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BN in the Daily Telegraph again!

Things are continuing to move forwards very nicely with regards to the great attention Naturism is being paid in the press recently, and The Telegraph’s ‘A nudist’s guide to body confidence’ by Anna Clarke based on interviews with BN members, is no exception. The piece, focused on the intersection of body confidence and Naturism, is another straight-talking and genuine slice of journalism eschewing sensationalism in favour of open-mindedness. Being naked, the author argues, is actually quite fashionable! Moreover, the article quickly acknowledges the headway we’re making in ‘edging towards the ‘nude not crude’ way of thinking’.

One thing that really stands out about the article is how much time is spent really trying to connect with non-Naturists by highlighting the opportunities for self-development, self-acceptance and self-awareness that are abundant within the practice of removing one’s clothes. It also, crucially, paints the Naturist attitude to nudity as entirely healthy and necessary.

It’s a short article but continues to highlight the fact that people are truly coming more accepting of, and interested in, Naturism. Particular thanks and gratitude to all of those BN members who contributed to the report – your openness and enthusiasm for Naturism is a beautiful thing! 

Three Naturist Clubs in Ontario, Canada

As we know, life is sometimes a compromise and to enjoy a holiday and explore another country, it’s not always possible to plan to stay at only naturist venues, as desirable as it may be, for the entire holiday.  This was the case when we spent a very enjoyable four weeks in Canada in the late summer, early autumn last year.
We arrived in Toronto and after spending a few days with our family who live in Burlington, a delightful area on Lake Ontario, we collected our RV (Recreational Vehicle) from the local Cruise Canada depot and headed north. It was our first time in Canada and our first RV experience, although we have a touring caravan at home.  We were determined to see a lot, but not spend all day, every day, travelling and so planned to spend some nights at commercial sites and others at naturist locations.
After a stop of two nights in Huntsville we made our way to our first naturist site, and the one we were looking forward to visiting the most, Lake Jewel Wilderness.  As the name implies, it is very remote, certainly by the standards of our many previous naturist sites visited around Europe.  After finding the turning off highway 17 onto Riding Stable Road we followed the instructions, continued for 6.3kms on a forest track until we reached the gate - then it’s only another 1.5kms to the lake and 640 acres of wilderness! 
Our arrival on site was something like discovering a new tribe in the wild, naked people appeared from all over the place as much as to say, “What are you doing here?”  As you can tell we were not expected.  We had been in email communication with John Bedows, the owner of the site who unbeknown to us had sadly passed away following a very short illness only a couple of weeks before our arrival and no one else knew of us.  Five minutes later and we were being shown a selection of pitches by Steve who now manages the site on behalf of Betty, John’s widow.  From then on we could not have been made more welcome, we were invited to the daily 4pm Happy Hour “Just bring a can - we will be over there - come and join us” 
Then off for some canoeing on the lake and an invitation to the Corn Roast, more beer, more chat about naturism in the UK and more friends made.  As we said, it was remote, water is drawn from the lake and while it is apparently safe to drink, we didn’t risk it.  The loos are of the compost variety, completely adequate. As we lay in bed at night you could hear wolves howling, thankfully in the distance.  On our last full day we were invited to go along to the local fire station for a community charity breakfast 0 all you could eat for $10. As we had the RV, two members arranged to take us along in their large 4x4 before returning for a swim, more canoeing and a wood fired sauna – fantastic. We were sorry to say goodbye after only three nights.
On now towards Ottawa via a commercial sites at Pembroke, in beautiful countryside if it wasn’t for the torrential rain. It was Labour Day in Canada, a big public holiday at the end of the summer, so it’s not just the UK that has wet Bank Holidays!  After a two night stop over at a municipal site almost next door to the Park and Ride, we spent a fantastic day in Ottawa, Canada’s capital.  We then moved on to East Haven, a more conventional naturist club for adults only, some 30 miles outside the city.  We received a warm welcome from owner Yogi and many of the members on site for their last weekend before the site closed for winter.  It was after all the 8th September and members were packing up ready for the severe winter to come.
The site is very well kept with many trailers complete with slide-outs along with static lodges and about a dozen touring pitches with full service hook-ups.  The site enjoys a great swimming pool heated by a massive wood burning stove, hand built by Daniel, Yogi’s partner, producing a pool temperature of 32C, more like a Jacuzzi.  The actual Jacuzzi is set beside the pool with full electric controls.  The site does not allow children, the thought being to allow their parents time to get away from it all for the vacation. The site used to allow them, but Yogi found she was being used as a free of charge Nanny service and changed the rules several years ago, it was feared the membership numbers would suffer, but the opposite has happened with a waiting list for permanent pitches now operating.  It was while we were here that the weather took a much improved turn for the better and would continue with blue sky and sunshine right though the rest of our time in Canada. Why pack up for winter in high 20 degree sunshine?
In fact, the weather was so good, we stayed an extra day at East Haven before enjoying 3 great days in Bon Echo Provincial Park enjoying swimming, walking and a days canoeing (20kms). Now to our final stop before returning home, this time to Bare Oaks Naturist Park. 
As many will have read and some experienced, Bare Oaks is a complete naturist complex, owned and commercially run by Stephane Deschênes and his team.  All staff work naked, including those in the reception office, weather permitting, promoting the naked lifestyle throughout.  The site has two pools, a lake for swimming, sauna, jacuzzi, restaurant and bar for members and guests.  In contrast to East Haven, the club attracts younger families with lots of children along with very permanent and expensive cabins where some, mostly retired members, have set up home for the complete 12 month year.  We enjoyed the site, although the RV touring pitches were rather cramped in comparison to other sites visited, but we had great neighbours again who made us very welcome.
In conclusion, we had a great time and mixing naturist sites with more commercial stops worked well for us. Ok - it would have been nice to spend the whole time at naturist sites but as we said at the beginning, life is a compromise ……..!
 Graham and Julia Holland
 

International Naturist Swimming Gala - Team BN Ranked Second!

In October the 16 swimmers in the BN Swim Team and their supporters set off to Le Havre, France to represent British Naturism at the 47thINF-FNI Swimming Gala.
Swimmers range from age 10 upwards and the races are organised by age group as given in the INF-FNI Sports Rules. There are over 100 races during the event and it is kept on schedule by the INF-FNI Sports Officer and the German Swimming Association officials. The races are divided into four strokes and male/female plus relays. Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd as usual. It’s a hectic full on day but the atmosphere is friendly and supportive across all nationalities. The taking part is most important, winning is secondary, everyone is clapped and cheered from the youngest to the oldest, the fastest to the slowest. Naturists around the world are a friendly and respectful group of people.
This year BN, the 4th largest team present, came second in the medal table with 18 gold, 11 Silver and 6 Bronze, our best ever result! Well done to everyone on the team.
It’s a sociable occasion and the night before we gathered for dinner and drinks. We shared our hotel with the French and Italian teams. The atmosphere was very warm and friendly, we renewed our acquaintance with swimmers from previous galas as well as making new friends with first timers.
In the evening a Gala Dinner is held where everyone can relax and let their hair down. Speeches are given, thank-yous and gifts exchanged. Music and dancing overcome the language barrier and much fun is had, being in France the champagne and wine flowed freely with much “Entente Cordiale”.
Next year the Gala will be held in Paris on the weekend of 18th to 20th October 2019, in a city centre pool, more details will be released in the coming months. This provides an open invitation for all BN members to affordably visit the French capital. Many new countries are showing an interest in joining us next year at this event which is good for the future of the event and International Naturism in general. “Vive la Famille Naturiste”
If you want to enter this event as a swimmer you must take part in the BN National Gala. This will take place on 27 April 2019. The event is open to BN members and members of BN clubs - keep any eye out on the BN website as details become available. If you don’t want to (or can’t) swim you can come along and support the team, it is always encouraging to have friends and family cheering from the side-lines.
I can guarantee that whether you swim or come along as a supporter you will have an interesting and fun time with other naturists of many nationalities. “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite”
Jane Caunt
 
Photo: Jean-Luc Bouland from Naturisme Magazine
 

Launching Nudefest 2019!

8th – 15th July - Thorney Lakes, Somerset
 One of the highlights of the Naturist calendar for many is Nudefest, a week-long camping festival held at Thorney Lakes camp site in Somerset.
 Over the past few years Nudefest has gone from strength, now attracting over 400 Naturists from all over the UK. The huge site allows for all accommodations from humble tents to monster RV’s and motorhomes, an annual Naturist community in the beautiful Somerset countryside.
Nudefest is all about getting the Naturist community together and having a great time. At the heart of Nudefest is the central marquees where all the action takes place from morning yoga to life drawing, informative discussions to basket weaving classes, there is always something going on. Every evening too there is live entertainment from a whole host of entertainers and bands, this year including a night of glam rock and an awesome tribute to Queen.
Great news too for runners as we welcome back the Nudefest 5K & 10K on Saturday July 13th. This clothes-free run has gone from strength to strength attracting runners from all over the UK to take part. Run passes also include a day pass to Nudefest too.
Nudefest is open to all Naturists and welcomes international visitors with open arms. 
Both BN and INF members save 25% compared to the cost of a non-member.
Pricing starts at only £24 per person per night and includes entry, pitch fees and all entertainment.
Find out more at nudefest.co.uk
 

Three spas and a bike ride

‘A last-minute decision to join the World Naked Bike Ride in Amsterdam found me booked on an overnight ferry with a plan to visit three spas, one beach café, and an exhibition of neoclassical art. All in four days in July,’ says Jon Oates
Saturday
I leave the ferry and drive up the A4 to the outskirts of Amsterdam, quickly check into the Spa Hotel Zuiver, then unfold my Brompton bicycle and pedal off to find the WBNR rendez-vous in Frankendael Park where I identify a crowd of naked people milling around on bikes. After the obligatory photo shoot, we wind our way along the streets and canals. It rapidly becomes apparent that the vast majority of onlookers are, by turns, surprised, amused, then waving enthusiastically to the passing show. It’s a carnival atmosphere. Groups in party boats roar with delight. We make our way to Museumplein, completing three laps of honour around the square behind the famous Rijksmuseum, and head off to the Vondelpark, past picnickers and joggers, for further circuits round the lake, and our final destination. We are expertly marshalled by a team of clothed and unclad volunteers, who stop the traffic at busy junctions. Tram and bus drivers accept the delays with good grace; people cheer and shout. The police presence is discrete and tolerant.
Thoroughly contented to be once again immersed in Dutch culture, I dress and head back to my room. Spa Hotel Zuiver is located on the northern edge of Amsterdamse Bos, a forest park which also has a designated naturist area, though the section at Gaasperplas park in the southeast of the city receives much better reviews.
The hotel rooms, on two storeys, are spacious, light and quiet. Spa Hotel Zuiver is neatly divided into three: the clothed hotel section, a large spa complex, and a gymnasium and sports centre. On arrival, you are issued with an electronic wristband which gives you access to the spa and gym, acts as a key for lockers in the changing rooms, and allows you to add bar items to your hotel account without the need for cash.
The spa proves to be popular, though it never feels crowded. There are the usual saunas, relaxation rooms, aromatherapy pools, jacuzzis, and a swimming pool which extends from the main hall to the large external decked sunbathing area. The terrace bar and restaurant require the wearing of a badjas—bathrobe. Everywhere else within the spa area is clothes-free, though you may wear a towel or bathrobe when walking around.
Sunday
I feel the need for some serious culture, so I head to Hermitage Amsterdam to see their temporary exhibition of neoclassical art including a sublime collection of work by Italian sculptor, Antonio Canova. The highlight is The Three Graces—on loan from The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. After paying a visit to the nearby Hortus Botanicus—botanical gardens—I return to the hotel elated at having seen such wonders.
Monday
Time for a change of scene, so I catch the 346 bus from outside the VU Medisch Centrum university hospital—a ten minute walk from the hotel—to Haarlem, then sprinter train to Zandvoort, the nearest seaside resort to Amsterdam. Travelling by public transport in the Netherlands is a breeze. Buy an OV-chipkaart on arrival (€7.50 for an ‘anonymous’ pay-as-you-go card, then top up as required, valid for five years) and use it to swipe in and out for each leg of your journey. Unlike London’s Oyster card, you need to remember to uitchecken—swipe out—on alighting from buses. Your balance is displayed on the card-reader.
I head south along the promenade, then down a ramp onto the beach, and, before long, find notices identifying the start of the naturist beach, aided by the indispensable Naaktstrandje guide. It’s overcast and breezy North Sea weather, so there are few souls unclothed today, but I decide to do the hardy British thing and strip off. First stop Adam en Eva, the only clothes-optional beach café in the Netherlands (and probably in Northern Europe). I am the only nude patron today, but the staff are unconcerned, and I find a customary toastie and coffee most welcome.
On my return to Amsterdam, I decide to warm up with a visit to Sauna Deco. Located in the heart of the city, and a stone’s throw from Anne Frank’s house, this beautiful bijoux spa was constructed in 1979 out of reclaimed Parisian Art Deco furnishings from the Au Bon Marché department store. Stained glass, gilded stair railings, and 1920s decorations mix with traditional Dutch wall tiles. Whilst compact, the spa has a unique atmosphere with steam room, sauna, plunge pool, rest areas and tiny outside terrace giving a tantalising glimpse of the sky.
Tuesday
My final day, and, because Tuesdays to Thursdays in summer are bathing costume days at Hotel Zuiver, I head down the A4 and A12 to Elysium spa near Rotterdam to pass some time before catching the ferry back to Hull and onwards to home. The spa is enormous with countless themed saunas, jacuzzis, relaxation baths, and a central indoor pool area. Landscaped gardens offer areas for sunbathing, an outdoor pool, and yet more saunas. My favourite turns out to be the Heksensauna—witches sauna—in a Hansel & Gretel fairytale cottage. An outdoor cold shower and water pail soon shake off any drowsiness. After lunch, I finally make my way back to Europoort ferry terminal and the whirlwind holiday ends.
Some things to know:
Take your own bathrobe, sauna towel & flip-flops to avoid extra hire charges.
Hotel Zuiver offers non-resident use of the spa. Useful if you’re staying elsewhere in Amsterdam.
The Classic Beauties exhibition at Hermitage Amsterdam continues until 13th January 2019.
 
Links:
Spa Hotel Zuiver
WNBR Netherlands
Sauna Deco
Adam & Eva
Naaktstrandje
Elysium
 
Picture from Ewoud Broeksma/broeksma.com

BN Members Autumn Group Holiday to El Portús

About 40 BN Members gathered in El Portús for the Autumn Group holiday - organised by Chalfont Holidays - our second trip to this popular Spanish resort this year. Many guests opted to arrive earlier or stay later than the ‘official’ seven day group holiday.
It really was ‘fun in the sun’ as the temperatures stayed high every day.  Gentle ‘detox’ music could be heard on the terrace as the few early risers attended a wake up stretch with the backdrop of the sunrise glowing red on the coastal mountains.  Some views just stay with you. 
The vineyard trip will probably stay in the minds of most however, as a group of Dutch joined in the opportunistic naked photo, and some passing Japanese wondered if they had come on the right trip but didn’t bat an eyelid!  Another trip to Calblanque, such a beautiful area of sand, sea and nature where half of us headed one day to swim, sunbathe and enjoy the ample picnic.  And then on another day, Cartagena, which is always popular.  We took in the history of the Roman theatre and Arqua the national underwater archaeology museum.  The British sunk a ship years ago but could not retrieve the gold coins at the time - now that bounty is shining for us to enjoy today, along with all the other items brilliantly preserved.  Two large ‘all you can eat’ lunches, one with ‘all you can drink’ as well, ensured plenty of social opportunity to gather on long tables and enjoy gastronomic delights with good company.
We relaxed at El Portus on a beach day, were massaged at spa coffee mornings, and enjoyed Andrew’s evening quizzes.  About half the group braved and ‘chilled’ in the summer and winter pools to attend the regular aqua sessions.  In the evenings we generally gathered at Moncho’s restaurant, enjoying the traditional paella evening on one occasion.  All too soon we were heading for home and feeling sad once again to say goodbye to friends, until next time.

Wigton Baths Takes the Naked Plunge!

PRESS RELEASE FROM BRITISH NATURISM
Naturists are celebrating as a swimming pool in Cumbria has decided to hold regular costume free swimming sessions.
Wigton Baths recently took part in the Great British Skinny Dip - a national campaign to promote the health and wellbeing benefits of naked swimming. They were so impressed with the success of the event that they decided to organise events in their own right, in what is seen as a real coup for Naturists. Most Naturist swims across the UK are run by clubs as private hires, or are held at dedicated Naturist sites.
Elaine Hudson from the Wigton Baths Trust said
‘This is the second year that we have taken part in the Great British Skinny Dip, and we've been really impressed by the turnout, and by the obvious  fun that the participants had. We're always looking to broaden the range of events we hold, so when we were approached by the Great British Skinny Dip we were delighted to get involved. Afterwards, it seemed sensible to cater for that growing market and host our own costume-free sessions.
Ron O’Hare from British Naturism said
‘As Naturists, we are always keen to see expanded opportunities for our activities. This great initiative by Wigton Baths will be well supported by us and, we hope, lots of newcomers keen to experience Naturist swimming. This swim adds to the wide range of Naturist opportunities in the Lakes, which this year also included a Naturist swim in a tarn, and a wild camping weekend at Windermere, as well as our local Naturist Clubs, Solway and the Lakeland Outdoor Club.
With a figure of almost four million people in the UK describing themselves as Naturist, there is an increased demand for Naturist events and facilities, and it is clear that the taboos are eroding. It’s perfectly legal in UK society to be naked and recent research has also confirmed that taking part in Naturist activity can have very positive benefits for mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well as issues such as body image and self confidence. British Naturism itself has seen its membership increase this year, with more people realising how nice it is to be naked and the heat wave encouraging many people to try Naturism for the first time.
Running for three months initially, the events will run on the 2nd Saturday of each month beginning 10th November. 14.00-16.00 and cost £5 per person.
Contact
Andrew Welch
andrew.welch@bn.org.uk
07774 955138
 
Photo by Colin Brundle

The Telegraph reports on the Growth of BN Membership

Did anybody catch Coran Elliott’s article regarding the growth of BN’s membership in The Telegraph this weekend? The article is just one of a growing number of positive pieces regarding naturism and the fact that public nudity is becoming increasingly more socially accepted and openly acknowledged. Indeed, the journalist’s approach to the story is itself indicative of the maturity with which the topic is being treated.
The focus of the article concerns the growth in BN membership figures – the first time in the last 15 years that they have risen, and the BN’s Andrew Welch was proud to have been able to offer reasons as to why this is the case. As a society we naturists know the simple, genuine pleasures of being naked and thanks to a fantastic summer and a season of hugely successful events aimed at really raising awareness to the benefits of naturism, it seems our community is all the bigger and healthier for it. 
It is hoped that the article will contribute to the growing acceptance of naturism in our society and that more and more people will continue to either come and give it a try or, at the very least, begin to think a little more open-mindedly about naturists and naturism. 
Taylor Boxall

Running Wild, Running Free

A YBNer’s first time running the BH5K at the Naturist Foundation
It's early Sunday morning and I'm already in the car and a few minutes into a sat-nav defined 35-minute journey south. Having driven this route before I know that the sat-nav is not being entirely honest with me. I live in central London so navigating the traffic, road works, pedestrians, cyclists, traffic lights and whatever else will take me a good amount of time. Those 35 minutes, I know, will have become 85 by the time I arrive.
But nevertheless, I'm always glad to be venturing out of the city. I do it a lot, so today really is no different. Today, I'll be taking part in a 5K run which, again, is not unusual and I'll be doing it with about 150 other people. Also not unusual. But those people, myself included, will all be naked.
As my interest in the naturist movement has grown over the last few years, I’ve often found myself wondering why it is unusual is and, moreover, why there is a ‘naturist movement’ anyway. On my drive down to the Naturist Foundation’s BH5K, I began to think on it some more. My theory is that it has a fair amount to do with domestic society i.e. naturism in societies wherein social nudity, and nudity in general, is commonly associated with sex and seediness. Britain, for one, is quite guilty of that.
Of course, there are plenty of societies/countries where naturism is practised that have a completely healthy perspective on being naked. Germany is an obvious one but look further north to Scandinavia or further south to, say, Croatia, and you’ll see similar, equally nonchalant attitudes to nudity. Having been brought up in a relatively conservative British family, being naked was a state to embrace in private or, if it came to it, in front of the doctor, hence the notion of naturism certainly never figured in daily conversation. Therefore, it seems to me that cultures of living naked, socialising naked, exercising naked, holidaying naked or simply hanging out at a campsite naked specifically in countries where this is uncomfortable for most, is in part an extreme reaction to prudishness and the general association of nudity equalling Sex. I can’t help but wonder if the Victorians hadn’t ushered in their frightfully unnatural belief that being naked is shameful we’d all, every person in the country, have markedly more open minds about being sans clothes.
I enjoy being naked, a lot, and I see absolutely nothing shameful, wrong, embarrassing or otherwise about - that doesn’t make me a weirdo or an exhibitionist. Like the connection between mind and muscle that is advocated to gym-goers as the holy grail of doing weight-bearing exercise, I believe that being naked is vital to facilitating the strongest connection between mind and body. By being exposed to the natural world, our entire bodies are able to feel it. The wind, as it swirls around and caresses every inch of us. The sunlight as it warms those parts of us usually covered by layers of fabric, and the frosty air as it creeps in and chills them. That beautiful sensation of sliding in and out of the pool without clingy swimwear pulling itself in to every crevasse. The realisation that no one is staring at your naked body and hey, if they do happen to check you out, so what? I’m comfortable in my own skin and I’ll thank you to appreciate it.
I’ve never done any kind of naked running before and as a fitness addict it’s bizarre that I haven’t. My ancient Greek ancestors have been up there on Mount Olympus these past 29 years, chuckling in disbelief. But today is finally that day. Today, I’m running the BH5K because I love the freedom of being without clothes and have the sneaking suspicion that I’ll enjoy running that way too.
Back in the car, 85 minutes have passed by the time I arrive at the Naturist Foundation. There’s already a queue of cars waiting to get in and we’re being asked to park as close as physically possible to other cars. Sardines, meet the can. Some folk are already undressing by the boots of their cars, others will do so in the changing rooms on site, but either way, there is a healthy mix of the nude and the not already milling around. Once I’ve registered, I head back out and over to the changing room where I disrobe and return again to the growing assortment of my fellow, naturist runners.
As usual with groups of naturists in the UK, there is a wide-ish mix of folk but, as is also common, most of the people here are male, the majority of whom are in the 40+ demographic. There are a handful of younger guys here and there, and perhaps 10-15 women in total, but it’s clear that I’m amongst the very youngest here and certainly of the most well represented gender. My mind, as it often does, drifts off again and I wonder why more women, both young and older, are not so attracted to this environment. Is it the case of being afraid of the jump? The kind of fear that drags us away from the open aeroplane door but which, once we’ve mustered the strength to push it aside and taken that jump, turns into pure adoration, perhaps even exhilaration. Is it self-awareness? Or perhaps just a case of being uncomfortable being naked in front of others and simply not enjoying it, irrespective of any fear?
As there is still plenty of time before the route walk, I take the opportunity to go for a swim in the club’s wonderfully warm pool and warm up with a gentle 10 lengths. Before I know it, a voice over the tannoy announces the imminent commencement of the walk so I quickly dry off and join the crowd. I notice everyone has race numbers lipsticked onto their chests and shoulders, so I head back over to the clubhouse for my own. I’m number 17. As I don’t wear lipstick it takes me a clumsy brush of my own arm against my chest to recognise that this stuff smudges. I make a mental note and a conscious effort to avoid contact with any of the freshly numbered areas of my upper body.
The route this year differs to the one last year, as I understand it, and requires us to take three loops around the entire site before peeling off for the final few hundred metres to the finish line. Once we’ve all walked the full circuit we arrive back at the start. Here I bump into Julie who taps me on the shoulder and says ‘Hi! Remember me?!’. Julie and her husband were the first people I met at the club when I first visited last year and were both incredibly warm and friendly. But stood in front of her, I can’t help but realise the irony of our meeting: I might not have recognised her had we been wearing clothes, and likely she would not have recognised me either. In any other environment, it would probably have been ‘Oh, Taylor! Sorry, I didn’t recognise you with your clothes on!’. We chat briefly and I’m pleased to see a familiar face. So far it feels as if everyone else already knows everyone else. I’m sure that’s not the case but so friendly is the naturist crowd that it’s tough to discern who is and is not familiar with one another.
It’s also here that I really get a good measure of today’s turnout and it’s excellent. The group is big and buzzing to get started and we’re all rewarded quickly. After a short announcement inaugurating this year’s event, we’re off.
Now, if you’ve never seen or been part of a large group of naked runners, there’s something that you need to know. The atmosphere is joyous. It’s respectful and, more than anything, it’s just like any other running race. The thrill of taking part in a sporting event, however grassroots, or private, or local, is ever present. I’d started right at the very back of the runners and looking down that first strait, it was jiggly butt cheeks for as far as the eye could see. I’ll admit, there’s a competitive streak in me that sometimes I fight against but most times I lose that little battle. Today, alas, was no different. I’d gone to the back of the pack to keep out of the way of the more serious runners and to simply enjoy the run for what it was, but before long I found myself slowly working my way in front of other runners. I do enjoy the thrill of the chase and today it’s a chase I’ll be thrilled by for the entire 5K.
By the time I reach the final stretch to the finish, there’s already a good number of people catching their breath and sipping on the orange juice being handed out at one of the tables. I’m handed a card with the number 52 on it and figure I must have passed about 100 other runners. I’m pleased with my effort and after overhearing some of the earlier finishing times I understand that there are some seriously strong runners on site. Again, my mind begins to wonder. This time, I consider the benefits of running naked on my own training. At the very least, I tell myself, there’ll be no material to flap around, catch the backdraft and slow me down. I commit to looking into naked running a little more seriously.
It’s been 25 minutes since the start of the race and, for me, it’s done. I hang around for a little while longer and clap several runners over the finish line but, as I’ve a busy day ahead of me, decide to treat myself to one final dip in the pool so I shower off and return to that delightful water. After a couple of lengths it becomes a bit too busy to do any real swimming so I leave and, to my joy, find the sauna has been turned on. I duck right in and quickly strike up a conversation with Adam, a chatty gentleman who tells me that he’s driven down from Leicester over 130 miles away. I ask him why he’s travelled so far and he replies, simply: ‘Because it’s wonderful here. I’m lucky enough to own some private land back home and occasionally have people come over and join me, but here there’s an entire society to engage with and there’s not many other places with such a large community all in one place’.
And it’s true. There really is something about being here that is hard not to enjoy. Perhaps it’s the community spirit. Maybe it’s the amount of likeminded people to hang out with or the size of the site. Maybe it’s just the post-naked-race endorphin high. For me, it’s the freedom and the lack of archaic societal restrictions on embracing my own body. And yes, I also loved the run. Loved it.

Grants for Naturist Research

Many of you will have read the fascinating report last year confirming that being naked makes us happier, or heard the recent radio documentary about the benefits of nakedness.  BN's own Children Deserve Better report published in 2016 was itself based on extensive Naturist research. Those are just a few recent examples of academic research into Naturism, and the invariable results – that Naturism boosts self-esteem and body image – come as no surprise to us!
Did you know that the global Naturist organisation, the International Naturist Federation, has a budget to make grants for Naturist research? If you have an idea for such a research project you can apply for such a grant through BN.  Please contact us setting out what the work would be, as well as the expected benefits, timescale and costs.

Great progress by British Naturism

The 'State of the Nation' talk, given by outgoing Chairman, Judith Stinchcombe at last weekend's National Convention
Membership
Membership success, hooray! it’s finally growing. Our total is up almost 6% on this time last year, with new member numbers up nearly 10%.
It’s not happened by accident, we’ve been working hard over many years to get the right membership benefits in place, working hard to make people realise what we do and how ALL Naturists benefit, and working hard to make it easy to join and renew.
We continue to send ‘lapsed’ mailings to ex-members with encouragement to return and the results are good. We also have a range of surveys that members complete at various stages allowing us to keep improving the services we provide and the activities we engage in.
No doubt the heatwave and our excellent media profile has helped but the single most important change has been the introduction of the New Member Experience Programme which began in January 2017 and has led to a 45% decrease in the number of members leaving.
Events
The discount that we offer to non-members at our events has also had an effect on joiners, and who would not be impressed with the range and variety of the events we now run, thanks to Mark. Old favourites have been enhanced and there have been brand new events with an increase in the number planned for 2019. We’re also thinking more seriously about tailoring events to specific audiences. Our first NKD festival aimed at younger people and families was a huge success and bodes well for the future of Naturism and of BN. We’ve just launched a brand new - and super looking - events and ticketing website just for BN events.
Our programme of overseas group holidays, arranged with full protection for members, by Chalfont Holidays grew to 10 trips in 2018 including some new destinations. The full programme for 2019 will be announced before the end of the year.
We’ve also embraced the changes out there, and the move away from the private, behind locked doors events and supported/promoted many public ones including clothes-optional theatre and gallery visits, nude dining experiences, and naked exercise including running, fitness classes, yoga and walking.
There is definitely evidence that attitudes are changing - not only are venues more willing to open their doors but the tone of the media is coming more onside. Our friend Dr Keon presented a programme about nudity on the BBC World Service, presenters stripped on BBC Radio Sheffield and created a series of podcasts, Marina Fogle talked about the common sense of not covering up in front of your children, a Guardian opinion piece positively ranted at people for NOT getting naked in the hot weather, unpixellated photos were used in a Hastings information website, and the Sunday Telegraph asked the Tate Gallery why they would even think of turning us down. It’s all good news and we must exploit it.
Campaigns
Major news on campaigning this year with a real breakthrough. Nudity in public has been perfectly lawful for many years but even the police didn’t seem to know it… now they do. Thanks to tireless work from the BN legal team BN have persuaded the Police to make sure all officers know the law and have even created a decision-tree online so that there can be no doubt. That webpage is even linked now from the BN membership card.
Just One Person continues to inspire people to talk about Naturism in their social circles. The forum is full of great stories. We’ve now expanded it to encourage people to ‘Bring One Person’ with them and also ‘Recruit One Person’ to BN membership. We also revised our crib sheet called How to talk about Naturism, which helps you to get the conversations started and answer the difficult questions.
The Great British Skinny Dip venues grew in number again, though not by many. We’d like to see more clubs and swims taking advantage of the free publicity available. We’d also like to see each regional committee mount at least one event. It’s also great to announce that a pool in Wigton, near Carlisle has decided to run their own monthly skinny dip sessions following the success of GBSD events there.
People
As a volunteer organisation we need people to come forward to help, and for those people to be well supported. In this day and age the former presents a real challenge and we’ve not been terribly good at the latter. After a couple of false starts, a decision was made to make the Volunteer Co-ordinator a part paid position and we are delighted that Pam Fraser has agreed to take on the role. We have high expectations.
We were also pleased to welcome Mark Bass as our new Vice Chairman and Edwin Kilby as our new International Officer. They  both hit the ground running and made a great contribution especially with regard to a new strategy for the organisation.
There have also been an increase in activity, conversation and future planning within YBN and we look forward to seeing the results.
Admin
Our website is visited by many thousands of people and it is updated regularly. Many thanks to John Weir and his team - a lot of the work is invisible. We’ve got better at keeping it fresh and informative by adding more news stories, which also help with our social media messaging.
Talking of which, we have recently made changes to the way we do our social media - and also our advertising - by once again, outsourcing them to professionals. These are important aspects of our operation and they need to be resourced properly.
Our quarterly magazine just gets better and better and we have plans for the new year to improve it further. There are also a number of newsletters issued regularly that anyone can sign up to keep up to date with BN and Naturist happenings.

Bare With Me – Official Launch

Why is nakedness so scary?
Does nakedness always equal sex?
Could more nakedness change society?
These are questions that many of us want to ask but usually are afraid to ask or do not know who to ask. Independent filmmakers, Natasha Coleman and Stephen Noble ask those questions directly in their new short film, ‘Bare With Me’ which has its official open launch today. Working with members of British Naturism, Natasha and Stephen consider how people feel about being naked with friends, whether it empowers people and gives them confidence, and how naturists take that first step towards social nudity.
The film, already accredited by the 2018 East End Film Festival, pushes the participants to bare their souls, as well as their bodies. They consider how social nudity can boost confidence in our own bodies and respect for others, ultimately combatting the objectification that pervades society.
Director, Natasha Coleman, says:
‘“I wanted to look at nakedness and what it meant through the eyes of 'experts' - those that spend a lot of their time naked. As a female, it's been particularly enlightening to speak to the two women in this documentary and uncover my own fears and discomfort with the naked body. I wanted to find out how a different attitude to nakedness might change society.”
While British Naturism member and participant in the film, Mark says:
‘Making this film really pushed us to consider WHY we live as naturists. The conversations led us to realise how much our lifestyle has affected our outlook and how much better we feel about ourselves and others as a consequence.’
The full film is now live on Vimeo at the following location: https://vimeo.com/293322343
 
@natashajcoleman @stephenforshort

Naked Dining returns!

Fans of dining au naturel take note: Dine Naked Bristol are back after a summer break. Their fifth food-in-the-nude event this year will involve them taking over The Cauldron restaurant in St Werburghs. 
The event, on Friday 12 October, will have upwards of 35 diners tucking into a cheekily-themed four-course feast. The evening’s menu begins with an amuse bouch of ‘well hung cheese’ (home cultured cow’s milk cheese, hung for 8 hours in cheese cloth, smoked salt and salted cucumber).
The clothes-free banquet proceeds with a starter of ‘undressed crab’, and a choice of mains including roast rump with white bits and dumplings, lush sausage, or ‘shy coconut with bejazzled rice’. One vegan option is dubbed ‘In the Gnudi’ (cashew cheese-filled potato dumplings, pickled red cabbage, and autumnal greens).
BN Member Will Bryson, organiser of Dine Naked Bristol, says that despite the innuendo, the events are not sexual. ‘We want more people to be able to experience nudity in a friendly, safe, non-sexual environment.’
Tickets are available here from the Dine Naked Bristol website: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dinenaked

Wonderful Windermere

This weekend British Naturism hosted it's first Woodland Weekend overlooking the banks of Windermere, and what a great weekend it was too!
People travelled from all over the UK to attend this 'back to basics' camping event at Fell Foot Wood. Fortunately the met office made a complete hash of predicting of the weather and it was much better than promised. You could tell that Autumn was fast approaching but there were still plenty of chances to strip off, be it the cosy warm barn with the roaring log fire or those that braved the skinny dip in a local tarn.
We toasted marshmallows and cooked lemonade bread on the open fire, played board games, and walked but mostly talked. The Woodland Weekend highlighted BN’s sense of community, we had a diverse group of people from all over the world, India, America, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and even Scotland! This weekend was about the people, and it’s safe to say with the stories told and the topics discussed, visitors came away enriched through the personal connections made in Windermere.
Not only have plans been made to return to this beautiful and spiritual site, it is in fact already open for booking!  
BN return to Fell Foot wood over the weekend of 14th - 16th June 2019.

A fabulous Essex afternoon

It's not often we get to follow in the footsteps of Time Team but that's what happened to a group of us at Colne Priory this year. When Paul and Gill, BN members in Essex, invited forum members to visit their home near Colchester I didn't really know what to expect. We turned up on one of the many blissfully hot weekends that we had this August. Turning into the grounds we realised that we were next to a rather magnificent 18thcentury manor house with really interesting features.
About twenty of us attended and were made welcome by Paul and Gill. We were given a guided tour of the grounds including an area marked out on a large field with permanent chalk lines. Paul explained that these lines marked the original buildings that made up the Benedictine Colne Priory. The BBC Time Team had been there and uncovered much of the old ruins. The Priory had been built by the De Vere family in or before 1111. Aubrey De Vere wanted to have the monks close to them in the priory and for it to be a family mausoleum. Later it became the principal burial place for the Earls of Oxford.
Paul knows the history of the Priory inside out and he gave us a really interesting tour. The grounds include woodland, parkland and carp lakes. 
Right outside the main house is a swimming pool, spa and numerous sun loungers. The pool was of the infinity style, apparently merging into the lawns and lake beyond. It was great chatting to old friends and new in such a great setting. Some of our members had travelled quite a distance. After our picnic and barbecue lunch we were free to wander the grounds. The photographers among us had a great time as there were so many wonderful pictures to take. The view of the house over the lake and the giant redwood tree being just two. After playing with the croquet set on the lawn most of us took the opportunity to have a go at punting on the lake. Amazingly nobody fell in. Patti, not trusting me in a punt, insisted we use the rowing boat instead. Taking one oar each we rowed around the lake in small circles.... Steve Redgrave eat your heart out, you'd never do such perfect circles as us.
Looking around you could not help but think what a wonderful place this would be for a permanent naturist resort, especially if we could guarantee the same weather.
It was a perfect venue for a day visit and I was so pleased that Paul had judged the day a success. He was treating it as a bit of an experiment and now is looking to do something similar in future. The guests all contributed to Paul and Gill's chosen charity, the RNLI.
 
Andy Wyman
 
 
 
 

It's a busy weekend!

It's not time to hibernate just yet...there are still lots of great events available.  This weekend choose from the following:
Our 'back to basics' Windermere Woodland Weekend set in the stunning Lake District A few places still available! In London, a new, and inspirational event - a member led Women's Clothing Optional Body Positive Activity Day with an excellent range of activities running throughout. A brand new event for the Great British Skinny Dip - a wild swim in the River Stour in Suffolk, organised by the people at Slow Swimming  You'll also find other GBSD events this weekend in Northampton, Lincolnshire, London, Eastbourne, Reading, Watford and South Wales.  We also give our good wishes to the naked dining event in Hertfordshire, which is sold out. Watch out for more of these events - they're proving a big hit! Check out our event calendar pages for swims, naked yoga and other events happening

Legal success in Scotland

Following the success of BN's work securing College of Policing guidelines for Naturists in England and Wales, I decided as SANER Campaigns Co-ordinator to build on the good relationship we have built with the Scottish police and try to bring about similar changes in police practice.

Police Scotland are a single authority which covers the whole of Scotland, and historically attitudes have been fairly conservative towards nudity. Edinburgh is the only city in the UK where world naked bike riders have had to cover their genitals and when police received complaints from the public about Naturists out and about or sunbathing in their garden they would feel obliged to investigate, although arrests in Scotland have been rare.

Attitudes started to change with the SANER region's annual event in Dunoon (The Gathering) where I negotiated with the police for Naturists to enjoy local walks and beaches without fear of arrest. This stood me in good stead when I contacted the Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland to ask if they would be following the College of Policing guidelines introduced in England and Wales. I was contacted by the Chief Inspector at their Policy Unit and over a series of emails agreement was reached to broadly follow the College of Policing guidelines. What helped convince the Chief Inspector to change the guidelines were conversations he also had with the Inspector in Dunoon who gave a glowing report on our attitude and behaviour during the Gathering.

The Chief Inspector had discussions with his counterpart in Command and Control and it was agreed that where a Naturist was using their garden, beaches or out walking naked callers would be advised that it is not illegal to be naked and no further action would be taken by the police. They will only investigate if there are indications of disturbed, disruptive or sexual behaviour. By disturbed they mean behaviour suggesting drug, alcohol or mental health issues. If there is no indication of any behavioural issues police will take no further action.

The new guidance has been distributed to police call centres and frontline staff and is also on the police intranet. 

However members may be interested in a conversation I had with the policy unit Chief Inspector about beaches. He phoned me to advise that he had looked at the BN website and when he saw that a skinny dip was being arranged near Edinburgh he contacted the local station to ensure that officers were aware of the guidelines so swimmers wouldn't be interrupted if members of the public called. I asked him about beach use generally as designated beaches are not accessible for everyone. His reply was that as public nudity is not illegal we are entitled to use any beach in Scotland. He did qualify this by advising that if someone phoned to complain who was deemed vulnerable due to age or disability the police would need to call out and may ask Naturists to cover up. I argued that if someone vulnerable phoned in the police could reduce their alarm by explaining that Naturism is a lawful and healthy lifestyle and there was no intent to cause alarm. He accepted this.

The Chief Inspector also advised that if there was a risk of conflict between a confrontational member of the public and a Naturist unwilling to move away or get dressed the police would call out and mediate. He advised that no Naturist should face arrest and asked me to let him know if any of our members experienced problems. In order to determine whether the new guidelines are sufficient we need to get out there and start using mainstream beaches and countryside walks as well as our gardens. 

Juliette Gill

 

STOP PRESS - Divine Proportions - Clothes Optional Theatre and Dining - Tickets Available

STOP PRESS
The Thursday 8th November date has been changed from a female only audience, and is now open to couples or singles of any gender identification for booking.
Following the success of the clothes-optional theatre production of 'Hair' last November at The Vaults theatre in London, we are delighted to be able to publish details of two further clothes-optional nights.
The show is called Divine Proportions which, we are told, is an 'opportunity to wine, dine and celebrate life'
A truly unique experience where you will feast on a sumptuous five course banquet whilst being led on a mythological journey to heaven and back, through secret sparkling tunnels in the Vault theatre, into subterranean paradise by your mercurial host Dionysus, along with a cohort of cult priestesses. There will be a cavorting band of circus sirens and party starters. You can expect heavenly dishes, cocktails of milk and honey, partying with priestesses, singalong with satyrs and an after-party in The Underworld.
There are adult themes and it's going to be very different from a Naturist event. However, we know that Naturists are eager to take advantage of new nude experiences - and it's definitely that!
 
The first clothes-optional night will be on Thursday 8th November and this has been changed from a female only audience.  It is now open for couples and single people of any gender identification to book.
The second on Saturday 24th November will be for couples and single people of any gender identification. This date is nearly sold out
 
Find out more and buy your tickets

BN217 - Autumn 2018

Welcome to BN 217 - reflecting back on a quite incredible season, and packed full of the latest news, views and reviews from the world of Naturism and BN.  Included in this feature packed edition, we have:
Great features including newcomer Lili, giving us her experiences and thoughts on Naturism and body image; Taylor competing in his first naked 5K; and a comprehensive list of the many benefits of Naturism Our usual round up of event reviews, including the new NKD Festival, Nudestock, The BN National Petanque competition, the SW Rally, and much, much more besides, including naked dinner in a Pullman carriage! It's a heatwave - hold the front page, people are getting naked!  How the media have got themselves in a lather during the recent hot weather. GBSD is imminent - hear the latest updates. The latest update on our big BN campaigns - including 'Just One Person' and the benefits of Naturism. More on our events calendar and Big Days Out. Check out the benefits of the BN Holiday Advice Service, which can help you make that dream holiday a possibility. Reports of recent member holidays - one of the most popular benefits of BN membership. Holidays - this issue we're tackling northern Europe, and some rather fine long haul beaches - fabulous! All the latest news from BN itself, including the EC. ...and much, much more besides, all richly illustrated in full colour!
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of the annual subscription. If you are not a member, you can join us and get your own copy through the post and as a download and other benefits as well.

A new wild swim - September 22

We're delighted to announce a brand new skinny dip in the Great British Skinny Dip, happening next Saturday, in Suffolk.
Thanks to the people at www.SlowSwimming.co.uk, the river Stour between Dedham and Flatford will host a dip at 2:30pm on Saturday 22nd September. We encourage you to turn up in force, bring your friends and perhaps we can make it a regular venue...
Check out the details and also find all other GBSD events happening before the end of #septembare

Torbay Sun Club - 2018 Nude Cruise

For the last six years Torbay Sun Club have organised an annual boat trip from Exmouth. This year, after weeks of glorious sunshine, it took place on the weekend the weather returned to a normal English summer. It was therefore on a somewhat brisk evening that we set sail into the sunset.
The boat had a promenade deck as large as the lounge below but it was only the brave or hearty who stayed on the upper deck for long periods as it was a little "nippy" in the breeze. The cruise sailed up the river towards Exeter passing lots of sailors on their boats and a fair few riverside pubs. Much amused waving took place, with one or two returning the compliment by baring their anatomy in response. However, there are also beautiful views over the river and countryside to enjoy!
The ticket included a glass of Pimms and a very tasty hot pasty (vegetarian options also available). There was also fabulous entertainment provided by Crystal with space to shake, rattle and roll for a couple of hours. We hasten to add this was not caused by the boat or weather. The trip went off very smoothly in every sense. A very fun and different naturist evening.
Thank you to Torbay Sun Club for inviting us. Look out for next year’s event and you too can try a nude cruise!
Charis and Tanis

All roads lead to...Rhodes

Our penultimate BN Members' group holiday of 2018 gets underway at the end of this month. If you are itching to get away, now that the UK weather has returned to what might be considered ‘normal’, the good news is that there are still places available.
Almost twenty guests have already booked their rooms at Rhodes’ finest dedicated nude resort, the Naturist Angel Hotel. This will be the second time we’ve reserved it for one of our popular group holidays and once again guests will able to swim in the large and stunning mineral-water filled swimming pool or laze in the Greek sunshine around it, dining on a full-board basis and enjoying entertainment, all in good company.
There will also be day trips and other activities, perhaps including a tour of the island, visits to Rhodes’ nude beaches, a boat trip and a historical tour of the old Rhodes town.
At this late stage, there might even be a deal available…find out by contacting our sponsor Chalfont Holidays on reservations@chalfontholidays.co.uk or call 01753 740176.

It's a record Septembare!

PRESS RELEASE FROM BRITISH NATURISM
The third annual Great British Skinny Dip takes place all over the UK in #Septembare 2018
The Great British Skinny Dip is British Naturism's upbeat, health-focused, anyone-can-do-it, exciting challenge for people in the UK to discover the health benefits of clothes-free activities and to help change people's attitudes towards body image.
There is a record number of opportunities for people to try costume-free swimming across many varied locations, whilst having fun and raising awareness of how many people’s buttoned-up attitude to the human body is causing them to lead potentially unhealthy lives.
The more we hide away and are ashamed of our bodies - the harder it is to look after them properly and the greater likelihood of people having body confidence issues.
Help people you know to discover the fun, exhilaration and liberation of shaking off your clothes - and your troubles too!
In 2018 there are almost sixty opportunities including beach, lake, river, leisure centre, waterpark, lido, Naturist club and indoor swimming pool skinny dips. There's an outdoor adventure centre, a 'glamping' site and even an island on a Scottish loch.
Where will you go?
 
Update 5th September
The GBSD is well underway and we've had reports from a number of dips:
At Diogenes Sun Club, the third annual charity dip run by Rennie Grove Hospice Care saw twenty people jump into the large outdoor pool in bright, warm sunshine.
The Scottish Outdoor Club combined their Great British Skinny Dip event with their 80th birthday at their home on an island in Loch Lomond
At Balmedie beach. Aberdeenshire, eight dippers enjoyed the long, sandy beach
The 'Daring dawn dip' arranged by Forth Naturists at Yellowcraig beach, East Lothian was attended by a fifteen dippers who gathered at 6:15am and saw the sun rise as they swam. 
At Beacon Tarn in the Lake District, attendees report on a beautiful walk up to the tarn in great company. Several enjoyed the walk back without clothes before enjoying a picnic.
 
Keep up to date
Follow the action through the month at:
Facebook: greatbritishskinnydip
Twitter: GBSD2018
 
Image - thanks to Peter Braddock

A Bank Holiday Skinny Dip

It’s a record-breaking year for The Great British Skinny Dip with more events than ever before!
It gets underway this Saturday, 25 August with the first of over 50 nationwide opportunities for people to discover the exhilaration of swimming without a costume.
Our first event for 2018 takes place in the Lake District with a skinny dip outdoors in the fresh air at Beacon Tarn near Coniston - and the weather is looking good!
Wearing a swimming costume is pretty pointless when you think about it - why put clothes on just to get them wet! Everyone’s the same underneath and it’s life-affirming to swim in a natural lake with the water on every part of your body. It’s great fun too!
Come and join us - find all the details of times, directions and parking here
..and check out all the other dips happening during #septembare
 

 

BN's new Volunteer Co-ordinator

British Naturism is an organisation run and managed by volunteers. We pay a few people to devote time to ensuring that specialist areas of our operation run smoothly and that value members receive for their subscriptions is kept high. Day to day, however, it is people giving their time and energy for the love of it that makes things happen from the senior echelons of the Executive Committee to the people who run sessions at events.
We acknowledged a while ago that we need more volunteers and to give better support to those in post to make sure that BN continues to grow. We came up with the concept of a Volunteer Co-ordinator’ and after a couple of false-starts, where we leaned a great deal about how best to achieve our aims, have now contracted Pam Fraser to take on the role as one of our paid people.
Pam will be dedicated to all volunteer issues and will be:
the go-to person for a volunteer based issues - especially first port of call for people who want to do more for BN maintaining the database of volunteers  providing support to current volunteers - information, problem solving and the tools they need - keeping them enthusiastic and performing. publishing information on what others roles need filling and what the role entails  Pam is relatively new to Naturism and was introduced to BN for the first time last year at Alton Towers by Mark, BN’s Event Manager. Since then Pam has spent every opportunity possible to practice Naturism including through the BN events programme, visiting clubs and festivals. Pam is relishing the opportunity ahead.
‘I am really excited about the role and getting more involved. I really understand the value BN provides to people and the opportunities BN creates for friendship and companionship for its members. It think many people shy away from volunteering as they think it is going to be a massive job, don’t get me wrong, some roles are bigger than others, but there are so many bite-size opportunities available that would really assist BN moving forward. One of my first jobs will be to identify areas where BN need more support and then get in touch with all those who have already put themselves forward. I am a people person at heart and can’t wait to meet everyone and support the organisation more’
Pam will be hosting two sessions at forthcoming events about volunteering and how getting involved is enjoyable, rewarding and most importantly fun! Pam will be inviting volunteers both old  and new to get together at either the National Convention in Birmingham or at Alton Towers. It would be great if you can join Pam to create our new volunteer team.
volunteers@bn.org.uk
 
 

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