how each of us became aware of social nudity, the activities there were, the places to visit, the vast, global community of like-minded people. Some of us had to dragged kicking and screaming into it, some of us couldn't wait to be part of it. Many stumbled across a beach on holiday to discover that no one was wearing a costume or were introduced by a friend or relative. Whichever

Next week, 28th June, we're delighted to welcome another guest from an overseas Federation, this time FENAIT, Italy. Andrea is the Fenait Secretary, and says, 'Naturism was in my mind since my twenties, but I discovered organised Naturism only in 2009, when I joined my local association (Associazione Naturista Abruzzese). Two years later I was elected as a member of the board; since then I have specialised in Naturist event management. Some years later I was invited to be a member of the fe

The Forum Live returns next week (Monday 4th January) at 19:30 and we will be delighted to welcome Aurelio Vaquero, Managing Director of one of Spain's top Naturist resorts, Camping Naturista El Portús.  Aurelio first visited El Portús in July 1984, after finishing his University course in Madrid, intending to work for a few weeks to fund a holiday. After two weeks he started working on reception and three years later was offered the MD role. He's been there ever since running this busy, po

Next Monday (26 October) I'm pleased to announce that my guest on The Forum Live will be Erich Schuttauf Erich serves as the Executive Director of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).  The association advocates for nude recreation throughout North America within such settings as nudist clubs, events and resorts, traditional public lands and beaches, and “your own private backyard.”   Erich is the editor of a revision to AANR’s Guide to Creating and Managing Clothing Opt

I've been looking forward to being able to host this one for ages... John Weir is British Naturism's IT support manager, who works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that everything IT in BN works smoothly and delivers the benefits it should. Our reliance on technology has grown exponentially over the years. Despite it being a volunteer role, John spends more time than he probably would in a full time job. John's a BN member and has been a Naturist since his early 20s, and worked in IT

Next week's (31st January) guest on the Forum Live will be writer Lucy Holden. Lucy first came to our attention a few years ago when she wrote a piece on the largely-unplanned winter she spent at Naturist resort/village Flevo Natur in the Netherlands. That experience led the Evening Standard to commission her to take a lockdown-enforced staycation at a Naturist place in the UK last summer. Lucy, accompanied by her friend Rosie plumped for Apollo Sun Club near Brighton and the resulting arti

I'm delighted to announce that my guest next Monday evening (27th April 2020) will be Stéphane Deschênes. In his time, Stéphane has been President of FCN, the Canadian Federation and the FCN representative at the INF, taking other INF roles too. However, he is probably best known for being both the power behind the popular Naturist Living Show and the owner of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park with its world-leading mandatory nudity policy - even the staff are required to be naked, and he

I'm delighted to reveal that our guests on The Forum Live on Monday 30th November will be Julia Galbenu and Tom Clarke from the National Trust. Studland Bay is arguably, Britain's best Naturist beach. The bay in Dorset - with other non-Naturist sections is owned by the National Trust. Nude bathing has a long history there. British Naturism is even represented on the official, National Trust operated, beach users group. Julia Galbenu has always been fascinated by the natural world. Afte

It gives me great pleasure to ask you to make a date in your diaries to join me next Monday, 29th June, when I speak to Victoria Bateman Victoria is an academic economist and Fellow at the University of Cambridge, where her latest book was “The Sex Factor: How Women made the West Rich” (Polity, 2019). But she’s also known for using her body in art and protest, whether to challenge assumptions and stigma about women’s bodies, to confront sexism in economics, or to fight Brexit. She has

Next week's guest (7 December) will be the founder of Dine Naked Bristol (and BN member) Will Bryson. Will was also a recipient of a British Naturism Certificate of Merit at the 2020 AGM. Will launched Dine Naked Bristol in 2018 taking naked dining to pubs and restaurants across Bristol and beyond. The concept has led to 14 events so far, with some selling out in a matter of hours, and some where staff have stripped off to join in. It also inspired others to organise their own naked dining

The Forum Live truly lives up to its name next Monday night, 5th July, as we bring you the 'show' direct from Nudefest in Somerset. The agenda for the evening is as yet unconfirmed, but we hope to bring you a tour of the site including the various venues where activities will take place - Zen, The Pavillion and Cirque, meet the organisers and find out about the line-up and how an event like Nudefest comes together, and chat to some Nudefest guests about their expectations for this fantastic

In next week’s The Forum Live (25 April) we will cover all things British Heart Foundation!  Regular readers will know that we have reinvigorated our relationship with this huge national charity and are working closely with them to raise funds via Naked Heart Walks and Great British Skinny Dips. Monday’s session will be a panel discussion and we will be pleased to welcome Rebecca Honey and Emily Lyle from British Heart Foundation who will explain their roles in our relationship and bring us

Next Monday evening, 20 July, I'm delighted to let you know that my guest will be Jonathan Cowie Jonathan is the editor of Outdoor Swimmer magazine, the only printed magazine in the world dedicated to swimming outdoors. He is a year-round swimmer with a particular love of very cold water. He has competed in ice swimming competitions around the world, including a winter triathlon that involved skiing instead of cycling! He is a qualified open water coach with a particular love of introducing

Ok, so it may be tricky to actually go on holiday these days, but we can at least talk about it! Next Monday (6 July) my guests will be members of the BN Holiday Advice team, and especially the team leader Andy Wyman.  We'll learn more about this FREE service to BN members, how it works and the kind of information the team can provide to help you have the greatest Naturist holiday ever! If you are new to the world of Naturist holidays (and there are opportunities around the world) it's

On Monday 8 June, we'll be hosting a session in which we will combine presentation, discussion and your questions on the subject of volunteering in British Naturism. The panel will include members of the policies and procedures working group. It follows the publication to members of our Volunteering Strategy Consultation. (Log in required). It promises to be another interesting session - educational and inspiring!  There is no charge for the Forum Live sessions. Visit our events w

Join us next Monday evening (17 April) at 19:30 as we talk about World Naked Hiking Day. It takes place on 21st June and BN is planning to make the most of it! There's been a huge increase in naked walking over recent years with people (partly) inspired by the work done by British Naturism in clarifying the legal position. Many group walks take place each year and we've appointed walking coordinators to encourage more in some of our regions. Even The Times participated last summer! I'l

This Halloween, don't be grim, reap the benefits of a naturist break at SANER's Halloween Gathering - BN members from all regions welcome.  Enjoy the devilishly good Naturist entertainment and events. Our final itinerary is yet to be finalised, however, what's for certain is that you'll be enjoying a monster mash-up of a Halloween disco.  At some point, maybe venture out (with clothes, sadly) to discover the local history of Stirling and its famous castle. Since the event was launched in Ma

Over Halloween, more than 90 guests attend SANER’s annual event ‘The Gathering’ in the historic city of Stirling at the King Robert hotel, writes Danny Callaghan. It’s on the site of the Battle of Bannockburn (1314), a date most Scots remember when we had a historic victory of the Auld Enemy the English. However this time no skirmishes were reported and our English guests returned home tired, happy but unscathed. The event saw ghosts, ghouls and witches and pumpkins galore.  A real scary si

To anyone wondering whether The Gathering would happen this year: Wonder no more! After a long struggle through pandemic and hotel closures, the SANER team have now succeeded in securing a new home for the Gathering for its 10th birthday.  This year the wildly popular event heads to the historic City of Stirling, with its magnificent castle (pictured), around 30 minutes north of Glasgow, to the King Robert Hotel, which is next to the Battle of Bannockburn battlefield, a lovely modern hotel.

A real live event open for booking! Tickets for British Naturism's SANER (Scotland and North England, including Northern Ireland) region's annual hotel activity weekend - in a brand new location on the Isle of Bute - are now on sale! The Gathering takes place at the Glenburn Hotel, Rothesay, Bute, over the weekend of 23rd - 26th April 2021. Three nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis plus a whole host of activities and fantastic entertainment throughout your stay. Find out more abo