BN Events 2016

The Future's Bright - The Future's Naturist!

Building on the bumper successes of 2015, the national organisation for Naturism, British Naturism, has set out its plans for 2016 to support the
increase in Naturist activity in the UK.

More and more people are discovering for themselves the benefits to health, wellbeing and confidence that Naturism brings. This year sees British Naturism continue to offer some great opportunities for people to enjoy what must surely be the most liberating and relaxing lifestyle there is.
In 2016, we see the continuation of two initiatives, which have enabled many to take their first steps into Naturism:

• Women in Naturism - an initiative specifically aimed at women and families. The 2015 campaign saw our member clubs and other venues hold a range of successful events, with many reporting increases in female memberships. This year's weekend on 4th and 5th June, looks set to be even more successful. Full details at: https://www.bn.org.uk/news/news/women-in-naturism-r332
• The Great British Skinny Dip - a national campaign to raise the profile of the health benefits of going without clothes with many opportunities across the country for people to give it a try. Further details at: https://www.bn.org.uk/news/news/the-great-british-skinny-dip-%E2%80%93-2nd-4th-septembe-r346

Of course our year isn't just built around these two campaigns! We organise a huge range of events, some for members only, others open to all! Our flagship event is 'Nudefest', a weekend of entertainment, excursions and fun, which has been so successful that we've had to find a new, larger venue in Somerset (see https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/2914-nudefest). We also have even more ambitious plans for a wide range of special visits to established and popular attractions, group holidays abroad, sporting events and days out, as well as supporting events that complement our way of life like the 'Streak for Tigers' event at London Zoo. Our full programme is at https://www.bn.org.uk/activities/bigdaysout but check out this listing (and this is only what's planned so far!):

Group Holidays Abroad
Spa weekend in Rotterdam - 19th - 21th February
El Portus, Spain - 7th - 14th May

South
Bournemouth - 5th - 7th February

North West
Blackpool - 4th - 7th March
Solos weekend, Liverpool - 12th - 14th August

Scotland
'The Gathering' Dunoon - 29th April - 1st May
Summer Camp, Dumfries - 19th - 20th August

Yorkshire
'Camp Katur' North Yorkshire - 13th - 15th May
'Nudestock' Yorkshire - 27th May - 3rd June
Helmsley Walled Gardens, Yorkshire - 9th July

South East
Jazz and Real Ale Festival at the Naturist Foundation, Kent - 23rd - 26th June
Party in the Stark, Naturist Foundation, Kent - 29th - 31st July

Midlands
Waterworld, Stoke on Trent - 23rd April
National swimming gala in Leicester - 19th March

East Anglia
National petanque competition in Norfolk - 29th April - 1st May

British Naturism Commercial Manager, Andrew Welch says "It is so good to see that more and more people are taking part in Naturist activities. Naturists are probably the friendliest community you will ever meet and, as well as the benefits of the Naturist lifestyle in terms of health and wellbeing, the ‘buff pound' also brings financial benefits to the places we visit. It is now very clear that there is a real appetite Naturism in the UK and our programme of events aims to provide some fabulous opportunities for all the family."

Press attendance at some events is possible. Please contact us with your request

British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised Naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite Naturists around the UK and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors were in existence since the 1930s.

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. www.bn.org.uk/campaigning/index.

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 rarely relevant. See Crown Prosecution Service guidance on Naturism for details. There is inadequate protection against prejudice, misunderstanding of the law, and abuses of the law, and that can result in Naturists finding themselves in difficulties

In the UK, there are over 130 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many beaches used regularly by Naturists. Membership of BN is around 10,000 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN.www.bn.org.uk/activities/placestogo.

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 in a Naturist environment. 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/media, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about Naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or program