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BN at the NEC

The British Naturism events team are back at Birmingham’s NEC this week at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show. Over the next few days we will hand out over 2000 copies of our ‘2020 guide to Naturism’ and make sure that Naturism is out in the open, educating and informing a parallel audience about the benefits of Naturism.
Our stand is in Hall 4 - on the main aisle linking the halls. Around us are various holiday companies, parks and resorts and its great to see we are not the only ones promoting Naturism. Popular holiday guide company Alan Rogers have their 106 page brochure on European resorts on sale,  and just a couple of stands down you can pick up the Naturisme.com brochure from the visit France booth.
Building on the success of the 2019 event... ‘It's great to be back’ says BN’s Event Manager Mark Walsh ‘ we now have so many events and festivals on offer with Freedom, Nudefest and NKD, the Camping & Caravan Show is a logical place to showcase our events’.

Looking Into the Future

The last decade has certainly been interesting for British Naturism.  We are a venerable organisation with a rich history, and over the last ten years we have been modernising to ensure we are relevant to naturists of today.  In 2018 we launched a short-term strategy to pick up the loose ends that had accumulated.  As a result of all the work, we now have a reputation for professionalism that brings respect from other organisations.  We have a strong and modern image.  We have a portfolio of activities from small to festival-sized in scale.  We have strength in depth in our team of campaigners who are working to promote naturism, both with the public and with the authorities.  As a consequence of the efforts, we are recruiting new members, expanding the organisation, and can look to new horizons.
 The strength of our current situation provides both the opportunity and obligation to think of the future.  Our strategies have tended to be 3-year plans, and the 2018 strategy mopped up even more urgent requirements.  But what is our 10-year plan, our 15-year plan, our 20-year plan?  We can’t have a tightly defined plan for what we will be doing in 20 years, because both personnel and circumstances will change.  But to truly succeed, we should have a vision for what we would like Naturism and British Naturism to look like in 20 years and then plan actions that will take us toward it.
 An often-discussed priority is the need for sustainable development as we think about our legacy.  The tenure of an Executive Committee member is normally only a few years, but as stewards we have a responsibility to think beyond that.  Financial security is clearly important, but the big challenges are ensuring that the recognition and participation in Naturism continues to grow.  The second major consideration when planning for the future is how we ensure we remain appealing in a world that is changing around us.
 With these ambitions in mind, we have convened working groups comprising Executive Committee members and other volunteers.  The working groups have been tasked with developing strategies to address three main areas.
 Overall Strategy
 All of our actions should have the aim of advancing our core values.  Once an Overall Strategy is in place, decisions on whether to take any particular action become simple, but without a strategy it is easy to pursue whatever is put in front of us in piecemeal fashion.  On the spot decision making is inefficient and in worst cases results in actions that contradict one another.  We are not in a bad place; we are already aware of the broad goals of British Naturism and have a good definition of Naturism:
"Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature characterised by the practice of
communal nudity with the intention of encouraging self-respect, respect for others and
for the environment".
Defining our strategy will build on the good things we have.
 To structure our thinking, the strategy will have several layers.  At the top sits a Vision Statement; a vision of what we believe Naturism and British Naturism should look like in 10 and 20 years.  Beneath that is a Mission Statement, defining the broad actions that will fulfil the Vision.  At the base lie the planned actions to define specific activities that will achieve the Mission.  Those actions will be SMART; specific, measurable, attainable, resourced and time-bound, to make sure they move forward.  We would expect the actions to change over time as they are completed and new ones added, but the Mission and particularly the Vision should remain largely unchanged as it represents our guiding ethos.
 There are some important considerations.  First is that this should be the strategy of British Naturism, not just a handful of EC, and this is where recent activity comes into play.  The forum provides a mechanism for members to share their views, so thoughts that have been raised in the many online discussions are having a major impact on our thinking.  The Vision Days have provided a much more dynamic opportunity for members to express and discuss their opinions, and those contributions will also be incorporated.  Second, the fact that the Vision should largely stand for the next 20 years means that it should not be a major deviation from what we know, we are not attempting to re-write the purpose of British Naturism.  This aspect has been very pleasing; working group members have independently written their own visions, which were then compared with versions in previous strategies and discussions.  The good news is that when the various sources were compiled, they were very similar, giving great encouragement that the Vision will appeal to everybody and stand the test of time.  This is just the beginning, work on the Overall Strategy will continue and should make us a much more effective and efficient organisation over time.
 The Relationship of Clubs and British Naturism
 Naturist clubs are the foundation of British Naturism, it is they who founded CCBN.  Today, clubs are not the integral part of British Naturism that they once were and, indeed, many club members no longer choose to join British Naturism.  This is a shame.  We should be proud of our history; the longevity of organised Naturism in the UK is a powerful weapon in our campaigning arsenal and many members do enjoy the community they find within clubs.  At the same time there are problems.  While some clubs flourish, some very old clubs are struggling to survive and we risk losing the considerable potential they hold.  Members of British Naturism can often feel frustrated that clubs are not accessible enough and have not changed as the world has.  This last point is important, society has and is changing, we are more of a service society, willing to pay for use of facilities rather than maintain them ourselves.  The relationship between clubs and British Naturism is very delicate to manage because unlike Overall Strategy, opinions differ wildly on what should be done.  We need to support clubs centrally, so they thrive, whilst helping them to engage with more people for mutual benefit.  There will be ways that everybody will gain, and we are committed to finding some of those.
 Policies & Procedures
 This certainly sounds the least exciting strategic item but has value in that it underpins everything else.  If the Executive Committee need to convene to discuss every action that we take, the organisation moves very slowly and struggles to react to threats or grasp opportunities.  Having clear procedures for most common activities will make British Naturism far more professional, efficient and effective, and allow us to focus effort where it is most needed.  The even greater opportunity regards succession planning and opportunities for people to become involved.  Although we often discuss the need for more volunteers, it is often unclear what the tasks are so volunteers do not make as much impact as they could.  We often have great people putting themselves forward and struggle to find ways to use their full potential.  Effective volunteering means identifying the key tasks and then finding the best person to do them.  This is particularly true at the higher levels of leadership, we have gaps in both the Directors and the Executive Committee.  I have only been on the EC for a couple of years but have found it hugely rewarding and challenging in a fascinating manner.  Better definition of roles, what tasks involve and where people can make a difference will help skilled members make a significant contribution.  If you are thinking you would like to be involved, now is the time.  The applications for Director positions are now open and opportunities to become involved in the EC are open year round, just let us know you are interested.
 With that I will sign off.  British Naturism is in a great position, and because of that we can be stronger still.  So here’s to the future!
Mark Bass
President

Dastardly Murder in the East(ern Region)

A cautionary tale by Andy Wyman
It was a cold, bitter night and felt as if the Arctic Circle had moved South. The streets were empty and people sensed something was going to happen. The locals were all at home, doors locked and bolted, security cameras scanning and dogs unsettled. Abingdon was no place for the faint hearted on a normal Saturday night. But this was no normal Saturday night. Even the pubs stood quiet and when I entered the Broad Face Pub the landlord stared straight at me. It was a look that said, “Why us? We don't want trouble.”
But trouble was written all over me and he knew it. As I looked around the solitary customer slipped away through a back entrance.
“Scotch, neat and make it a double,” I said. “ No make it a treble. And I need information. I'm looking for Annie's Place.”
He gestured to a place you could see through the window. A large building standing next to the Thames. The river looked bleak and just about ready to freeze over. I downed the drink and made my way over. Huddled outside the entrance to Annie's was a small group and within minutes there were about fifty more. The door opened and we all went inside. I was asked if I was a member and I mumbled yes. The group all seemed to know each other and then it happened. One by one they all started to undress. I think the leader of the group, a moll named Sandra, had given the signal. I joined in reluctantly and straight away I noticed that none of them were carrying. Except two, who later I found were called El Presidente (aka Mark the Bass) and Andy the Snapper. And they were carrying Canons... but the kind that only cause reputational damage. Sandra spoke again and seemed to refer to the group as the BN gang. Then the room went silent as the oddest looking six hombres entered. They were known and feared throughout Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds as the Oxford Imps and the bulges under their jackets showed they certainly were carrying and nothing to do with being pleased to see us. There was no way this lot were going to be undressing and we were sat naked and vulnerable.
Their leader, a nasty looking guy, came straight out with it. “There's gonna be one less punk in this room tonight.” I've been around the gang scene for years but even I felt a shiver down my spine. These guys mean business. The leader looked up meaningfully at a sofa that had been winched up high above the crowd.
At that point Sandra sat and the BN gang followed her lead. I looked down at the table in front of me and there was a sight to spook anyone. It was a placemat with two feet drawn on it. Attached to one of the big toes was a medical tag...... and it had my name on it. The lights went out and there was a loud crash and scream. When the light returned the sofa had fallen and a guy who I later found was called Clark was crushed horribly underneath with his legs turned at an unnatural angle.
The room fell silent and then the gang leader taunted us. “You guys just relax now and eat your Moroccan style 3 course meal and we're going to come round to your tables for a …..... little chat.”
They were clearly trying to intimidate us with their calm “who cares” attitude. Nasty characters such as Wilfred Copperbottom, who laughingly claimed to be some sort of bean magnate and Davis the androgynous butler came round and actually invited us to question their motives. They all claimed their innocence, none more so than an odd chap called Jasper. There was also an artist and a musician. At the end of the meal Mr Big, the leader, scoffingly invited us to write down our thoughts as to who killed Clark and why. We had heard stories during the evening of changed wills, secret affairs and scorned lovers but I was none the wiser. But I'd survived the evening after infiltrating two of Britain's most notorious gangs.
Sandra, the BN gang leader, then told us that the violence would not end. She said they had organised what she euphemistically called, naked dining events, trips on canal boats, a quiz night and a visit to a gin distillery. What sort of sick group choose to organise murders whilst socialising? I shuddered to think how poor souls will suffer at these. Unless of course I get my report back to Scotland Yard.
If you want to help infiltrate this gang you can check their activities on the secret BN website under the 'Events' tab.... but take care folks.
Oh, and by the way. It was Jasper who did it. At least that's what Mr Big said.
 
 
 

Still time to book for Blackpool…

BN are back in Blackpool for a three-night leap-year break from 28th February, returning to The Headlands Hotel and The Colwyn. The hotels are either end of the same crescent, only a 250m walk away from each other in South Shore - right next to the world famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Saturday night sees us at the famous Sandcastle waterpark - no costumes required!
Entertainment is based in The Headlands Hotel and will feature a good mix of lively entertainment, quizzes and more...
Book your tickets now
And to whet your appetite, here’s a report from last year…
For 2019, BN had expanded the event to match its growing popularity by adding a second hotel (both hotels were exclusively Naturist use for the weekend). The main hotel was the Headlands and Young British Naturists (YBN) had The Colwyn. The short distance between the two allowed everyone to come and go between all the activities, or for a change of scenery from the bright tropical theme in the Headlands bar. A fun-packed weekend was certain with the annual visit to The Sandcastle waterpark, live entertainment and the perennial favourites of naked yoga, bareobics and body painting.
The Colwyn had decided that Naturists must be always cold, so the heating matched the weekend theme: tropical! We found our rooms, turned off the heating, undressed, and joined the rest of YBN for dinner. A good group of us were present, including some friends of existing YBN members that had never been to a Naturist event. After dinner, we walked over to the Headlands. We played some pool and then sang along and danced to the live band.
Saturday morning was filled with a long walk passing an obese disco ball, a railway junction that is not named after one of The Beatles, and the vast expanse of sand that is St Anne's beach (partly Naturist). Storm Freya was making her approach, so the wind meant that only the most diehard of us stripped off. We saw many Christmas trees that are used for restoring the sands after corrosion. After lunch in a Weatherspoon’s, the YBN decided it had done quite enough walking for one day and took the train back to Blackpool and later to the spa at The Sandcastle. Saturday evening finished with a buffet at The Headlands and a Totally Tropical Party featuring The Pancake Steel Band.
Sunday started with naked yoga at the hotel but YBN spent the day at The Pleasure Beach. We spectated a serious game of nude bingo (oh, how I wanted to shout “two fat ladies”) and danced the night away with Kurtis Reid. Storm Freya blew us back to the Colwyn at a very late hour.
Monday morning came with tearful farewells and excitement for the next events in YBN’s calendar. Some of us had arrived as total strangers to the group, but left as part of a growing Naturist community that is intentional about normalising social nudity in a way that overcomes things like physical appearance and personal sense of image. For a newcomer, or somebody that has yet to experience Naturism, it can be easy to dream up a distorted nightmare that exaggerates the reality. Just take the plunge, don’t worry about how your family and friends might perceive you and the notion that nudity is inherently dirty. Come and enjoy the ride – join the community, get involved and we’ll see you at our next event.

Corsica - a rough hewn, sparkling gem

Corsica really does have something for everyone. There certainly was plenty for us - mountains and warm sea, ancient sites and rugged country, old villages and modernity lurking quietly in the background.
Our three-stop fortnight began at La Chiappa, east of Porto Vecchio in the south. The delightful freedom of finally throwing off clothes and our first swims in sparking warm sea after an early flight and the drive down from Bastia. La Chiappa has nearly everything for the two of us. We’d walk to the end of the two beaches and swim back, pick up fresh croissants and back to the tent for breakfast. The profusion of fish over the rocky bits of the shore, which stretched away south from a third, tiny beach, with a nature trail through the dry maquis scrub heath, rocks carved smooth and weird by the sea.  We quickly revised our our day in, day out plans to have another day in, so much to do here, just to be here, Naturists in nature.
We did venture out for the stone forest of Palaggiu and the other Megalithes de Cauria. Finding the 258 menhir site was tricky - a gateway entrance was blocked with stone rubble. The benefit - no-one else there and a real sense of the ancient, of mystery, of what on Earth was all this about?
Later that day, lying together naked under a palm tree on the edge of the beach as dusk settled, a band playing a great mix of traditional Corsican and well-known rock music, and slipping into the dark sea as the full moon rose and the clouds skipped away. Silvery air bubbles in the black water streaming from my fingertips, just the pair of us flowing in the water, on the edge of deep.
U Furu is a few kilometres west of Porto Vecchio, a quiet spot in the foothills with a lovely pool and bar area - so we doubled our eating-out budget for the homemade cooking and wonderful Corsican beer. The Furu river is even better, an astonishing trail of tumbling waterfalls and smoothed-rock pools, water sparkling and rocks glowing in the sunshine. Time vanished with the simplicity and rugged beauty, we bathed all day as babes in nature. We did venture away to Sartene, Propriano, the museum at Ste Lucie de Tallano but for our last day at U Furu, no question: up the river once more. This time I ventured barefoot right to the top of all of the pools and waterfalls with only swim goggles and swam back in every swimmable spot of water. 
If Riva Bella, halfway up the east coast, didn’t quite match these standards, that was hardly surprising. And that did help us to put on some clothes and get out and see a bit more of Corsica. We hiked up into the mountains at Col de Bavella where the GR20 footpath crosses the road - that one for another time. We swam at the far north at busy Barcaggio, emboldened by our now-normal nakedness to walk to Cap Corse’s northern most tip wearing only bikini and Speedos. Marvelled at the road here - narrow and plunging, clinging way high up the coast cliff, exhilaratingly slow and not for the faint hearted! The citadel at Bastia not quite matching the astonishing cliff top belvedere at Bonifacio, with the limestone carved harbour far below. A final day around Corte, fabulous walking into dramatic mountain landscapes and a rather more cheeky skinny-dip than the easy naturism of U Furu. 
The stretch of sand at Riva Bella seemed to curve forever, north from the nature reserve and etangs of the campsite; I swam around the rocks at its end to the next eternal beach. Our little cabin here was fun after our small tent pitched among the trees. Early morning running along the sand, the calm of yoga poses towards a fresh-risen sun, then swims and fresh bread and coffee for breakfast. The half light of a last morning swim, the sun rising from the sea through crook of my arm front crawling back to land; skin salty fresh from Mediterranean seas as we journeyed home
Olly Watts

The Land of the Free (just don’t take your clothes off…)

A Utah woman has been charged under the State's “Lewdness Law” for baring her breasts in her own home and could face time in prison and 10 years on their sex offences register if she is found guilty.
Utahs 'Lewdness Law' states: 'A person is guilty of lewdness involving a child if the person…intentionally or knowingly does any of the following in the presence of a child who is under 14 years of age...exposes his or her genitals, the female breast below the top of the areola, the buttocks, the anus, or the pubic area either in a public place or in a private place under circumstances the person should know will likely cause affront or alarm or with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the actor or the child...'
The charges were brought against her by the mother of her stepchildren when she discovered that the stepmother and her husband had taken off their tops whilst dry lining their garage walls. The police said “Buchanan removed her shirt and bra in front of the children while 'under the influence of alcohol'. The husband was not charged.
British Naturists are flabbergasted by this outrageous denial of personal liberty that may well have come about due to an act of retribution by the children's mother. The case was reported in The Guardian and its clear that they were just as shocked as us. Their reporter, Arwa Mahdawi, wrote: 'Topless bans are just laws that treat female bodies like sex objects.'
Photo credit : Thanks to Donna and John for providing a photo that illustrates the story

Please forget your sports kit!

There were 500+ Naturists at BN’s big summer event Nudefest in 2019, and when day visitors, entertainers and suppliers are added the figure is closer to 700. Some of those day visitors came to the Thorney Lakes park in Somerset to compete in the Nudefest 5K - with a 10K option for those who complete the course twice - which grows more popular each year. We always welcome a healthy number of outsiders who are bored of pounding the same old pavements in the same old lycra…
It’s all done properly and with safety in mind - the course is plotted with a measuring wheel; there are water stops, first aid provision, accurate timings and even medals and certificates for all competitors. The route takes in farm land, crop fields, woodlands and the site’s idyllic fishing lakes. For those that are wondering…everyone wears running shoes and many of the women choose to wear a sports bra.
Eighty runners competed in 2019 with the winner of the 10K crossing the line in an impressive time of 41:48. Post-run, runners hit the showers but often don’t bother to get dressed and stay for the rest of the day at Nudefest, taking part in the activities.
Mark competed this year in his first nude run. It was his first time doing anything Naturist. He’d heard about it from a colleague at Almost Athletes in Cheltenham. Mark had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, something he found out about by accident, but wanting to celebrate having been clear for two years, loved it even though earlier in the day he thought of not coming. He then joined BN on the Monday. It was a first nude run for Mike too. He’s already a Naturist but to counter high blood pressure was advised to lose weight and he is now 12st, down from almost 16 and after the Nudefest run was feeling on top of the world!
Nudefest and the Nudefest 5K/10K will take place again in 2020. Why not come and be part of it...

BN Members Act to Challenge Cancellation of Naturist Swim in Alton

You may have seen coverage in the local and national press recently about the cancellation of the regular monthly Naturist swim in Alton, Hampshire. As you would expect, BN is working to support our local members and other swimmers who have been affected by this misguided action.
The Naturist swim in Alton ran successfully for over thirty years, regularly attracting swimmers from across the South of England on a Sunday evening. Unlike many Naturist swims, it was operated by the local leisure centre rather than as a ‘private’ event organised by a Naturist swimming club.  
Swimmers were advised in December that - as a result of the leisure centre relocating to a new, purpose-built facility - the Naturist swim would be cancelled and that the final swim in Alton would take place on 05 January 2020.
Well over thirty swimmers turned out to support this last swim.Amongst swimmers there was a feeling that they had not been consulted about the development of the new leisure centre, and that the reasons given for the cancellation of the swim represent a threat to other Naturist swims if not challenged. BN shares their concerns about both the way in which a long-established swim has been brought to an end and the reasons given for this action by the leisure centre management. We are proud to be supporting local BN members and others in their action to challenge and hopefully reverse this decision.
The reasons given by the leisure centre operator to justify the cancellation of the swim are focused on the large amount of glass surrounding the new pool, and the visibility this gives of the pool area from inside and outside of the building. In their view, the fact that Naturists could be seen using the pool justifies the cancellation of the swim. BN is deeply uncomfortable with this assessment. We know that public nudity is legal across the UK and there is no evidence that non-Naturists require ‘protection’ from people enjoying the many benefits of social nudity.
We also challenge the argument made by the leisure centre operator that the design of the new pool is consistent with Sport England design guidelines and that these would preclude Naturist use - in fact the guidelines refer specifically to the need too consider the needs of all users when designing new pools, and suggest that the needs of some users for more ‘privacy’ should be designed into new leisure centres.
We have been supporting the action taken by local BN members in Alton to challenge this misguided and discriminatory action. Local action has included writing to the local and national press, local councillors and MPs and attending the launch event for the new centre to express disappointment. This resulted in the promise of a follow-up meeting, chaired by the local council, to discuss why the swim was cancelled and what could be done to re-instate the swim or move it to an alternative venue.
BN will be fully involved to support these discussions, and have also raised the issue with both Sport England and Swim England (the Amateur Swimming Association) as inconsistent with their policies to encourage participation in sport and equal access for all members of the community.
Jon Williams
BN Campaigns Team
jon.williams@bn.org.uk

Life Drawing for Schools

Artists and art teachers have promoting the idea that schools should have regular life drawing classes with fully nude models. 
Anne Noble-Partridge said that life drawing in schools could teach children about real human bodies before their ideas become corrupted by the nonsense we see on social media. ‘You are accepting of whatever you are looking at, whether they are old, or overweight, or hairy. You introduce young people and children who haven't got ingrained prejudices, ideas of disgust, or appropriateness. When somebody takes their clothes off they are just human beings. It really gets rid of any prejudices as to what a body should look like. It's great for body positivity.’
There are no Government rules on life drawing in schools indeed a few schools already include it in their curriculum; nudity in the classroom is entirely down to the discretion of head teachers; a fact that delights the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT).
Sarah Hannafin, the union’s senior policy advisor told the Telegraph, 'Schools are best placed to make decisions about visitors coming into schools to enhance the curriculum and support pupils learning. Schools will have policies in place which would apply to any visitors to ensure pupils are safeguarded.
'Schools should have the freedom to determine the right curriculum to engage, inspire and motivate all pupils. Schools know their pupils best and so can consider their needs, age and stage of development when making these curriculum decisions.'
 

The BN Guide to 2020

Got a friend who wants to know more about BN? 
Want to show people in your club or who you meet on holiday why they should be joining us? 
Need a brochure to give to your local swimming pool to convince them to organise a skinny dip? 
Want to find out more about British Naturism’s activities?
Here’s the answer - BN’s NEW Guide to 2020, a full colour, fully illustrated promotional publication that has it all - a guide to British Naturism in 2020 including our events, our campaigns, our successes and bags of useful information for anyone that needs it. It’s our main publicity item for 2020 - use it as you would a flyer. 
We’re printing thousands of copies and we want everyone to use it to help us to open doors, recruit new members, change attitudes, educate, inform, inspire...so please order copies from the BN shop (they’re free...) or pick them up at events.
You can also view it online - and send the link to people.

Sue's Story

“Oh my goodness, there is a naked man coming towards us!” I looked towards my husband Philip and saw the biggest grin you can imagine. I can’t even blame him for turning up to our first naturist campsite, which happened to be the only one in Slovakia, as I had chosen it. I hadn’t realised until this point after 40 years of marriage, how much Philip had wanted to camp as a Naturist. So, as I wasn’t prepared to try to find another campsite, I bit the bullet and within 10 minutes I was walking naked in a beautiful location and passing other naked people who seemed so friendly and welcoming and doing what seemed perfectly natural to them. On our return journey back to the UK,  to cement my conversion, we stopped off at a large Naturist site in Germany where I found myself playing boule with a group of strangers all naked, which at first seemed so surreal. What was I doing?! But it was such fun and as an avid swimmer what could be better than swimming naked. I was hooked!
I did have one reservation which was that as a Christian I needed to be reassured that social nudity sat well with my faith. The concern was laid to rest when we went to The Gathering at Dunoon and I attended the Sunday inter-denomination service with a congregation of 20 plus. I soon realised that Naturism and Faith were very similar and both embraced values such as trust, respect and a sharing of kindred spirit.
That was two years ago and since then we decided to embark on a discovery of various different types of Naturist holidays including Fuerteventura, The Gathering at Dunoon, Nudefest  and stays at several clubs in the UK with our caravan.  We also wanted to experience Naturism in other parts of Europe, so last year with our caravan we went through Belgium, Germany, Austria and Croatia during May/ June and then France and Spain in September/October. This year we’ve explored more naturist campsites in France and Spain.
Our experiences have been enriching and along the way we have met so many interesting and like minded people, many of whom have become friends. There is an immediate connection with people. People look you in the eye and make you feel welcome and you feel you are part of a world wide community, often reconnecting with people from one year to another.
One question remained on our minds, ‘Who should we tell? We had avoided telling our children initially until we were certain this was a path we wanted to stick to, so within a year we broke the news to our children. Our daughter said that’s why she had body confidence because we had always been quite open at home and our son laughed and his partner who is German said she often went swimming naked in lakes. We began to tell friends and Philip enjoyed leaving the BN magazine out in the kitchen in full view. We have had various reactions but no negative remarks or expressions of shock. We have come to the conclusion that because there is nothing to be ashamed of we have become more and more vociferous about our new found life-style.
“Tell me one unusual thing you have done that no one else will know!” This was the information I had to give my tennis captain which would form a guessing game as part of our annual get together. I decided to be daring and my snippet was “I have walked 65k in the Spanish mountains naked.” No one guessed it was me, but everyone knew at the end of the quiz after I told my story! Believe or not I am still in the team and even get asked where we will be camping and walking on our next trip!
Becoming a naturist has been very liberating for me - I didn’t even go topless on beaches although was quite happy to go swimming naked as long as nobody else was looking! It just took a small leap of faith and being with men and women who were naked and like minded. I soon realised that you didn’t have to have the perfect body and that after a while you didn’t notice shape or size of others. The overriding wow factor is the feel of air or water on your body, which brings you closer to nature, the elements and connects you to kindred spirits.
Sue Percival

Domaine De La Gagère - in a heatwave!

All around as we drive are wind turbines and undulating fields interspersed with tiny quiet villages, and hardly any traffic on the road at all.  This particular Sunday morning we had taken the 35-minute Channel crossing via Eurotunnel and were heading to Domaine De La Gagere near Luzy. A beautiful sunny day greeted us across the Channel and music playing favourite songs in the car helped us along the 7.5 hour journey. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, near the Roman village of Autun the landscape changed to hills, trees and bushes with livestock, simply beautiful, it reminded me immediately of mid Wales but in very hot sunshine!  We took the clearly signposted route to Domaine De La Gagere and drove 2km along a winding single-track road past a lake and steadily uphill with alpine slopes (now reminiscent of Austria) and so on to the resort. My immediate thought was; it is stunning.
It is 40 degrees, now mid-afternoon, and the reception was gently humming with activity.  Some new arrivals were staying ‘en route’ to Spain and other resorts, some were staying here for the duration of their holidays. We were warmly greeted by the newest owners, Floor and Tim, who took over last August and would love more British people to visit. We were given the delightful ‘Pepo’ hut, a converted touring wagon, to ‘glamp’ in for our week. It had a surprisingly well-appointed and neat little interior combining a double bed, small table and chairs, gas hob, utensils and - thankfully - a standard size fridge! The temperatures were rising outside. Our stay was at the end of June just as the heatwave hit France with the unusual highs of up to 44 degrees every day. We spent most of the week outside on our large grassed area, or finding cooler air on walks in the shady forest behind the site.
As we wandered the site initially we noted that all the pitches for tents or mobile homes and chalets are tastefully dotted over terraced grassed areas, all interspersed with trees and bushes.  Even though this week was fully booked at La Gagère it seemed peaceful and quiet with every single pitch having plenty of seclusion. There was no ‘crammed’ feeling.  When sitting outside our little Pepo we could only hear constant bird song and occasional cows but nothing else at all.  It is a beautiful, relaxed, green resort.
There are two pools, the larger is heated to 26 degrees and has sunbeds surrounding it. The smaller is a single depth throughout and sited next to the children’s play area but at this time of year, with children at school, the adults use it for a cooler dip. There are three sanitary blocks, one either side of each pool and one further one towards the end of the site.
Near the main entrance is the restaurant and bar with a set evening menu of two courses to be pre-ordered (adding your name to a list) during the day.  Hot snack food is also available during the day and there is a snack bar serving chips, burgers open for one hour each evening. You can be naked here 24 hours a day whilst on the site, including in the restaurant and in the bar. There is also some form of entertainment every day including night walks, aqua aerobics, sport on TV, pétanque, volley-ball, a music quiz and once a week, a happy hour.  With a small shop covering essentials including fresh bread each day and Wifi (adequate but a little slow) it is possible to spend an entire week naked and never leave the resort.  For a larger weekly shop there are two large supermarkets and a bank to be found at the small attractive quiet village of Luzy, a 10-minute drive away.
Wherever we travel, we always like to venture out and explore. Domaine de la Gagère is within the Morvan National Park forest with a large number of walking trails that begin outside the gate.  These walks are up and down the hills, and within 5 minutes you are walking in the shade of tall pine trees, surrounded by the scent of woodland and wild flowers. At various points the trails take you to the edge of the forest where the trees thin out as you walk to expose stunning views across the whole landscape. It’s a beautiful area and a lovely to escape to the cool forest, and although they ask that you dress when off site, we never saw another soul.
After one day’s exertions we enjoyed a half hour massage on site.  Everything is done by writing your name on a list and so it is easy to book a day and time. There are several masseuses who work a few weeks each during the summer and we met Franz, a Dutchman who has been coming and working at the resort for years. 
We were particularly keen to visit the vineyards, after all the famous wine country of Burgundy was only a hour away…we enjoy cycling and managed to combine cycling and a vineyard tour with wine tasting all in one, what a novelty! This was in an area near Beaune at a winemaker called Jolliot in the village of Pommard.  We had no expectations at all, so it was delightful to arrive to a friendly welcome, be advised where to park in the shade ‘free of charge’, and be given our cycling equipment without any difficulty.  Our tour guide, Theodore “call me Theo” was a young Frenchman who lived locally and knew every single thing there was to know about wine.  We cycled through vineyards on cycle paths away from the roads with vines reaching out into the valleys and up the hills as far as you could see.  Occasionally we stopped in shaded areas for some explanation of wine areas, grading and grapes.  Theo took us to Volnay first where we were treated to a natural pool that was historically used as a ‘lavoir’ for washing clothes. In this cool rectangular building, open on one side with stone pillars, we treated our hot feet to a dip in the cool pool whilst listening to our guide and taking our first taste of local wine which Theo pulled out of his backpack. Cycling on we then arrived at the winemaker Jolliot’s cellars (what bliss the cool of the cellars were that day) and were given a short tour with tastings.
As the journey had been a little long from the Eurotunnel we decided to break it for the return and drove to a small village near Reims for the last night of our week.  We found a reasonable hotel for one night only and walked around the Champagne vines at 7pm in 38 degree heat! 
Driving in France is such a joy compared to the UK with her quiet roads and dramatic scenery.  There are so many Naturist sites to choose from there, it all comes down to what you are looking for.  We went for the wine, scenery, peace and quiet and we were not disappointed by Domaine De La Gagère.  It is not often I say this but; ‘I would definitely go back’.
Sheryn
Phone : +33 (0) 38 63 04 811
Website : la-gagere.com/en
 

British Heart Foundation - BN’s Charity of the Year!

We are pleased to announce a new venture. We have named British Heart Foundation (BHF), as British Naturism’s Charity of the Year and will work with them throughout 2020, raising funds and awareness.
The health and well-being benefits of a nude lifestyle are well-known to Naturists and BHF also place emphasis on healthy living and lifelong wellbeing, so our relationship is a natural fit. The partnership will raise our status and make us visible to people who have never contemplated Naturism. At the same time, we get to raise money that will directly benefit the population and combat diseases that could affect any of us.  We’ve already agreed to support the charity in connection with an event - the BHF Naked Heart Walk - which takes place at the beautiful Painshill Park in Surrey, next June, on the summer solstice. Please register your interest now. We’re indebted to BN member Philip Baker, who along with Alan Peill and Keith Hillier-Palmer make up the East Sussex Coastal fundraising group, and raise funds for BHF and whose idea the event was.
We also want you to participate and spread the word about it! BHF are putting much effort into the event and we can expect to receive a lot of attention, including from the media. A press release launching the event was issued by BHF today.
This event alone is an outstanding opportunity for us. We all know people who are sort of interested or amused by the concept of Naturism, but too nervous to give it a try. The prospect of raising money for the third largest charity in the UK will provide an excuse for many to cross that barrier, and we hope to see many people trying social nudity for the first time in a safe, rewarding environment.
Throughout 2020, we’ll also be encouraging members, groups and clubs to get behind the British Naturism Charity of the Year initiative and put on fund- and profile-raising events. There will be a lot of support from us and our new friends at BHF both in terms of how to put on an event and deal with the fundraising aspects. It’s an obvious hook for the Great British Skinny Dip and we expect many more swimming pools to open their doors (and their minds) to nude sessions when it’s being run in support of such a good cause.

In Danielle's defence

Danielle Lloyd is not shy of publicity and, according to Barnum, there's no such thing as bad publicity. Danielle has had her moments. In 2005 she was crowned Miss Great Britain only to have the title taken away after posing for Playboy in 2006. Then there was that awkward moment in the Big Brother House with Shilpa Shetty.
Now the ex model and TV personality has managed to upset a handful of her half a million Instagram followers by promoting a massage mat with a photo of her posing with her four young sons. The photo looks strangely candid. Strangely because it looks professional and composed but taken in her living room with everyone and the massage mat crammed into one corner.
But it wasn't the odd setting that upset the snowflakes. It seems that Danielle, quite sensibly, likes to feel the benefits of the massage mat without her bra strap getting in the way. I've never worn a bra, no, honestly, but I would imagine that the clasp bit on the back, specially, might dig in a bit when you're lying on the mat and rather detract from the benefit.
To be fair, what really irked this “unhappy few” (sorry Will) was that she forgot to put her top back on when posing with her four sons. How shocking! But anyone who feared the young boys might be forever traumatised by the reminder of what their mother's breasts looked like, should take comfort in the fact that the boys look perfectly comfortable with the situation. Indeed they look like quite nice well adjusted children to me. Despite being forced to sit on the floor in the cramped corner of what I suspect is probably a very nice large room in a very nice large house.
Oh, and I should add that the other half a million of her followers either had no opinion on the matter or came swiftly to her defence. Which is nice.
 
 

Naked Dinner at the Orchard

The Eastern region event was a Christmas Dinner at the Three Counties Asylum near Hitchin. At least that's what it used to be called in less enlightened days. It's now part of the Bannatyne Leisure empire and called The Orchard and is next to their health spa. The buildings, from the Victorian era, are stunning and the restaurant is in what was the chapel. Apparently there was a real scandal there some years ago when the resident vicar married someone forty years younger. The Orchard is a great place for a meal with good hosts, decent food and most importantly in December, well heated. Once again the event was a sell out and the lesson to learn with our regional events is to book early. Our Murder Mystery event is also sold out with a waiting list. As usual we had a fiendish quiz and this time with a Christmas theme. Here's some samples- Do you know what Michael Barratt's real name is who sang Merry Christmas Everyone? And what's Japan's favourite Christmas meal? Who had a hit with Insanity over Christmas? Finally, what animal brings Christmas gifts in Syria? 
Quiz answers: Shaking Stevens, KFC, Madness and camel.
 
Report by Andy Wyman
Photo Credit Photo by Alex Loup on Unsplash

BN222 - Winter 2019

British Naturism members will soon be receiving their copy of BN222, the Winter 2019 issue of our members magazine. It’s an extended issue so that we could fit everything in…read about:
Our new relationship with the British Heart Foundation and in particular the Naked Heart Walk The huge amount and variety of events planned for 2020 Health and well-being via naked runs and naked yoga classes Updates from our campaigns including Women in Naturism and Sue’s report of walking 65 kilometres without clothes Reports and pictures from recent events Naturist travel and holiday opportunities in France. Of course, you’ll also find all the latest Naturist news and venue listings and plenty more besides.
BN222 is available for our members to download right now, and will soon be landing on the doormats of those who opt to receive it by post.
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?

Yoga brings new Naturists for Leeds Naturist Group

Leeds Naturist Group (LNG) has been going since 1985 and their weekly get-togethers are at Bramley’s beautiful Edwardian swimming baths. ‘We are so lucky to have an excellent relationship with the group running the baths, they say. ‘Our members in the past have voted unanimously to make charitable donations to help with fundraising efforts but we noticed a new trend; naked yoga. Classes were being held around the world, New York, Brisbane, London; all extolling the benefits for body confidence and self-acceptance. So, we thought why not add Leeds to the mix?
‘We approached several Yoga instructors with a view to having them come to our meeting on a Saturday but the people at The Hot Room, Leeds invited us to their place. Bikram Yoga is different in that it is conducted in a hot studio - 40 degrees Celsius. The idea is that it warms the body allowing for deeper stretches in the muscles and joints as well as the cleansing benefits through sweating. It’s a practice that lends itself perfectly to being nude. Even in clothed classes people wear close to nothing.
‘Would our members make an extra trip with the busy lives we all live? We had a lightbulb moment! We could open the session to members of the studio. Vicki at The Hot Room couldn’t have been more supportive. We were amazed by the uptake and the class quickly filled with both LNG and The Hot Room members wanting to experience something entirely new.
‘Vicki tailored the class to be beneficial for the wide range of people involved; young, old, experienced or beginner. For some this was their first time being nude in a social setting. LNG prides itself on being a friendly bunch, but to the folk from The Hot Room completely unused to such a naked situation, this was a revelation. No one giving a hoot about what you look like, what they look like, who you are or what you do. Just straight up acceptance. Several even remarked at the time how refreshing that felt.
The Hot Room member Alice, said “I have struggled with accepting and loving my body in the past. When the studio offered a Naturist class I was excited to try it! It was liberating and so refreshing to be around such friendly people. I feel like it was an important step in my journey of self-love and something I would recommend to other people.” George is one of the exceptionally talented instructors at the studio. “A lot of people had extreme views about it and it’s not something I necessarily wanted to do but I didn’t understand the divided opinions. So I did it to form my own opinion. During the first session I remember having the same re-occurring thought a few times about doing it naked, but 10 minutes in I completely forgot about it. After completing two Naturist yoga classes I feel a huge boost of confidence being naked and accepting my body as it is and I’d be curious to try Naturism in different settings.”
‘We asked Vicki what made her decide, not only to be the instructor for the session but to join in with our dress code and how she felt about it. “I’m Swedish and I don’t really call myself a Naturist, as Naturism is just something that’s always been a natural part of life for me. As a child I would go with my family to a deserted beach and we’d swim and sunbathe naked, and it never seemed like an odd or unusual thing to do. Since opening the studio in Leeds, I had noticed how inhibiting and potentially harmful the English attitude to nakedness could be. A naked yoga class seemed like a great idea! It’s been great to see some of our regular students joining in. They have all told me it left them with a sense of accomplishment, liberation and increased body confidence.”
LNG have decided to make it a regular addition to the calendar with classes booked every other month for the next year. Spaces are limited and tickets do sell fast but if any BN members are interested in joining in please contact the club at leedsnaturistgroup@gmail.com

Spot the Nipple

An art project started by Noortje Palmers and Jasper Declercq set out to test the Instagram algorithm that detects and blocks naked female breasts - an automatic and unnecessary social media censorship that Naturists suffer from. 
They set up an Instagram account called @Taboob_official and, with the help of stylists Farah El Bastani and Harriet Wouters, posted 75 pictures of naked female breasts disguised in various clever artistic ways. Then they sat back to see if the algorithm was clever enough to spot any of them. To be fair, some are more obvious than others but all of them fit the description on the “Art Project” tin.
taboob.be
 

My 40 Years As a Naturist !

This year marks a personal milestone. I will be celebrating my fortieth! Birthday? No, that has long passed! This year is my fortieth anniversary of becoming a Naturist!
I did not want this celebration to pass unrecognised, so I asked my husband if we could retrace my steps and go to where I first stripped off and ran into the sea, so I could do it all over again. But as an older lady, I must admit, I did not run as fast as last time!
Four decades ago, I was a staff member on a secondary school exchange, a young French teacher, staying with the PE teacher and her family at a school in the district of Mayenne. I was invited by my host if to visit their beach house, on the island of Noirmoutier. Prior to the excursion, a conversation took place where it was explained to me that they were Naturists and they asked me if I would feel happy to join them in this activity for a few hours. Now the translation of the word Naturist to a young, naive twenty three year old somehow was missed and I mistook that they were naturalists. I therefore thought that they were going to go sealife or birdwatching, so I agreed. When we arrived at La Plage De Luzéronde, my host, her husband and their two children were met by her parents. So, in total, seven of us. A pique-nique had been planned. 
To my surprise, after walking round a promontory, and reaching a pleasant spot just around the headland from the village of L’Epine, all six of my French companions stripped off. I was flummoxed as to what I should do. I decided to strip and run into the sea until I recuperated and got the nerve to join them. My stomach played a big part in this, as they all began tucking into the food so I decided I was not going to miss out on lunch.
The rest is history, literally. I was immediately hooked on this new lifestyle, and socialising. All three generations were completely at ease with their bodies being on view in front of each other, and I became another convert, who sought out British Naturism on her return to the United Kingdom.  
This year, tracing those tentative steps,  we travelled to the district of Mayenne, and I viewed the school and small town where I participated on the exchanges. The staff I knew then had moved, retired etc. and so I was unable to trace anyone who was still around in that small town. Instead, we moved on to Laval, and we organised a stay at Mayenne Nature, a French club, who made us welcome for a couple of days.
We then travelled to Noirmoutier, and to my delight, La Plage De Luzéronde, is still a designated Naturist beach, and it has not changed much. There is tarmac nowadays, due to its popularity, that allows an easier walk to the beach, or you are able to drive and park. From the end of the tarmac the path is little changed and you step down and onto an expanse of golden sand. The naturist beach is official and advertised on a billboard prior to arrival on it. There seem to be more campsites than I remember. After doing my famous strip and run into the sea we spent two glorious days on the beach.
Mission accomplished, and with two weeks left of our trip we decided to travel to more French naturist places and so continued to Euronat for a week. Surprisingly for a lady with 40 years of naturism I had never been,  so it was a bucket list item ticked for me. The beach was similar to Luzéronde; longer but with the same golden sand. Everywhere, everyone was naked, which was wonderful to experience.
We decided after a week, to travel inland from Bordeaux to the Dordogne to visit Le Couderc, which we had found and enjoyed the previous year. It is Dutch run and the staff are very friendly, helpful and accommodating. It is quite large with plenty of pitches, and once again we did not need to book in September. You do not need to leave the site because there is a restaurant, a  bar, a cafe and a well stocked shop that happens to be run by an English lady. The outdoor pool is warm and clean, but also there is a superb sauna and steam room if the weather is inclement such as we experienced late September.
It was time to begin the trip north, but miraculously, thanks to Google, I found the name of a couple of the teachers I worked with 40 years ago and we had an emotional meeting at their home, resulting in dinner, an overnight stay and too much wine being consumed, but it was worth it!
I had one last “bucket list” to tick, and so on our way up to the shuttle we stopped for two days at Berck to visit Berck Plage. I remember reading about this beach in one of the first BN magazines I received and had always wanted to go. We got sandblasted, unfortunately due to the remnants of a hurricane in the Channel, but naked long enough for a photo. We stayed at one of the several campsites within walking distance from the beach. Once again it is a designated beach and billboards are visible announcing its location.
And so, a celebration of my introduction to this wonderful lifestyle of freedom took place by retracing my past links, and visiting places that I had always wanted to go. Would I have changed anything and not become a Naturist, and a very passionate one at that? Hell no!
Janet Fleuty
 
 
 

The Party of the Year!

Almost 500 naked guests filled Splash Landings Hotel and Waterpark at Alton Towers last weekend - and had blast!
There were stretch classes, yoga, guided tours of the Alton Towers gardens, crafts, indoor archery, life drawing, body painting, waterpolo, aquarobics, a mad quiz and even madder bingo! Zoo Lab brought snakes and other creatures and got up close and personal with us and we danced the night away to live music. Best of all was the joy of being amongst our wonderful, relaxed community of like-minded people.
Members can see the highlights here. Dates for our 2020 Alton Towers weekend have been announced...
 
Many thanks to our sponsors!
Chalfont Holidays
Bare Necessities Cruises
Cefnsuran Self Catering Wales
Clover Spa
Cypress Cove
Western Sunfolk

Our biggest Alton Towers ever!

500 Naturists will descend on Alton Towers' Splash Landings Hotel and Waterpark this weekend for our thirteenth annual naked weekend. It's a complete sell-out!
The theme park is closed at this time of year but BN members have the run of the entire Hotel and Waterpark. Clothes are not needed anywhere from 6pm on Friday night until midday on Sunday. In addition to all the fun there is to be had in the waterpark, guests will enjoy sports and exercise classes, quizzes, life drawing, live bands and disco.
If you've missed out, we'll be announcing dates for 2020 very soon...

Lovely Lavinia

Lavinia is a new Naturist resort only 20 minutes inland from Alicante airport, in the South East of Spain. It is set on a terraced hillside with gardens, two swimming pools, and four spacious and well-appointed villas for holiday rental. Accommodating a maximum of 16 guests, it is an ideal location for an escape, and would make a great place for a group to holiday together.
The site is well laid out and there is a feeling of space. One of the swimming pools was right outside the door of our villa and it felt like ours exclusively. There is a sauna with ultra-modern showers. Beach towels, hamman towels and bath robes in harmonious and complementary colours - unique to each villa - are also provided. You’ll also find an honesty bar next to the central terrace and BBQ area. It is definitely a Naturist resort and not clothes-optional with no requirement to wear clothes at any time whilst on site.
It’s the brainchild of Belgians Wim and Ana. They only became Naturists six years ago and in following a long-term dream of running a B&B in Spain, decided that a Naturist place would give them a better chance of success because there was less competition - and definitely a demand. The site was in ruins having had squatters after being repossessed some years previously but they have done an incredible job of refurbishing and improving.
They live in a fifth property on the site and provide well for guests, including some food and drink provisions to purchase, a bookable cooked food service on request, as well as fridge ‘packages’ for new arrivals. Guests often get together for a catered communal meal. Ana makes marmalade and limoncello and will also bake you a loaf of delicious bread, brought to your door straight from the oven!
Finding the property on Google maps might be off-putting but don’t be! Despite the apparent proximity to houses and roads there is tranquility and fantastic views. Guests can also exit Lavinia by the back gate and walk - naked if you wish - for miles and miles in mountainous terrain. Wim and Ana run a regular walking excursion to see the sun rise - spectacular!
They are keen to tell you that it is important for them that guests feel comfortable, they want everyone to feel free to be themselves, do as they wish, and feel happy in their own skin. If you want to join in with any activities you may. If you choose solitude, that is fine too.
If you do venture out, the nearest town Sant Vicente del Raspeig is only 10 minutes drive away.  It is a sizeable town with supermarkets, pharmacies and many other shops with parking freely available.  Slightly further afield is the coast and all that it offers.
With a beautiful, peaceful and spacious site and welcoming hosts, it would be true to say that Lavinia Naturist Resort is a new Spanish gem for the Naturist community.
Sheryn
Web: www.lavinianaturistresort.com

Clothes-optional in Edinburgh

NakEdArt 3 is a  new body-positive show from NaKedArt collective, a diverse and international group which arose from life drawing and painting sessions at Leith School of Art, hosted by sculptor Marcin Krupa, taking place in Edinburgh from the 2nd to the 9th of November. 
...and we're delighted to say that at the collective's suggestion, on the morning of Sunday 3rd November, guests will be encouraged to visit the gallery without clothes! Visitors must reserve a place in advance.

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