News and Articles

The Great British Take Off - 16th May

The Great British Take Off - 16th May

I’ve got nothing on this Saturday, how about you?
The Great British Take Off on Saturday 16th May 2020 is an initiative from British Naturism (BN), the UK’s organisation for Naturism, Naturists and Naturist places which will see people all around the country stripping down to nothing to enjoy the liberated and exhilarating feeling that comes from being naked in the fresh air and sunshine. Science also tells us that it can make you happier!
Anecdotal evidence suggests that during the lockdown, people around the UK are a) dressing less, if at all, b) looking for things to do and c) in these unprecedented times, keen to throw out the rule book and try new things. The restrictions mean that people will be participating at home, but that's actually a wonderful place - what could be more relaxing than being naked in the comfort of your own space?
It's perfectly legal to do so. By all means tell the neighbours, but there is no need to warn them even if you are overlooked. So long as you are not revealing yourself with the intention of upsetting people, it's fine. Check out this helpful article on naked sunbathing in your garden.
It's also for Charity. BN are supporting British Heart Foundation in 2020 and you can be sponsored to 'Take Off' or make a donation. Maybe this will help you if you are taking that first nude step outside, or to encourage people to join in with you.
We're also hosting a special 'Pimms on the lawn' online event during the afternoon for all participants to come together from Cardiff to Colchester, Plymouth to Pitlochry and everywhere in between.
A BN spokesman said:
'People have always enjoyed the thrill of a skinny dip or the relaxation of a spa but social isolation has caused an explosion in naked living. For many, working from home means working naked, and nude sunbathing seems to be the new national pastime. Naturists know that it's only social convention that makes wearing clothes seem essential but people who try it for the first time realise that it feels great. Human beings weren't designed to be wrapped up in clothes 24/7 and yet that's often how we are even when it's more sensible not to be. It's easier not to dress, it saves on the laundry - and it's really good for you and a lot of fun! This could be the perfect opportunity for those that like the idea, or those who live with a Naturist partner but have been hesitant, to have a go. You'll wish you had done it years ago!
Business has been booming at BN with a 100% increase in new members since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis. Our programme of online events has been welcoming guests from around the world'
 
Further links:
British Naturism home page
British Naturism online events page
British Naturism events website
Inspiring Naturist stories:
Fabulous at 50
My 6 reasons to be naked
7 reasons why you deserve to hang out naked in your own home
A perspective on body image
A personal journey
From Hatred to Love in 8 short weeks
Why 7 days without clothes was so worth it
 
Further information plus press contacts and images from andrew.welch@bn.org.uk 

Keep even busier with BN!

Keep even busier with BN!

We're having a super time at British Naturism and hope that you are enjoying it too. Our programme of online events keeps growing and we're getting great feedback about the events we've hosted.
Last Saturday's tutored Life Drawing class was a wow and the results show what a talented bunch we are. Members can see some of them in the forum gallery. 
 
We've added three new events which we want to bring to your attention. Find the details including how to book over on our online events page.
Thursday 7 May 2pm - Join BN Member Kyle, aka Boy M5, for an hour of live acoustic music over an afternoon cuppa
Saturday 9 May 3pm - Be part of an utterly bonkers, glittery and sparkly online drumming festival!
Tuesday 12 May 4pm - hear BN Member Jooles talk about taking on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Rowing Challenge...
 
BN members can join in the chat about them and all the other online events on the forum and have a look here if you need more inspiration on what you can do with BN these days...
 
 

From the archive: My six reasons to be naked

From the archive: My six reasons to be naked

A super article by Sheryn, from May 2018, but the truth is timeless...
Talking to a gym buddy the other week, she asked me where I go to swim and I told her it was at the Naturist Club in our village. She looked at me with amused interest whilst inadvertently covering her clothed chest with both arms in a protective way. This is often the reaction I see when telling another woman. It is as though she believes the very mention of naked swimming makes her clothes see-through and indicates an instinctive vulnerability. Many say, ‘I couldn’t do that’.  
I understand for many Naturists that just ‘being naked’ is what they crave, and to do everyday activities in the nude. I don’t feel that need - for me clothes can be preferable on many occasions. The reason I choose the clothes-free option to swim and do other activities is because it makes sense. I hope that looking at it from this perspective may help others outside who struggle with their own nakedness to see that there are sensible reasons not to wear clothes on occasion, reasons that seem to have been forgotten by the clothed community in this country.
Comfort
You don’t know until you try. All my childhood and adult life until these latter years I struggled with tight uncomfortable swimming costumes. Some are even padded which is odd when you think about what a ‘swimming’ costume is for, and they are often uncomfortable when being dragged by water or when sitting in a sauna.  Being in a sauna means sweat, lots of it, all being soaked up in that tight clingy cloth and padding! It is far more comfortable and sensible to get back to basics, and not put that costume on in the first place.
Cleanliness
We all know that viruses, yeast, and bacteria love to live in warm, moist places. Keeping on a wet costume means it’s rubbing up against all the bits you have covered and can lead to infections. You may notice when abroad that some people seem to wear costumes as all round clothing options; going from beach, to the pool and drying in the sun, then slipping on a sarong or shorts over it to go to lunch or the shops, picking up everything in the atmosphere along the way and then back down to that costume for another dip in the pool later…. let’s not stop to think too much about what is then being dragged through the water alongside thebodies! For us, we take the clothes off, have a quick douse before slipping in the water to swim - and into cleaner pools because of it.
Cost
I know I am really lucky to have a Naturist club near to me, but when I sat down and worked the finance out, I realised my membership of the club, where I generally swim twice a week, works out far cheaper than swimming in the local public pool. It really is what some would term as a ‘no brainer’.
Space
When on holiday at a Spanish Naturist resort recently we wandered from ‘our’ beach to another on the ‘clothed side’. It was a sunny weekend admittedly, but that beach was packed and noisy.  You could not put a pin between people and sunbeds and all their ‘stuff’. I could not wait to retreat to the tranquility, back to the more comfortable side where I could reach out and touch the space, feel the calm, hear the sea and breathe in the experience.
Ambience
Not only do we benefit from space, but also from that lovely relaxed atmosphere that envelopes us at our chosen resorts, beaches, clubs. There is usually a physical natural beauty combined with the sense of well-being that seems to surround us in these environments. It is as though we have found the complete escape from the stresses of everyday life. 
Safety
This one comes as a double whammy.  
Personal safety - I can be stark naked around stark naked men and women and I have never felt safer in my life. The community is respectful and considerate. When everything is laid bare, there is nowhere to hide. That brings a sense of comfort and even freedom. It does seem surprising really. Why would being naked make you feel safe? I think it is because in a naked state everyone is equal and no one appears dominant or threatening. You could also say everyone is equally vulnerable. Whichever way you look at it, it leads to a safer place to be.
Security - I am far more easygoing when mixing within the community about belongings. Perhaps it is because we mix freely, talk to each other and feel comfortable with each other, but I certainly never worry that anything will go missing. Quite the opposite, people look out for each other. Obviously ‘no pockets’ means there is nowhere for anything to be hidden! Whatever the reason, I do not worry about theft or about my belongings when I am within the community, which I certainly do when I am away from it.  
 
‘You are brave’ my friend said, ‘I still couldn't do it’.  ‘Not brave’ I said, ‘it really is just better.’ I hadn’t mentioned the ‘Naturist’ word once. My friend may not choose to try a naked dip, but at least she understands why I do. You don’t need to use the often misunderstood ‘Naturist’ label when common sense and a logical, sensible approach speaks for itself. 
Sheryn
 
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash

Your naked weekend starts here...!

Your naked weekend starts here...!

For those of you who are losing the ability to remember what day it is...it's Friday.
And for those of you who are losing their desire to get dressed at all during these crazy times, there's loads of activities to keep you from being bored...
Friday - there's naked yoga this afternoon and a member-led quiz* tonight before the Naked Pub opens its doors again
Saturday - is World Naked Gardening Day, so take the opportunity to get those essential jobs done wearing sturdy boots, thornproof gloves...and nothing else. Grab a pencil and join our first online Life Drawing class before getting your blood pumping with a naked aerobics session...
Sunday - plenty of time today to chill - and book all your online classes for next week and beyond, before setting down to another yoga session in the evening...
 
* Quiz details here - log in required

 

What people are saying about us...

What people are saying about us...

Up to now, we’ve done all the talking about our online event programme. It's time we let our guests speak up instead...
Find the details of the events here, and get booking!
 
Naked Yoga with Georgia
Just completed my first Naked Yoga session with Georgia - it was fabulous fun and harder work than I thought! Loved it - want to take part every week now!
Planning ahead and being greedy I hope these online classes continue after the lockdown. Really enjoying the Yoga and feeling the benefits already. I keep saying this but. Thank you very much Georgia and BN  for this.
Another excellent Yoga class. I found that one a lot tougher than last Sunday, which was good. Really liking Georgia's simple explanations and manageable routines, with more challenging options available to push yourself a bit further.
I love the fact that she encourages us to rest when we need to and gives alternatives to the moves,  to either simplify them or make them more intense. 
Aerobics
Massive thanks to Sheryn for the aerobics session. Apologies for showing my almost total lack of coordination but I felt I was getting better towards the end of the session (it may not have looked like that). 
Well, that set me up for tea and thanks for permission to have an evening drink! I will definitely have to work on the co-ordination. Have also booked until the end of May.
We would just like to add our thanks Sheryn to all the others. Thanks for a great session. We are looking forward to the next one.
We're so loving the online initiatives - thank you Sheryn for a great class.  We'll be back for more!
Naked Kitchen with Pam
Thank you, another great event and I’ve a tasty cheesecake in the fridge. can’t wait to try it.
Fitness (for non-fitties)
Thanks Roy for another good session today - muscles getting less stiff each session! Looking forward to Thursday.
Another great exercise session, Roy! Many thanks for doing it and to BN for holding it.
Really good workout. Thanks Roy. Wow, that was challenging but I really enjoyed it.
Naked Laughter Yoga 
Thank you - tonight’s laughter yoga session was so much fun. It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this and I’m  definitely going to do it again.
Meditation
Wow Drum meditation was a delight. Took me to wonderful place away from this dark place. left me quite emotional. Really want to explore this more, looking forward to the next session.
Pub chat
Hey, thanks for the great pub evening! It was great to meet so many people. Haven't been able to have a good chin wag for a while now.
Thanks for a lovely pub evening everyone - really good chat and the all the best people.
I really enjoyed our first night in the pub. It was a great venue and really ended the night off well. 
It was lovely to see some friends and to meet new people who i'm sure will become friends too
Coffee morning chat
It certainly does get varied. The topics I was involved in included photography, cleaning, Extinction Rebellion and modelling. 
Joined my first coffee shop chatter this morning and really pleased I did . Met and chatted to many people I had never seen before . We had varied discussions from the weather, what we are doing during lock down, how we got involved with BN.
Just spent another wonderful hour chatting to some very nice and interesting people. Thank you. 
See you all next week.
Discussion with Andrew
Watched the Zoom online debate this evening with Dr Keon West. I found it very interesting and full of positive things in terms of Naturism.
 

Take Two: Interviewing Stéphane Deschênes

Take Two: Interviewing Stéphane Deschênes

A blip in the space-time continuum on Monday night caused our planned session to be postponed but I'm delighted to announce that Stéphane Deschênes will be my guest next Monday evening (4th May 2020).
Apologies to those of you who logged on and were disappointed. I heard many good comments from attendees about the interesting discussion on First-time Naturist experiences. 
So, to Monday 4th - 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 has no shortage of applicants.
Please join me at 7:30 BST (GMT +1) for what promises to be a fascinating session. 
Book your place for this session and all the other BN online events at https://www.bnevents.co.uk/onlineevents.
 

 

It's #Work Naked Wednesday...

It's #Work Naked Wednesday...

Another week passes - a pretty amazing week for British Naturism with another huge increase in new members, ex-members returning and guests from overseas joining our online events.
Hosts of all those events have been working naked and none more so than Pam who added to her national newspaper fame last week with radio interviews and yesterday, a TV show.
#WorkNakedWednesday has also gone global with people around the world stripping off as they toil. We were delighted to see this tweet from our friends at AANR West 
We also remembered this excellent article about spending time at home without clothes, what to expect and why you will thank yourself for doing it!
If you are having a great time with #WorkNakedWednesday and want to record it, do send in your photos...

I want the world to know...

I want the world to know...

Discovering Naturism is often a turning point in people's lives. New Naturists tell us all the time how great they feel, how they now can't imagine life without the opportunity to be happily naked and be part of such a strong, welcoming, non-judgemental community. 
It's all good...but when it comes to talking about it to others we suddenly get shy and hesitant, worrying about what people will say and what they will think of us. It's not surprising. Decades of social conditioning has made most people believe that there is something wrong with simple human nudity and that anyone who wants to be naked - let alone naked with other naked people - is weird, provocative, perhaps even dangerous.
We've been encouraging people to get over those fears with our campaign to tell 'Just One Person'. Don't 'come out' to everyone you know in one go if that doesn't feel right, just pick someone that you can talk to - a friend, a member of your family, a neighbour, a work colleague - and tell them what you like to do on a hot afternoon. 
It's working really well. Most people are finding it not only liberating that they finally don't have to keep something they feel so good about to themselves, and getting surprisingly positive reactions. Sometimes they find the people they are telling enjoy being clothes-free too! 
BN members can post their experiences on the members' forum (log in required) and thus encourage others. Success breeds success.  
 
Here's a few of the recent forum posts:
We have a footpath across a field by our back fence which I hadn't seen used for years.  Since lockdown a few local dog walkers have started to use it and seen me in my back garden doing the gardening naked. No adverse comments, just polite conversations over the fence. I think most people are fairly tolerant of naturism.
 
I have been using Twitter for many years but had only, in the last year, decided to start following some of the more well-known naturist Twitter users - our naturism is not something we particularly broadcast.  This didn't seem to cause any reaction so I have now started to "like" posts that I found interesting which prompted a query from my brother as to why I was liking tweets from a "naked woman in Florida.” It will be interesting to see where this line of family conversation leads.
 
Whilst staying with a couple of friends at the weekend the conversation got round to our new camper van and where were we going to go with it. So we talked about plans to go to Acorns, Nudefest and a number of different naturist campsites across France. One of the ladies was extremely interested in the naturism, asking a lot of questions, all in a positive way and seemed quite keen. 
 
I attended a photography event and took the opportunity to wear a T-shirt that both displayed the new "British Naturism" logo and promoted the BHF Naked Heart Walk. Promoting our activities led to some very positive conversations and enthusiasm for what British Naturism is currently doing. One person I spoke to used to work as a life guard at Alton Towers many moons ago and spoke enthusiastically about what great guests we are compared to other patrons. In his words, they could have given us the keys and gone to the pub, we were such trustworthy guests. 
 
I accidentally left my BN membership card in my car when it went in for a service.  I got the knowing look from the lads but one plucked up courage to ask me about it and is interested in attending a swim with his partner. It is amazing how a simple action can spread the word without any effort. 
 
During the excellent BN Bournemouth weekend we went to a local gallery. The twenty-something sales girl asked us what we were doing in Bournemouth. So we told her we were there for a weekend of naked dining and dancing to live bands. Her reaction, 'that sounds really cool!'.  
 
This week I sat down with another work colleague and told them about being a naturist. Again they were very positive about it, asked lots of questions and left with a BN 2020 guide. They then thanked me the following day for telling them all about it. I'll be ordering some more guides as I only have a couple left now.
 
I keep BN flyers in my car and give them to anyone who shows interest whist I am at trade fairs selling guitar stuff, and sometimes wear a BN T-shirt. The T-shirt is a conversation starter. "What does BN stand for?". That's what might be called a segue…
 
We were having the flat roof at home re covered today. The builders weren't here for long before they discovered a naked man lives here and it wasn't long before they were talking to me and treating me the same way they would if I was dressed.
 
I told The Ramblers when I answered their request to advise them why I engaged with their ‘Don’t lose your way’ campaign action to identify all paths across every grid square in England and Wales. I gave three reasons: Government threat to make trespass a criminal offence, towpaths and other industrial paths, and quiet paths that are mostly used by Naturists. 
 
Just emailed the company HR director agreeing to be furloughed from the middle of April. Amongst the positives I highlighted in not having to go into work for the next two and a half months was to tell her that the washing machine wasn't going to get a lot of use as I was at least looking forward to spending most if not all of the time in the nude! Later, I made an expenses claim and had a similar conversation with a woman in the finance department. Her reply? ‘Me too!' I find clothing so restrictive! 
 
I belong to a ramblers’ group and was leading a walk recently when I said to another person in the group how much I enjoy naturism. They told me one of our fellow walkers that day was also a naturist. I spoke to her and we had a very pleasant conversation about our wonderful world. I am so delighted that at last someone in my circle of friends and acquaintances shares my passion!

New events for our online community

New events for our online community

There are now an amazing number of regular online events available from British Naturism. There's something every day. They're proving extremely popular and helping people to cope through the lockdown. There's huge variety - yoga, fitness, meditation, discussion, interviews (including this one with world-renowned Naturist Stéphane Deschênes tonight), coffee mornings, pub nights, and bake-along demos. Some of our members have also organised dinner parties and quizzes. The best bit is the strong, cohesive community of Naturists coming together to enjoy them. That's been seriously enhanced by our many visitors from overseas. The event programme is also hitting the news headlines!
...and we're not done yet. We're working away in the background on some others too and we'll bring you details as soon as we can. What we can announce is - NEW this week - is a Life Drawing session on Saturday 2nd May.
We've certainly seen an increase in new members since we launched the online sessions and we're delighted to welcome back many members from the past who have rejoined to be able to take part. If that's you - thanks! Please do tell your friends what they are missing - even the non-Naturist ones! 
 
Image: Mark Bass

From the archive: Science proves Naturism is good for you

From the archive: Science proves Naturism is good for you

From February 2017 - but, of course, timeless! Further research has since been carried out. We look forward to bringing you the results!
 
It's what we've been saying for years!
Brilliant new research shows that Naturism boosts self-esteem, happiness and life satisfaction.
Here's an article from the Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4156788/Being-naked-makes-happier-bodies.html
...and the research paper itself http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-017-9846-1
... and a video made by the researcher.
 
Picture credit: Sskips

The world Zooms…but BN grabs the headlines

The world Zooms…but BN grabs the headlines

It’s been quite a few days for the promotion of Naturism in the media and the activities of British Naturism and some its members has been at the forefront of it.
Ok, so there isn’t a huge amount of news around at the moment and the media are looking for ways to divert and entertain their readers, but all the same, it’s great they choose to focus on the nude world.
The two main items were Pam Fraser’s interview published and lavishly illustrated in The Sun in which she promoted her role and that of others in our new online event programme. 
And if that weren’t high profile enough the following day the significant increase we’ve seen in new members joining us since the start of the lockdown was front page news - literally - in the Daily Star.
There have also been positive and supportive reports on a nude Atlantic rowing team, a naked cyclist, a naked man drumming in the street, Amanda Holden stripping off and trampolining and more. There’s also more to come as the newspaper articles have led - as they always do - to requests for radio interviews from British Naturism.
Members can visit the Nudity Reported in the Media topic on the BN forum and find links to these and many more (log in required).  It’s a great way to keep up with what’s happening when you’ve nothing on!
 

The Forum Live: Interviewing Stéphane Deschênes

The Forum Live: Interviewing Stéphane Deschênes

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 has no shortage of applicants.
Please join me at 7:30 BST (GMT +1) for what promises to be a fascinating session. 
Book your place for this session and all the other BN online events at https://www.bnevents.co.uk/onlineevents.
 

 
 

It's #WorkNakedWednesday again!

It's #WorkNakedWednesday again!

Yes, we know you've all given up on wearing clothes right now, but just in case you haven't, or know someone who might need a nudge, here's our weekly initiative to help you...
Don't forget that it's perfectly legal to be naked in the UK and very clear because of work that British Naturism volunteers have carried out.
Here's a reminder of what it's all about:
Give your birthday suit an airing 
We've all got a body under our clothes - it's nothing to be ashamed of. You're probably not bothering to get fully dressed, if at all, these days, so if you've never tried it, take that extra step today. 
Strip into something more comfortable 
You'll be joining millions of people around the world who have already discovered the exhilarating freedom that comes with being naked and who have also found that their self-esteem increases as a result. This survey showed how being naked can make you happier.
See more of your friends (online, at least - but you can also pave the way for the future...)
Spread the word - see how your friends and colleagues feel about adopting #worknakedwednesday with you...a top reason why people get involved in Naturism is the social context and the welcoming, vibrant, happy and healthy community it creates. Feel free to post about it on social media #worknakedwednesday.
If you are having a great time with #WorkNakedWednesday and want to record it, do send in your photos...thanks to everyone who has already done that...here's a couple of them for you.

 

Looking to the future

Looking to the future

Our online event programme is winning lots of friends - including new members and Naturists from outside the UK - it's wonderful to see. It seems we've hit on something and it's highly probable that they will continue when we are all granted our freedoms again. We're always working on the programme and so you will see new events added as time goes by. Find the full list on our events website and make sure you book your place! There is no limit to how many you can sign up for and we're booking many weeks into the future...
Will Naturism change as a result of the lockdown? Will people realise there are far more serious issues to rail against than a person's sensible, rational decision not to wear clothes? Our discussion session tonight is entitled 'The Future of Naturism'. We look forward to hearing your views.
 
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

British Naturism Member Makes Headlines by Rowing the Atlantic

British Naturism Member Makes Headlines by Rowing the Atlantic

Yet again our members are making waves with the media, quite literally in this case.
Julie Paillin, features in The Sun today for facing the severe endurance challenge of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean.  Julie is part of a team of four taking part in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge.  The team will be the first mixed quad to row the ocean and are doing so to raise money for several charities.
The original aim was to raise money for Blood Bikes: “East Midlands Free Wheelers”, “Devon Blood Bikes”, and “Wessex Blood Runners”.  However, the team have added a fourth group, “Duty to Care”, an organisation that provides online mental health support to healthcare professionals, the type of work that is absolutely crucial right now, while the NHS faces such demands.
Like many of these endurance challenges, the team will be doing much of the rowing nude to reduce friction.  As a naturist, this is of course second nature to Julie, who many of you will have already met.  For those who haven't, she hopes to be at more of our events as soon as they reopen.
To read more about the team, including how to contribute to the cause, go to Force Genesis or read the full article in The Sun.

Seven reasons why you deserve to hang out naked...

Seven reasons why you deserve to hang out naked...

Here's an article from the USA ('hang out' probably gave it away already) and it's one of the best we've seen. No oh-so-amusing comments about nudity, no playing to the gallery for laughs from readers, no wide-eyed sensationalism about crazy people going without clothes - just a thoroughly sensible piece from someone who clearly thinks like us. Naked at home? Of course! What's the big deal?
Seven reasons why you deserve to hang out naked
Look out for news coming soon from British Naturism about an event in the next few weeks where you can really celebrate home and garden nudity..
 
.
Picture credit: Naturist Fitness Girl on Instagram

The French Connection

The French Connection

I always thought that France was one of the better pro-naturist countries. However, the French Naturist Federation has found itself citing BN and British Laws and attitudes to public nudity as being something to admire and they have raised concerns about legal developments in France.
They have started a petition and called for crowdfunding to help with their campaign. In February last year, a 22 year old man was sentenced to a year in prison for sunbathing naked on a beach in Carnac, in June a naturist was was fined €600 by Nimes Criminal court and the Paris World Naked Bike Ride in September was banned.
The problem seems to be a reinterpretation of “Article 222-32 of the Criminal Code on Sexual Exhibition" which states:
"The sexual exhibition imposed to the view of others in a public area shall be punished by one year's imprisonment and a fine of €15,000".
But this article was meant to replace an earlier one in an attempt to differentiate between simple nudity and an intent to cause alarm and distress. The French want formal legal guidelines similar to our own.
Read and sign the petition
 

 

The Naked Pub - and it's local to you!

The Naked Pub - and it's local to you!

Did you know there is a pub where all the customers are encouraged to be naked? In fact, on a Friday night, you'll actually find that they all happen to be Naturists as well. How cool is that? What a great crowd to be part of! Also, you'll never have to queue at the bar, nor be overcharged for your drinks and you're welcome to get refills whenever you like. I'd like to say that it's a place that is right up your street, but the best part is that you don't even have to go that far. 
Book your place now for our online pub chat session tonight and enjoy the company of like-minded people, from the comfort of your own home.  Invite your friends and family too...
Cheers!
Details on how to join the events will be found in the Members’ Area of the BN website All BN members have access to the Members' Area as part of your subscription. If you need help on how to access it, please have a look at these guides: 
https://www.bn.org.uk/quickstart and https://www.bn.org.uk/guides/not-logged-in/what-is-my-username-and-password-members-only-r10. 
Our online events are also open to INF members. 
If you are not a member, it is easy to join, access the forum and gain many more benefits. It costs less than £4 a month. Find out more at: 
https://www.bn.org.uk/membershipinfo and https://www.bn.org.uk/guides/memberships. 
 

 

Let me paint you while we've got nothing on...

Let me paint you while we've got nothing on...

Are you ever at loss wondering to what to do with your lockdown time? Well when Greenpoint resident Amanda Geller was laid off from her job as the wine steward (or “sommelier”) in a Manhattan restaurant, she quickly realised it was an ideal opportunity to spend more time with her lifelong passion - painting.
But not just still life in and around the home. No, Amanda, whose most recent art course was figure drawing, asked her friends to send her naked pictures of themselves which she then committed to canvas. The local community website found out and she agreed to an interview. She told Greenpointers.com:
“It started out as a joke when I asked my friends in a group chat if they wanted to ‘send me their nudes’ for me to paint, now, after five days ,I have had around 30 people send their pictures — some that I don’t even know.”
But many of her subjects were fellow hospitality workers who were also sitting round twiddling their thumbs due to the New York lock down.
“After the quarantine is over I plan to launch an online gallery showing and donate a portion of the proceeds to women in hospitality who have lost work due to the shutdown. Mostly the project is something fun during these crazy times that celebrates women and all types of beauty. A woman takes a nude when she is feeling sexy and awesome and I love capturing that in a piece of art that they can show off and feel good about themselves.”
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From the archive: Tell the Neighbours? Why?

From the archive: Tell the Neighbours? Why?

Here's an article from the Summer of 2018, but just as relevant now. Keep an eye out for our celebration of garden nakedness, to be announced soon!
 
Despite the news we announced a few weeks ago confirming that Naturism is perfectly lawful, a number of high-profile publications have come out during the heatwave with nonsense about nude sunbathing. It's misleading, irresponsible and - worst of all - based on a social media post from a year ago. Obviously a slow news week.
BN have since been courted by other media outlets (a nice one for example in The Guardian) and have taken the opportunity on behalf of all Naturists and wannabe Naturists (of whom there are many more in this hot weather seeing the complete sense of taking it all off so as to cool down) to put the record straight.
Being naked in a public place can only be a crime if the naked person undressed with the intention of causing alarm and distress. 
Are we clear on that? There is no need to 'warn' your neighbours that you are sunbathing naked (or even topless, as one article had it - we're in the 21st Century, did you know that?) in the same way that you wouldn't consider warning them about the wafting smells from your soon-to-be-lit BBQ, embarking on playing noisily with your kids or anticipating cheering loudly for all the street to hear when Harry Kane scores his seventh in Russia. 
Let's grow up. We're all naked underneath, in all our various shapes and sizes. It's only social convention that suggests certain body parts must always be covered up. It's right to challenge that, to reclaim our humanity and to realise that the world doesn't end if someone sees a nipple or backside when they didn't expect to. It's a wonderful feeling to be naked in the sunshine and fresh air. Try it, and you never know, the neighbours might decide to join you.
 
Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash
 

Tonight! An online event session Open to All!

Tonight! An online event session Open to All!

Our online event programme is proving very popular and we're seeing a huge number of people joining BN to be able to take part. Fantastic! It certainly eases the pain of lockdown if you can enjoy being part of a naked community.
Today we bring you four pieces of news...
1. One of our yoga sessions is Open to All. You don't need to be a BN member to participate. It's tonight at 20:30 (BST). Find out how to book your place.
2. The programme has been expanded to include MORE activities that you can take part in from anywhere in the world - choose from (or do them all...) social events - coffee morning and pub night; health and exercise - yoga, fitness and aerobics; debate and discussion and interviews; meditation; and a cook-along naked kitchen. Oh, and there's more in the pipeline...
3. All sessions are now open to (and free of charge) to members of the International Naturist Federation. 
4. We've launched a new booking system which will simplify the process of booking for sessions for participants and make it easier for us to remind you when your sessions are happening. You'll also be able to create an account and see all the sessions you've booked in once place. Visit our online event listing and get booking! Tell your friends too...

It's #WorkNakedWednesday!

It's #WorkNakedWednesday!

Don't the weeks fly by? It doesn't feel like a whole seven days since we decided to throw off our clothes and work naked. Perhaps that's because many of us - and not just Naturists - are spending a lot of our lockdown time undressed, especially if we are working from the comfort of our own home and taking advantage of this unseasonable April weather. And why not? Doesn't it make you feel great? 
There is no law in the country that tells anyone what they can and can't wear in any circumstances. British Naturism has been in the forefront of clarifying this simple fact with the police and other authorities, in the face of decades of social conditioning and Victorian values that have made people assume that public or social nakedness is wrong. In fact, it's the opposite, as there are many health and well-being benefits to spending time not being wrapped up in clothes. It's also liberating, improves body-image and is a lot of fun!
Let's tackle one big barrier to working naked: colleagues! British Naturism run a variety of events (well, under normal circumstances, we do) in venues like hotels and waterparks where the staff on duty remain clothed. Many of them say to us how they admire us and would like to join in but they wouldn't want to in front of their work-mates. We can get the same reaction from Naturist newbies who are nervous that they might meet someone at a Naturist gathering who they know. But one naked body is very like another when everyone is undressed and - as amazing as it sounds - you soon forget you are naked among other naked people. At our events, we're seeing a huge increase in friends booking together and people bringing members of their family. So, if you are in the workplace and want to embrace #WorkNakedWednesday, then go ahead and see who will join you.
Like so many things in society, what's deemed 'unusual' quickly becomes normal when it's seen, heard, and talked about. Taboos and stigma fade away when something becomes 'acceptable'. Let's make that happen to being nude...it's good for Every Body.
If you are having a great time with #WorkNakedWednesday and want to record it, do send in your photos...
 
 

BN speaks! A You Tube interview

BN speaks! A You Tube interview

It's easy to practice social distancing when you are in the UK and the interviewer is in Massachusetts...
Here's an interview I did recently for Jon Coleman, the force behind Apocatastasis - an Institute for the Humanities, talking about a wide variety of aspects of Naturism.
 
 
 
Photo by Lee Soo hyun on Unsplash

From the archive: Naked Beach

From the archive: Naked Beach

This article appeared on the BN website in April 2019. We didn't imagine that we'd add 'deathly viruses' to that list in paragraph 4. Tomorrow night's online discussion will be with Naked Beach's Dr Keon West. Incidentally, it appears that Naked Beach is still available to watch on All4...
 
We’re enjoying Channel 4’s Naked Beach programme. We recommend it if you’ve not seen it, especially if you are not (yet) part of the Naturist community in the UK. There are no spoilers in this article. 
Of course, it’s not a programme about Naturism but the subject goes to the heart of what we stand for. Spending time naked is good for everyone! 
Tall or short, large or small, oversized or undersized, lumpy, bumpy, blemished, scarred, stretched, disfigured - we’re all the same underneath - wonderfully human. 
With famine, drought, homelessness, war and persecution worldwide it seems a particularly first-world issue to be depressed about the way you look, but for the participants in the programme - filmed in a stunning location - it’s very real. Can the company of naked people help them overcome it?
Although the format is that of a reality TV show, with members of the public taking centre stage and carrying-out prescribed tasks, it’s done sensibly and sensitively. It’s fantastic how the chosen hosts are not the usual airbrushed (and sometimes air-headed) wannabe celebrities who front such shows.
The programme makers were inspired by the survey in this story. Some members of British Naturism were involved in the studies and the show’s Dr Keon West has been a guest speaker at our events. Great to see the experiment taken to a wider audience.
Natasha Devon MBE, who co-hosts the programme with Dr Keon also published this excellent article on body image and we stand bare shoulder to shoulder with her in her views.
If you’ve been inspired by Naked Beach and want to get those great feelings for yourself, come and join us!

Updated: The Full Programme of BN Online events!

Updated: The Full Programme of BN Online events!

Hundreds of British Naturism members have enjoyed the first full week of our new programme of online events. We've also seen a sharp increase in new joiners wishing to become part of the community during the long lockdown hours - and to have something to entertain them or keep them fit.
We've been adding events all the time and are now delighted to bring you the full programme. There's something every day, from yoga and mediation, through fitness and exercise, to discussions and workshops. There's a special afternoon tea for Easter Sunday and a coffee morning or pub night, depending on your choice of beverage....please let your friends know what's happening and invite them to join in.
Details on how to join the events will be found in the Members’ Area of the BN website All BN members have access to the Members' Area as part of your subscription. If you need help on how to access it, please have a look at these guides: 
https://www.bn.org.uk/quickstart and https://www.bn.org.uk/guides/not-logged-in/what-is-my-username-and-password-members-only-r10. 
If you are not a member, it is easy to join, access the forum and gain many more benefits. It costs less than £4 a month. Find out more at: 
https://www.bn.org.uk/membershipinfo and https://www.bn.org.uk/guides/memberships.