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News and articles about BN and the wonderful world of Naturism
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British Naturism launches Equality and Diversity Policy

British Naturism has published its new Equality and Diversity Policy and Code of Practice.
British Naturism has already done much to address issues around equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation; for example raising awareness of body positivity, mental health, women’s equality, hate crime and anti-discrimination practice within Naturism; and this Policy, along with its Code of Practice, is designed to enhance that work and take the organisation forward in this important area.
The Policy and Code of Practice seeks to:
eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010; advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; recognise and celebrate diversity; promote inclusion and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. Members can download the Policy from the Members Area (log in required)
Not a member? Find out how to change that on our Membership Information Page...
 
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

The Forum Live: Interviewing John Weir

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 before he retired, building up experience and expertise in training and technical support roles at country, European and finally, Global levels.
To list the work he does for BN would require many pages. We have websites, the forum, the BN email system, the membership database and many other sites and platforms that require attention, upgrading, maintenance, supervision...
Come along on Monday and hear more about it - reserve your place here

Introducing our new Archivist

We're delighted to announce that, after the volunteer role being vacant for many years, we have appointed BN member Brian Curragh as our new Archivist. 
Brian says:
My wife and I have been Naturists since the early 1980s where we started our journey at Fairlight Cove.  The Greek Islands – Andros, Zakynthos, Lesbos, Crete and Karpathos – then became our choice for sunbathing before we focussed on France with regular stays at first Belezy and then Arna – which remains our favourite place.  In between we explored the Naturist beach at the Hawksbill Hotel on Antigua and finally got to Playalinda beach on the Atlantic coast of Florida.
It wasn’t all beach based as for two years we were members at Blackthorns.  We’ve also been keen members of British Naturism since 1996.
My interest in history was always there but was brought to a new focus when I did a MA in British First World War Studies at the University of Birmingham.  This led to me getting three chapters published in academic studies of the Great War alongside writing journals and book reviews.  I have now taken the next step by starting a PhD at the University of Wolverhampton which will look at patronage in the Late Victorian Army.
What my academic studies have given me is a solid understanding of the importance of good quality archives for any organisation and also the chance to observe how these national archives are operated.  Archives need to be secure and accessible if they are to play a role in promoting study of any movement.
So, with our personal voyage through Naturism alongside my academic studies and a strong fascination with the history of Naturism, I am delighted to take on the role of Archivist for British Naturism. Securing the archives and seeing them in a new home is my initial objective. I also intend to forge strong links with naturist archives in the United States and Europe which will give further examples of best practice and the promotion of access thereby bringing the study of Naturism firmly to the foreground as part of a wider move towards normalising it.
archive@bn.org.uk 
 

A wonderful weekend ahead...

Don't let anyone tell you there is nothing to do during lockdown...there's an amazing line-up of online events at British Naturism this weekend - if you start now, it's even better! 

All our activities can be done from wherever you are in the world and without having to bother to get dressed...and many of them are FREE to our members.

Choose from - or attend them all

Friday - Fitsteps : Yoga, the Big Quiz, and Pub Night at the Bare Arms
Saturday - Power Yoga, Keep Fit for British Heart Foundation, and the year's first Naked Disco, where it will be 60s night!
Sunday - Earth Meditation, the new Sunday Brunch cook-along and Yoga.

Also - our friends at the Paris Naturist Association are hosting another 'Hands Across the Globe' online event where you can meet and talk to Naturists from around the world, on Sunday evening.

Some of these events are for members of British Naturism only. If you're not one of them, it's easy to join...find out how and details of all the benefits you will receive
 
Photo by Alex Bertha on Unsplash

The Forum Live: Dive in to our events

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.
I'll also be asking Mark about the huge range of online events - including all the fantastic new ones - that won't be affected by what's happening in the pesky outside world...
The Forum Live is open to BN and INF members, including AANR and is free to attend.
Reserve your place now...

A First Summer At Sunfolk

‘From the time I first saw British Naturism Sunfolk, I fell in love with it. It was March – a damp, cool, misty day. The trees were still bare, holly was sprawling and the buildings were dull and tired. But there was something about the whole place; it was full of history and promise. And so began the season of Sunfolk for us as a family – a haven, four hours drive from our home up North,’ writes Fran.
When Covid, school and life allowed, myself and our daughters, 14 and 12, bundled into my little car and headed down South – joining my husband who often stayed on site to project manage.
At the outset, we met some of the ‘legacy' members (members of Sunfolk at the time of the BN acquisition) and listened fondly to their memories of spending time there over the years, often with their young children, now adults with families of their own. We flicked through the black and white photo albums, taking in the evolution of this beautiful site – pictures of members building a windmill, digging out tree stumps with axes and bare hands, and building an actual flushing toilet!
Our children explored the woodlands, finding old rope and trying desperately to make a swing in the old oak tree on the lawn. Dejected from their efforts they eventually gave up. And then, as if by magic, a rope swing appears – hanging perfectly from a thick branch, a chunky log for a seat. Legacy member Martin had seen the rope on the lawn and within minutes had grabbed a drill from the workshop, made a hole in a log and deftly sent the rope up into the trees for the swing. And so it now hangs – thanks Martin!
Early on, we teamed up with another family and formed a little bubble of Sunfolk energy and inspiration. We cleared forgotten pathways, donned white coats and painted the gates, hauled old items from the woods, scrubbed swimming pool tiles, dusted ancient cobwebs, weeded, pruned, cleared, cleaned...
As the season warmed, Sunfolk began to shine. Covid faded (a little) and our bubble expanded. Volunteers came, armed with bundles of enthusiasm and smiles. Everyone seems to want the absolute best for Sunfolk – it has that effect on people. The sun often shone (though not always!) and with a huge fire in the woods, all that was needed was thick gloves and boots! Miles and miles, trodden back and forth, dragging holly and fallen trees, cutting dense undergrowth and flinging everything on the fire (hanging around a little longer when it rained to warm up before the next journey!). And soon, the beauty of the woods unfolded – a clear path to walk and light shining through the trees.
Next, piles of wood chippings, left by the tree surgeon, just waiting for those willing volunteers to grab wheelbarrows and rakes (a memory of hours of their time Roy and Alan will never forget)! Where diggers had scraped roadways for cars, steam rollers trundled to flatten, and the wood chips were spread to create clear areas for caravans and camper vans.
As the time passed, job lists grew – projects created, then ticked off, done! The toilet block was painted, a wash-up kitchen built at the back for campers, paths re-done, the sun lounge repainted and re-carpeted (girl power thanks to Pam and Claire!), a barbeque was built (by the ever-practical Matt), new outdoor showers installed, areas cleared and tidied…
But it wasn’t all work all of the time. There is such a beauty to sharing space and working hard – friendships deepened, new friendships formed… In all honestly it rarely felt like ‘work’. We laughed (a lot), we ate together, had crazy fun in the pool. Our children brought fun and energy and laughter, and often got stuck in with whatever projects were going on around them. This is real community – people of all ages coming together and spending time together. Sharing something special.
By the time Sunfolk came to opening weekend, we were a bundle of satisfied exhaustion and nervous tension – would people like it? Had we done enough? Would they see the rustic appeal of this lovely woodland site just like we had…?
And I think the resounding answer is…. Yes!
People came and went throughout the late Summer – some to relax and spend time quietly enjoying the space, some to enjoy walking and cycling the surrounding areas, some to spend time with friends and make new ones. A highlight for many is the evening campfire – a chance to sit and relax and chat after a day of maybe sunbathing, reading, sauna time, a little swimming…
One of the loveliest times for me was the weekend where families and young people came – we weren’t able to have NKD this year, so we had a low-key weekend sharing Sunfolk together. It was just beautiful and epitomises what Naturism is for me – community and friendship. Where everyone regardless of age, or background, or anything else can just come together through the shared enjoyment of simple Naturism and spend time together. It is good for us – it is good for our children.
When I drove away from Sunfolk for the last time this year, my heart saddened a little. I miss it – the people, the most. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone I spent time with at Sunfolk – the amazing volunteers who helped make Sunfolk the welcoming place it is. And to those I met who were visiting – it was a pleasure.
I look forward to the coming year and what more Sunfolk can offer (the project list is already growing!). Maybe I will see you there…?
sunfolk.bn.org.uk

Nudefest 2021 - open for booking!

We're delighted to tell you that our big summer Naturist festival Nudefest (Est. 2007) is open for booking!
It's scheduled to take place at Thorney Lakes from Monday 5th to Monday 12th July
Covid-19 has had a major effect on events and we're obviously keeping an eye on what's happening and what's possible. We have three priorities – safe, good value and fun – if any of those are compromised then we will look at our options.
The Guarantee – if it’s not safe, good value or fun it won’t be happening.
Find out more including how to book your place over on our events website.
 

Launching more new online sessions!

Whether it’s for lockdown, or just a general desire here at British Naturism to keep you all entertained and engaged, we’re always looking at great new online sessions.
We launched Fitsteps this week (it starts this morning) and today are bringing you news of even more…
Keep Fit for British Heart Foundation - an aerobics session run by Sheryn in her usual 5pm Saturday slot. It’s free to sign up but we’d love you to donate to BN’s charity of the year. Starts tomorrow.
Monthly brunch - a Sunday morning cook-a-long session with Pam. Sunday 17th Jan.
Decade discos - once a month, starting with the 1960s. Strut your stuff on the virtual dance floor - and don’t worry about what to wear!
Finally don't forget this Saturday is our popular Life Drawing Class.
Follow the links to book or see the whole programme of Community events and Naked Fitness events over on our events website

The Forum Live Debate: My Nude Year

New for 2021 - giving you the chance to voice your opinion!
On the second Monday of each month, The Forum Live Debate will allow you to cease being just part of the audience but participate fully. We’ll choose a topic (we’d love you to suggest ideas too) and host a debate and discussion, including breakout rooms so that you can share your views in small groups.
Next Monday (11 Jan) the topic will be ‘My Nude Year’ and we invite you to come and discuss what you would like to get up to in 2021.
That may include overseas holiday desires or trips to Naturist places in the UK.
Perhaps you are hoping to attend your first BN or other nude event.
Maybe you’ve decided that it’s finally time that your friends knew what you do on a hot afternoon or that you are planning on a recruitment drive and getting them to join!
We’d also like to hear what you you would like to see from British Naturism.
We look forward to hearing from you. Reserve your free place now...

New Naked Fitness class - Fitsteps!

Our online event programme is expanding all the time, and you can expect to hear about more new sessions soon.
Today, however, we are pleased to announce the launch of Fitsteps - where Strictly Come Dancing meets fitness! It's an energetic, upbeat dance fitness class featuring all of your favourite strictly (striply?) dances. Suitable for all ages and abilities and you don’t need a partner. It is hosted by BN member Caroline who is a trained FitSteps instructor. It takes place every Friday at 10am, starting this week - book here!
This Saturday also sees our monthly Life Drawing class at 3pm, where the artists can be as naked as the models! Sign up now...

British Naturism on Woman's Hour

Radio 4 listeners were treated this morning to a feature on Naturism on the new-presenter-led Woman's Hour programme.
British Naturism's Donna Price, who runs our Women in Naturism campaign contributed to a highly positive discussion on naked walking and the wider world of Naturism. She was joined by Caroline Steel, radio documentary producer, who visited British Naturism Sunfolk earlier this summer and also appeared as a guest on The Forum Live. 
You can listen to the programme here - our section starts around 35 minutes in...

British Naturism on Broadway

Well, not quite, but our online events did get a mention at https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/Famous-Naked-Comedy-DISROBED-Unveiled-Online-20201212 in the promo for a new show about Naturism.
Disrobed is a play that was a ‘surprise’ hit at the Hollywood Fringe with its entirely naked cast, and entirely naked audiences. It has now been adapted as a performance on Zoom for three shows only, streaming on January 15, 16, and 17. The Sunday show on the 17th plays earlier at noon in Los Angeles' time zone which is 8:00 PM in the UK.
Apparently, audiences don’t have to be naked this time round, but we say, why wouldn’t you?
The hour-long play tells the story of shy Eric who joins the family of his fiancée Skye on Zoom for the first time only to discover Skye and her family are all Naturists…
More information and tickets can be found at https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/6996
Members can also join in a discussion about it in the Members' Area

The Forum Live: Interviewing Aurelio Vaquero

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, popular holiday destination. We'll hear more about Aurelio's work, the facilities the site offers and the many opportunities there are nearby to enhance your holiday in Southern Spain. El Portús has also been the destination for many British Naturism group holidays.
We'll also bring you a little slideshow of images of the resort and local area.
Book your place now. The Forum Live is one of our free community events. 
NEW for 2021 - on the second Monday of each month, we'll host a discussion/debate about a hot topic. Keep an eye out for details.
 

Aurelio with his daughters

Let's party like it's...

...whatever year you choose, really, with music from across the decades. Come and start the Nude year with a bang with BN.
There will be two options that you can move between - strutting your stuff on the virtual dance-floor, or meeting others and chatting (away from the noise) in the breakout bar. 
We do insist on cameras being on, but not that everyone is naked and so this could be the perfect opportunity to show that significant other in your household that Naturists know how to have fun!
Click here to book your place now!

Online events - looking forward to 2021...

British Naturism's online event programme was an instant hit when we launched it in March, in response to the global lockdown. A variety of popular sessions have been run ever since, gaining us praise, many new members (including from overseas), and great publicity including national TV and newspapers.
The good news is that online events are here to stay. We've taken stock - added new events, developed new booking sites and can confirm that we are now offering a whopping 92 sessions a month! You can also expect that number to grow ... make sure that you subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
We've also created a new pricing structure that allows you choose between Pay-As-You-Go, or buying blocks of 10 sessions at a discount, or a weekly, monthly or annual plan that gives unlimited access. It's different, and competitive when compared to other online event offerings out there (AND they insist on you getting dressed!) and is also fairer across the board for our many different types of attendees.  Best of all, it also allows British Naturism to be able to continue to offer the sessions AND for the 'community' sessions for members to be FREE!
Find out all about it and get booking your places!

Keep Busy, this Christmas, with BN...

It might be Christmas, but British Naturism are still providing wonderful things, including plenty of free content:
Join in our online events - from yoga to a pub night, and interviews to fitness classes. There's something every day, including two sessions on Christmas Day, one on Boxing Day and one on the 28th. Read over one hundred articles on our news pages about a wide variety of Naturist and Naturist-related subjects Visit goodtimes.bn.org.uk and discover how amazing and vibrant our community is Learn about our many campaigns, including inspiring, first-person stories from Women in Naturism Follow us on social media - we're active on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter Sign up for our regular newsletter and get the information straight to your inbox The members' side of our website (login required) is chock-full of interesting stuff. Naturists all over the country are currently discussing and debating a variety of topics - not all related to Naturism - and finding information, viewing event and other images, reading blogs and more.  It also contains a variety of interesting and useful downloads including full copies of BN Magazine back to 2004! You can also check out all our Volunteering opportunities. It all comes free as part of a British Naturism annual subscription.  Here's a guide on how to log in and use the member's section of the website and a new Quickstart Guide to help you find your way around...

Not a member? It's easy to join...find out how and details of all the benefits you will receive

Extra Christmas coffee mornings announced!

We're delighted to let you know we're adding two more events over Christmas - to help keep us all happy or sane or entertained - or maybe, in view of the latest restrictions - all three!
In addition to a gathering on Christmas afternoon and a quiz later that night, we're now inviting you to meet others from our wonderful community on Boxing Day and the 28th December. We've called them 'coffee mornings' but the choice of drink is up to you...
Click here for details of all our community events for December - and book your place! Click this one for all the fitness classes...
 
Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash

Have you heard what people are saying about us..?

It’s been a good year for British Naturism, an organisation that is definitely enjoying good times - click here to find out about all our activities. There's also a link to our joining page...
But don’t take our word for it…here’s what members are saying…
 
The BN website is very impressive and easy to negotiate. Clear, concise and gets me to where I actually want to go
Being a member of British Naturism is our way of supporting the ethos of Naturism
I have not been disappointed - the openness and friendliness of Naturists is always a plus
Online events have been superb and it has been a great pleasure to experience the Pub evenings and the Book club! Well done to all those who have made all this happen, and to their dedication to keeping us all together through this pandemic.
The modernisation of BN since I was last a member is truly impressive. Very impressed with the website, social media presence and the high quality of the BN magazine.
I live in Mexico and have memberships of the Mexican Federation and AANR but BN site has helped me interact with other nudists much better than in the US and even my country.
I would never have had the courage to hike naked without BN guidance and advice. Having the naturist lifestyle recognised and legal Is a great step forward.
Just wanted to say well done on all the events you have put on since lockdown including the exercise classes. I think it shows that BN really cares about the membership and are also trying hard to recruit new members.
My first try-out was at British Naturism Sunfolk, the pool and facilities were way beyond my expectation and the other naturalists were so friendly.
BN is far more proactive and supportive than I ever expected. I am intending to engage in more events and activities, so that I can get even more from being a member. What a joy and genuine relief in these troubled times!
The amount of work done to provide protection to naturists is outstanding.
I am enjoying my membership and being part of the community and wish I had joined years ago.
The quality of the print magazine and also the amount and quality of online events has far exceeded my expectations.
Thank you also for the regular production of the magazine, which has now achieved something near optimum quality.
I’ve been making use of the online classes which are very good. The online yoga sessions are a great way of exercising and unwinding at the same time.
British Naturism has established itself as a passionate (global) leader bringing a level of awareness and partnership desperately needed by a drifting community. It is my opinion that BN has stepped up where other organisations have stopped short. I’m confident your efforts will be well received.
I’m ever more impressed with BN and their hard work behind the scenes in fighting prejudice at all levels.
I’m proud to be a member of an organisation that puts the interests and above all, the feelings, of its members at its heart.
I didn't realise there was such an active community within BN, particularly online. I also wasn't aware of the great work the Executive Committee and legal team do around supporting the members and advancing the acceptance of naturism. Well done BN.
 
 
 

Another Chance to Be Naked and Disco!

We all enjoyed last week's naked disco, and now we have another chance to get on down and dance our hearts out in the way nature intended - this Saturday, 19th December, with a further opportunity on New Year's Eve. 
There will be two options that you can move between - strutting your stuff on the virtual dancefloor, or meeting others and chatting (away from the noise) in the breakout bar. 
We're also running a gathering on Christmas Day itself! What could be better than getting together with other Naturists on Christmas afternoon, especially if you find yourself spending the festive period on your own?
So, if you've got nothing on this Christmas, you'll find a warm welcome here...

Europe's Best Nude Beaches and Resorts

A free guide exclusively for BN members!
BN members have something to help banish the winter and lockdown blues with the online publication of a new holiday book celebrating hundreds of nude beaches and resorts in Europe. It's available exclusively to BN members, and has 200 pages of listings, pictures, directions and advertising to the most beautiful, peaceful, and sunny naturist sites on offer.
The book is a fully revised and updated version of a previous title published by BN members Nick Mayhew-Smith and Mike Betts. Originally called The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts, this version now focuses on Europe alone, covering popular naturist destinations including the Spanish islands, France, Greece and Croatia, with a new, expanded section on the UK listing all the main naturist holiday centres. And it includes some of the lesser visited naturist destinations too, such as the Baltic states, Scandinavia and eastern Europe.
Visit the BN shop now to find the guide (log in required)

From The Boardroom

The second of our regular feature setting out what has been going on at management level within British Naturism.
It’s been a busy autumn!
 
A departure
Firstly, we report the decision of the Chair, Jim Russell, to retire.  We salute Jim for coming forward to help lead the organisation at a time when nobody else had volunteered.  As a veteran Naturist, club member, and long-standing member of BN, Jim had considerable experience to bring to the table and we thank him for his contribution.
The Annual General Meeting
Over 200 members signed up for the AGM the most anyone can remember, certainly the most in recent times.  In terms of attendance, therefore, being forced to hold the event online actually paid dividends – even if it meant we were not able to welcome interested members to Sunfolk for the AGM.
Unsurprisingly, there was a debate on the annual report.  Many of these related to financial questions.  We were particularly grateful to Paul Martin, who is currently advising the Directors and the EC on finance issues whilst the Finance Director remains on sabbatical, for fielding various of these questions.
The AGM also featured an inspiring “state of the nation” address from the President, Mark Bass, which highlighted in the increase in membership during the course of 2020, the success of online events during the pandemic, the place of clubs within the organisation, and the work with the British Heart Foundation as charity of the year.  It also covered some less positive developments, some of which are reported below, and ended with a call for unity.
There was also an informative and illustrated presentation about BN’s plans for Sunfolk from Jon Williams – more of which below.
An online Question Time
The discussions at the AGM ran longer than had been foreseen, which cut down on the time allowed for questions.  To compensate, we arranged a further question and answer session during a “Forum Live” session on 12 October chaired by Edwin Kilby.  Over 100 people joined this event.  The event was so well received that we have decided to repeat it quarterly.  The next session, during which you can fire questions at the whole Executive Committee, will be on 14 December at 7.30, via Zoom, as usual.  
Waterworld and the follow-up
As members and practising Naturists, it’s hard for us to imagine why anyone should be against our lifestyle.  Unfortunately, there are those who misunderstand us.  A demonstration outside the family Naturist swim in September at Waterworld in Stoke on Trent turned ugly, and some participants found themselves jostled and shouted at as they left the venue.  The protest appeared to have been stirred up by ill-advised coverage in the local paper, and it was disappointing that the police who attended did not intervene more assertively.
We have made a formal complaint to Staffordshire Police.  We also complained to the local paper about the need to avoid giving coverage to unfounded conspiracy theories.  Given the propensity for such theories to spread quickly on social networks, we are now working with a firm of crisis and reputation-management consultants with a view to anticipating further problems and generating more positive perceptions of Naturism in the media.
It’s important to emphasise that problems of the sort encountered at Waterworld are rare, and appear to be localised.  We’ve previously reported issues at Blackpool, but elsewhere in the country family Naturist events proceed regularly without issue.  Although there are calls in some quarters to limit Naturist events to those aged over 18, this arguably is contrary to what Naturism is about.
Hate crime
BN has been working with the Law Commission, the body that advises the government on law reform, on their review of hate crime.  This has been an eye-catching campaign, among other things, featuring Mark Bass and Pam Fraser interviewed naked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
An offence is treated as a hate crime if it is motivated by hostility towards a particular class of people.  Currently this is limited to just five protected characteristics: race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity.
The Law Commission has now issued a consultation paper, in which input from British Naturism features prominently.  Questions in the consultation include whether the scope of hate crime should be widened.   We think there is a strong case for bringing Naturists within the legislation, especially in the light of the post-Waterworld incident.
Budget
We’re always planning for the future - and trying to predict what 2021 will look like has been made all the more challenging due to the uncertain environment in which we are all now living. One of the most important elements, is how we manage our finances. It’s something we take very seriously - our income is a few hundred thousand. Since mid-October, Tracey Major and Paul Martin have been leading the work on the Annual Budget for 2021. Inputs and contributions to the process have come from many sources to ensure that all BN activities are fully included - and assessed - in the plans for next year. As we go to press it is about to be discussed, debated and, ultimately, approved by the Executive Committee, for the benefit of everyone.
Sunfolk
Sunfolk, the former Naturist club on the borders of London and St Albans, and one of the oldest established Naturist sites in the country, was given to British Naturism earlier in the year, amid ambitious plans to make it a gold-standard Naturist facility.  A considerable amount of fairly unglamorous work, including removing dangerous branches from trees, has already done to the site to make all of it safe for visitors.
The relaxation of the Covid-related restrictions in the summer meant we were able to open Sunfolk to visitors from the beginning of August.  With the benefit of warm summer weather this proved highly popular, and on some occasions overnight camping reached capacity.  The visit of the BBC World Service mentioned elsewhere in this issue was a bonus.
Plans are forming, with the benefit of expert advice, to extend and modernise the clubhouse, and to provide enhanced facilities including a hot tub and a renovated sports court.  Some of these improvements will require planning permission and will take time to deliver, but we are confident of delivering a fantastic facility for Naturists in the coming years.
Northampton
The office building in Northampton has been put up for sale and we are confident of achieving a quick disposal.  The telephone number still works, and any mail is diverted.  A new registered address for British Naturism will be announced soon.
Nudefest
Nudefest has been, for some years, British Naturism’s flagship outdoor festival – a week-long event held in Somerset, run by an experienced team of volunteers.  Like so many other events, it had to be cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic.  We’d love to see it take place in 2021, but we need to make sure that the financial risks attaching to such plans, especially with the continuing uncertainty around what influence Covid-19 will have next summer, are effectively managed.
As Directors we have particular legal responsibilities to manage the company’s finances – in other words, members’ money – and there’s no getting away from the fact that the measures we proposed to protect BN, the event, and the volunteers, from financial risk, gave rise to disagreement with the volunteer team and some misunderstanding on the BN forum.
So we offered the volunteer team the opportunity to run the festival independently, giving them flexibility to operate it as they chose, and removing the risk from BN.  Very understandably, the team believed the risks of doing that in 2021 were too great.
BN will aim to run Nudefest in 2021 if we can, but given the pandemic the most we can say is “watch this space”.
Relationship with Clubs
Naturist clubs around the country arguably represent the grassroots of Naturism.  Some of them are up to 100 years old.  Over 90 are member clubs of British Naturism.  Some of them are “landed clubs”, with their own facilities, others are “swims”, which meet periodically at local facilities.
Clubs are run autonomously by their own committees, and by being members of British Naturism they benefit from advice and assistance when they need it, as well as insurance at a reduced premium.
Together with the regional co-ordinators and other volunteers, members of the Board have been leading a review of how the organisation interacts with the clubs, and how the benefits of the relationship might be enhanced.  This began with a questionnaire sent to all clubs in the spring, followed up with conversations with regional co-ordinators more recently.  Work is now under way on recommendations, which we hope will be available early in the new year.
A new Equality and Diversity policy
As a part of its work on updating internal policies and procedures, BN has adopted a new Equality and Diversity policy setting out how the organisation will make sure it operates in a way that treats everybody equally and avoids discrimination.  We are grateful to John Gelder, the Volunteering Officer, who has been leading on this project for all his hard work and advice on the new document. Find the policy in the website downloads section.
An online Global Naturist Forum
With the success of BN’s online events during the pandemic year, we took the initiative to propose and host an ambitious online conference with global reach.  Bringing in speakers including the presidents of the INF and of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), this pioneering event was aimed at bringing together the international Naturist community. It was a lot of - satisfying - work. 
The BN shop reopens
You will have seen elsewhere in this issue that the BN shop is open once again.  The use of “print-on-demand” suppliers to provide goods for the shop mean we can offer an expanded range of BN-branded goods and we are looking to extend it still further early in 2021.    Huge thanks go to Jon Williams and Mark Walsh for all their work on making the new shop a reality and making it easy for everyone to purchase items.
And finally: your BN needs YOU!
We are an active and ambitious organisation, and we have fantastic volunteers around the country.  But we currently have two vacancies on the Board, and that’s not sustainable if we want to deliver great things for BN members.
We are keen to recruit new people to the EC and the Board of Directors.  We know that many members have the skills to help and would wish the organisation well.  Please think about whether you might be able to offer something.  Since, after all, you have reached the last paragraph of this article it’s clear you’re interested in how the organisation is run!
If you think you have something to offer and would like to be involved in helping look after the future of Naturism in Britain, please do come forward.  Any member of the EC would be happy to speak to you.

BN226 - Winter 2020

The Winter issue of our members magazine is now out and it’s full of great things!

You’ll find features on:
A family summer at British Naturism Sunfolk How British Naturism successfully keeps the profile of Naturism high in the media Naturist walking - and how you could become a volunteer walk leader An article originally published in ‘Hertfordshire Life’ magazine about Spielplatz The relaunch of the British Naturism shop An update from our youth group, Young British Naturism The work being done behind-the-scenes by the British Naturism management Our Campaigns, including Women in Naturism, Just One Person, the Great British Skinny Dip and our charity of the year, British Heart Foundation Reports of online events - and a few ‘actual’ ones France and Croatia in the travel section, with a round up of an unusual year from the UK’s Naturist Caravan and Camping club, Suntreckers a comprehensive directory of clubs, swims and contacts …and masses of news from the nude and not-so-nude world.
 
BN226 will soon be landing on the doormats of those who opt to receive it by post. Members of British Naturism can download the digital version now!
Our quarterly magazine is just one of the many benefits a BN membership provides, so if you’re not a member yet, why not make today the day you join us?
Check out all the amazing things British Naturism are doing! goodtimes.bn.org.uk

The Forum Live: Ask the Executive, a Q&A session

The post-AGM Q&A session that we held as a Forum Live event in October proved to be popular and useful and so we're going to make it a regular, roughly-quarterly arrangement. The next session will take the place of the usual 'The Forum Live' on Monday 14th December at 19:30.
The event is open to all British Naturism members and is expected to last an hour. Questions for the Directors and Executive Committee members on any relevant subject will be welcome. To help us manage the session and to provide the best possible answers we would welcome questions in advance, and we will take these first. Subject to time constraints we will take questions on the night as well.
If you have a question, please send it to headoffice@bn.org.uk
Book your place now...
 
Photo by Marius Oprea on Unsplash

It's Party Time...

In the run up to Christmas, at British Naturism we're already in the process of hanging up the glitter ball and  (not) dressing up for party nights and looking forward to our first naked disco on Saturday 12th followed by further party nights on 19th December, and New Year's Eve.
There will be two options that you can move between - strutting your stuff on the virtual dancefloor, or meeting others and chatting (away from the noise) in the breakout bar. 
We're also running a gathering on Christmas Day itself! What could be better than getting together with other Naturists on Christmas afternoon, especially if you find yourself spending the festive period on your own?
So, if you've got nothing on this Christmas, you'll find a warm welcome here...

Stay in with BN this weekend...

...so stay in and enjoy a packed weekend of British Naturism's online events!
Today (Friday) there's yoga this afternoon followed by the weekly Friday night, member-run virtual quiz night  which has now been added to the BN Community events listing. Lots of people have enjoyed meeting old friends and making new ones while testing out the grey matter. Come and find out what you have been missing...and then wend your way to the Bare Arms for the online pub night (BYOB).
On Saturday and Sunday our once-a-month sessions - Life-drawing and the Women Uncovered chat session take place, there are two further yoga classes, meditation and an extra aerobics session with Sheryn with proceeds going to our charity of the year British Heart Foundation.
British Naturism host over 20 online sessions each week... it's all happening and accessible from wherever you are, and you don't have to get dressed to enjoy any of them!

If you'd like to receive a weekly reminder of online events sign up here...
 
Photo by Stéphane Juban on Unsplash

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