We are delighted to be supporting a new BN member-led clothing optional women only event. It’s perfect for long-term Naturist women, those with only some experience and complete newbies.
Activities will include a life drawing workshop, yoga, crafts, open music and poetry session, presentations and talks, naturist information and more. There is also a homemade lunch and all-day refreshments included.
If you’re considering giving naturism a go - women of all ages and backgrounds can absolutely vouch for the positives it’s brought to their lives. Body confidence and empowerment, renewed acceptance of ourselves and others, and a sense of well being and freedom, to name just a few.
Find out more and book your tickets
PRESS RELEASE FROM BRITISH NATURISM
The UK’s Naturist organisation British Naturism is reporting a significant increase in members owing in part to the sweltering weather this summer. Total membership of the organisation that celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2014 is over 4% higher than during the summer of 2017. The organisation has also already achieved more than 80% of their target for members joining British Naturism for the first time.
Spokesman Andrew Welch said:
‘The hot weather has revealed many more Naturists in the UK with people discovering that stripping off is the most sensible way of keeping cool. They are also peeling away decades of harmful attitudes to nudity and finding that being naked is a wholly positive, life-affirming celebration of our basic selves. It is scientific fact that those who spend time without clothes have a greater self-esteem and are happier people.
‘It’s not just the heatwave that has caused people to come and join British Naturism. More and more people are finding the exhilaration and sheer joy there is in being clothes-free and are looking for more opportunities. Our events programme has a variety of events in differing locations catering for a wide range of people and is set to double next year. Members can also join one of our group holidays overseas with activity programmes in Naturist resorts. Such is the popularity that the programme has almost doubled in a couple of years.
Rosslyn Glamping - usually a non-Naturist campsite in north Norfolk, set aside two weeks for Naturists in July. Owners and BN members Claire and Andrew report:
We had a very successful clothing optional fortnight at Rosslyn. The weather was almost perfect with just one thunderstorm - which caused us all to run laughing for cover as we had been enjoying a campfire and watching the lightning. A total of about 50 people enjoyed the two weeks, with some of the early visitors coming back for the last weekend. The new swimming pool, which was at a constant 30 degrees, was a big hit. Games of Viking kubb, boules and volleyball were enjoyed by those who were energetic enough to play. There was a campfire most evenings and sometimes musical instruments and singing; guitars, mandolin, banjolele. An amazing range of subjects were discussed too; easy, relaxed conversation. Everyone got along really well and joined in as much or as little as they wanted to. One of our glamping huts was booked for most of the two weeks, and there were big tents, little tents, campervans both big and small, including an immaculately restored VW campervan and caravans of all sizes. Those that used the facilities in the village; Co-operative, Mace, butchers and bakers and the pub were very jealous that we have such good services on our doorstep. The butchers and deli were particularly popular. We also had a couple of friends who were new to naturism and nervously joined in but soon felt relaxed and happy.
We met some really lovely, friendly people and we need to decide how to build on this experience for the future of our site.
Not long to go now...
The Great British Skinny Dip, British Naturism's campaign to educate people to the health, body image and other benefits of spending time naked takes place in September 2018. Or #septembare as we like to call it.
We're delighted to be able to name food and drink company Rude Health as a supporter of GBSD this year. 'Eat right, stay brilliant,' they say.
We've been busy adding venues around the country and building a NEW website to make it even easier for people to join in - and discover how wonderful it is to feel the water over your whole body.
It's not too late for new venues to be added and so let us know where YOU think would work. The heatwave has made a lot of pool owners and managers more aware of how cool it is (in both senses) to skinny dip - knock on their doors and suggest a clothes-free session. Doubtless many of their existing swimmers will be eager to strip into something more comfortable. They will find plenty of advice and information on our website.
This is the third year of GBSD - let's make it the best yet!
Today, thousands of young people are pushing back against a society that tells them how they need to look and act to be accepted, with little regard for their own opinions. One of the main culprits is social media, which tells us that we must be slender and toned, and that our own bodies must never be exposed, under any circumstances. In this article, Lili Thorpe talks about her own perspective on body image, and how her recent introduction to Naturism has opened her eyes to a better way to live.
I make my living as a life model for drawing classes and photographers, meaning that I am well accustomed to nudity, but also very familiar with how cruel and judgmental people can be. I would describe my appearance as average; average weight, average height, the sort of person who blends into the crowd. Like everybody, there are a few things about my appearance I believe could be better, but I’m fairly happy with how I look and strongly believe that being satisfied with yourself is essential to happiness. A couple of years ago I was carrying a little more weight and things were not so good. Many people I worked with told me that I was fat and ugly and should certainly not be working as a model. At the same time my family was sceptical about my choices, insisting that exposing my body was immoral because our own bodies are somehow wrong. These were difficult times, I can totally accept if somebody chooses not to pick me as a model because I don’t fit the vision, but the vindictive need of people to shame and insult me and try to destroy my self worth seemed both harsh and pointless.
I was recently invited to join a naked hike with a group of Naturists with the aim of normalising nudity and promoting respect. My desire to encourage respect caused me to accept, but the prospect also caused my demons to resurface. Would I be judged for how I looked? More importantly, as I am not a Naturist and was meeting a group of strangers, would I be excluded because I was not part of “the club”? The prospect of walking around naked was also daunting; although much of my work involves nudity, I don’t live naked even around my own home. Finally, like most people in my line of work, I have experienced my share of salacious behaviour; often comments, but occasionally men who assume it is acceptable to touch me because I am modelling nude . Would the fact that I was joining a group of naked people, many of them men, mean that I was putting myself in danger?
The simple answer to those questions was “No”. The group comprised 20 people, both men and women, ranging from their 20s to their 60s. They casually stripped for the walk as they arrived, and didn’t seem to notice whether or not I was naked. They had clearly found a peace in themselves and with their bodies that I was still struggling to reach, as the nudity seemed entirely incidental to them. Perhaps more importantly, they were welcoming. People introduced themselves as and when I met them, and asked a bit about me, meaning that I felt they were very happy to have me join the group without making me feel like the strange newcomer to be stared at. This to me was the most remarkable and unexpected aspect of the experience. The fact people had removed their clothes also seemed to mean that they had removed any judgements, insecurities and barriers to interacting with others. Without clothes and accessories to indicate status, we were just a bunch of people. I found that people spoke more positively and freely than I have encountered in a new clothed environment. It was also clear that people’s bodies were different and that it really doesn’t matter. This is the self-respect and immediate acceptance of others that I crave for.
The walk itself was fun, it was a glorious sunny day in a beautiful woodland setting, but ultimately it was the people that made the difference. I was asked whether I would encourage other people to try naturism and social nudity, and I certainly would. Although being free and naked was itself enjoyable, it was the fact that my eyes were opened to how superficial we can be in much of our lives. Nakedness made me realise how unimportant our looks are, how much potential there is to interact with the people we meet and, perhaps most important, how much better we feel when we stop comparing ourselves to others. Even better, it made me realise how much better we feel when we receive respect from others and have the freedom to be ourselves, rather than trying to match a stereotype. I would strongly encourage people to at least try being naked, as even this single experience has affected my outlook on the world in an entirely positive way. Maybe the secret to achieving happiness is to accept ourselves as we are and respect each other as equals.
Although we spent a lot of time lazing around the beautiful pool or strolling to the nearby naturist beaches we had plenty of activities to entertain our group.
We enjoyed a memorable boat trip to Keri Caves, which you can only get to by sea. There was time for swimming in the crystal clear blue sea around the boat, which we followed with a coach tour of the island. We visited the nearby Turtle Rescue Centre, designed to inform people about the native Loggerhead Turtles, followed by a walk on to the nearby Gerakas beach with naturist sections at either end. Later in the week a coach trip took us to an olive oil factory and museum showing traditional methods of crushing the fruit and making the oil; a visit to a small winery with an opportunity to sample the products; and the highlight of the day, Shipwreck Bay with a view of the famous beached ship which is only possible from a vantage point on the top of a cliff viewable by maximum two people at a time. We had lunch at a taverna with spectacular views out to sea.
In the evenings we completed in quizzes, and enjoyed a greek evening with a traditional greek menu.
Thanks to Natasha who with her parents and other members of staff worked tirelessly to ensure everyone’s comfort, also not to forget their ever present dog Poochie who was clearly part of the family. The hotel was of a very high standard in all rooms and meals were all taken al fresco.
Would I go again? Certainly hope so.
Clive Edwards
Twenty BN members arrived at Spilt to board the Majestic for a cruise around the National Park Islands, in the Adriatic off the coast of Croatia. A free drink was given by the Captain to welcome everyone and we were taught how to say cheers in Croatian. Each day the boat sailed at 7am, with breakfast at 8am and a three course lunch at 1pm. Those wanting an evening meal did so on shore, but the bar opened at 11am and I’m sure did not close. Sunday bought us into the KRKA National Park where you can see some amazing waterfalls, the group were ferried ashore in the rubber dingy which in itself added to the excitement of the day.
The Captain's dinner was a highlight, we anchored off shore so we could be naked, the Captain and his crew sang Croatian songs to us and in return we sang, On Ilkley Moor Bah Tat and the Floral Dance. The Captain and some members of the crew stripped off after dinner and we danced till early in the morning, a brilliant evening.
The week was spent swimming off the boat, snorkelling, swimming in the coves to shore for ice cream or coffee, walking naked, the odd group daytime quiz, playing uno/cards, sightseeing as most of the tourist sites are open until 9pm, or just sitting in the shade with a book, there is plenty of room to join in or do your own thing. The cabins are spacious and clean, the crew extremely helpful, and there is a huge high tech TV in the dining room taking you through every detail of the itinery and allowing you to watch programmes in any language, the WiFi on board allows you to keep in touch. The weather was hot, the views spectacular, the sea life fascinating and the sunsets remarkable, a truly brilliant week.
BN Members can view a selection of images from the cruise holiday - log in required
Fun in the Atlantic surf and skinny dipping in local lakes were part of the Portuguese experience for Paula and Peter Starling
In previous years we had visited Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve, well known for its Mediterranean beaches. This is a very popular tourist destination and its central coast between Lagos and Faro is now lined with villas, hotels, bars and restaurants. On this latest trip we decided we would escape the crowds and stay in the Alentejo region, a far less developed region just north of the Algarve. In this region you can explore the rugged interior of Portugal as well as visit the spectacular beaches on Portugal’s western Atlantic coast. In July and August you will find the region buzzing with Portuguese holidaymakers but at the time of our visit in late Spring we enjoyed warm weather without the crowds!
Our chosen route was Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander and then to drive across northern Spain into Portugal. This route cuts out the huge drive through France and gets you to the sunshine much quicker! The overnight ferry crossing arrived in Santander at 6.15pm and we had intended spending the first night at a nearby campsite, but we were wide awake, however, so decided to crack on and not stop . The roads were empty and with a couple of coffee breaks we had covered the 560 miles to our first site, Monte Naturista O Barão by daybreak. Dutch owners Laura and Jeff made us very welcome and we were soon all set up and ready to relax.
Monte Naturista O Barão is a small friendly campsite with generous size pitches and electric hookups. Pitches are available in the sun or shade and for those without a tent, caravan or motorhome, there is rental accommodation. Facilities include showers, bar, bistro and a terrace overlooking the beautiful countryside. There is also a lovely salt water swimming pool to burn up those calories or just chill and relax by.
If you a fancy a beach day, the official naturist beach Praia do Salto is only 30 miles to the south west. Car parking was easy and there are steps leading down the cliff to the sandy beach. We went there several times and had enormous fun in the Atlantic surf.
The total cost of a pitch at Monte Naturista O Barão, including 2 adults and electricity is around 28 euros. We stayed for 28 nights so paid in total 784 euros less 10% INF discount. The INF discount of 78 euros (approx £68) easily covered our annual BN membership fee!
We started our return home via a second naturist camping site in Portugal, Quinta do Maral. This is also a rural site and is located on the Portugese/Spanish border near the 13th century castle of Marvao. It is very important that you don’t use sat navs but follow the directions given on the web site, otherwise you may end up on the narrow road up to the castle with nowhere to turn around - as we did!. Quinta do Maral is a lovely, peaceful site, well managed by the owners, Paula and Nuno. The facilities are much the same as Monte Naturista O Barão although the pool is much smaller. They also have some accommodation to rent.
Although a long way from the coast, one aspect of this location that we did particularly like was the opportunity for skinny dipping in some of the local lakes. Paula and Nuno told us of two - Barragem da Apartadura and Barragem de Povoa. We visited both and it was such an exhilarating experience to swim naked in the middle of the countryside. We did encounter a dog walker and a cyclist but neither seemed surprised or perturbed by our naked escapades!
Camping pitches and some shepherds huts are still available for this Naturist fortnight at Rosslyn Glamping site in Norfolk. It runs from the 13th - 29th July. As well as the permanent shepherds huts there is also space for tents, campervans and motorhomes. New for 2018 is a fabulous swimming pool! There have been plenty of bookings and day visits are also possible.
Find out more and book your place at www.rosslynglamping.com or www.facebook.com/rosslynglamping
BN and Eastbourne Naturist Swim are pleased to be collaborating on a weekend of activities on the South Coast in August.
On the evening of Saturday 11th, there is a visit to the award-winning contemporary art gallery the Towner Art Gallery in the centre of the town. Clothes for visitors are optional.
On Sunday the 12th there will be a day out at the Naturist beach at Norman's Bay.
Other activities for the weekend are being planned.
Find out more and buy your tickets for the gallery now
The UK’s biggest and best Naturist festival will see guests arriving this weekend ready for the official start on Monday. Thorney Lakes caravan and camping park will play host to around 400 people for British Naturism’s landmark summer event - and it promises to be a fantastic week in the sun.
The event is packed with activities on the park and nude visits to local places with music and entertainment every night. A 5 or 10K naked run takes place on the second weekend and you don’t have to be staying at Nudefest to compete.
Read more at nudefest.co.uk.
Despite the news we announced a few weeks ago confirming that Naturism is perfectly lawful, a number of high-profile publications have come out during the heatwave with nonsense about nude sunbathing. It's misleading, irresponsible and - worst of all - based on a social media post from a year ago. Obviously a slow news week.
BN have since been courted by other media outlets (a nice one for example in The Guardian) and have taken the opportunity on behalf of all Naturists and wannabe Naturists (of whom there are many more in this hot weather seeing the complete sense of taking it all off so as to cool down) to put the record straight.
Being naked in a public place can only be a crime if the naked person undressed with the intention of causing alarm and distress.
Are we clear on that? There is no need to 'warn' your neighbours that you are sunbathing naked (or even topless, as one article had it - we're in the 21st Century, did you know that?) in the same way that you wouldn't consider warning them about the wafting smells from your soon-to-be-lit BBQ, embarking on playing noisily with your kids or anticipating cheering loudly for all the street to hear when Harry Kane scores his seventh in Russia.
Let's grow up. We're all naked underneath, in all our various shapes and sizes. It's only social convention that suggests certain body parts must always be covered up. It's right to challenge that, to reclaim our humanity and to realise that the world doesn't end if someone sees a nipple or backside when they didn't expect to. It's a wonderful feeling to be naked in the sunshine and fresh air. Try it, and you never know, the neighbours might decide to join you.
Following the success of the performance to a clothing-optional audience at Stockwell Playhouse earlier this year, we’re pleased to bring you another chance to watch the show naked - at the Edinburgh Fringe on 21st August.
Come as you are! Fully dressed, partially dressed or completely naked – you choose.
Skin Deep is a musical all about self-image, body confidence, bullying, marketing, cosmetic surgery, inner demons, shopping for clothes, size’ism, self-worth, diets, weight, exercise. Song and dance sketches – comedy but with an underlying poignant message!
Who hasn’t tried a lifestyle change, or attempted some potentially harmful technique in order to “improve” when in reality they’re already beautifully unique and wonderful? Who really acknowledges their inner beauty already outshines the naked surface?
Our boys in the show lead up to their famous naked finale where they feel empowered to strip off to celebrate their body confidence. It’s the Full Monty, but the lights stay on for just that little bit longer!
Buy tickets for all performances here (the clothing-optional one is only on the 21st August
As BN's culinary correspondent I was delighted to attend the latest naked pop-up restaurant. After the huge success that naked restaurants have had in Bristol in the last year it was really pleasing to have one in the South East. Robert and Pauline the organisers found an unusual venue in the form of a tea room called We R Cakes in Hertfordshire. Sarah, the resident chef, is used to putting on special Pop Up evenings with various themes and for us it was Mexican. All 26 tickets were sold and we sat down to a really excellent meal.
The evening was so much better than our evening at Bunyadi, the naked pop up restaurant in London two years ago. The food was tastier and in greater supply. It was also a far more sociable occasion with diners able to mix freely. Sarah and her staff had not catered for a Naturist group before and they enjoyed the event as well. Before the evening had ended Sarah was suggesting themes for the next nude dining evening.
In the last eight months I have attended a naked bike ride, naked theatre, naked art gallery and now a naked restaurant in the region. It's all beginning to seem quite natural... the way it should be.
Andy Wyman
What a fabulous clothes optional day June 24th was at Abbey House Gardens, with temperatures rising to over 20 degrees, around 350 people came through the garden's gate, not all were Naturists, first in was a coach load of tourists who stayed until nearly lunch time!
As you can imagine the lawns were soon dotted with, mainly naked, bodies enjoying the peace and beauty of these lovely gardens and the Coy Carp Café was kept busy all day serving tea/coffee and a slice of cake
Will the next clothes-optional day at Abbey House Gardens on July 22nd match this wonderful day?
You know that temperatures are soaring over Britain when at least one national newspaper prints a picture of a young woman sunbathing in her bra and pants during her lunch hour, taking advantage of the weather and adapting to her circumstances.
Or perhaps she's using a modicum of common sense? When it's cold, it's intuitive - and socially acceptable - to keep putting on layers until you are warm enough. So, on days like today when it's sweltering and we are sweating in our clothes, feeling mighty uncomfortable, irritable and unable to concentrate, it should be equally acceptable to do the opposite; remove layers until you feel cool again. That probably means all layers, until all that protects you is your own skin. Surely it's not just Naturists that see the sense in that?
Sadly, decades of social conditioning about what's 'right' or is 'appropriate behaviour' (and what's not) in our society possibly mean that the woman in the picture consciously kept her underwear on when it would have been more sensible to take it off too. We're all (broadly) the same underneath and yet we cling to small strips of fabric even when we don't need to for the sake of 'modesty'. The purpose of clothes is to keep us warm and dry, and you don't need either aspect during a heatwave. You may be reading this and thinking of the social status conferred by what we wear, but do you really need that artificial boost to the ego when you are relaxing in the sun?
Naturism is also perfectly legal and we've also just published this article that shows how we've worked with the police to make the situation even clearer. Sunbathing naked in your garden is an easy way to start - and so what if the neighbours can see? How can anyone argue with your desire to cool off in the most sensible way?
There's plenty going on in Naturism in the UK and there's a lot more activity than just sunbathing. Check out our event pages and places to go and find your perfect way to celebrate the sun - and yourself. Millions of people around the world have discovered the wonderful feeling that comes from spending time without clothes, come and join them. Nothing's better!
Along with the the rest of the country, Cornwall basked in glorious sunshine at the weekend and was perfect for the BN South West Rally at Lower Poulza Post, near Bude on the North Cornwall coast.
When the former site owner Bernard Clarke passed away last August, there was some doubt in members minds as to whether the site would continue, but Tilly, Bernard’s daughter, along with volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide a beautiful venue with level pitches, hook-ups and excellent facilities and is a real gem. The word is “We are open and thriving”
20 members attended the rally coming from Wales to Wilshire, Devon and Cornwall. We occupied 11 pitches for the complete weekend of sunshine, with BBQ’s, garden darts and a Cornish Cream tea (cream on top!) to celebrate BN’s Ladies Day and to finish a brilliant weekend.
Nudefest was a regular topic of conversation with many saying they hadn’t attended before or not since we changed sites, we expect some booking from those keen to meet up again.
Check out Lower Poulza Post website.
The super summer weather has been allowing us to make use of the great beaches this country has to offer. Despite what many people think, it is perfectly legal to strip off on any beach, a beach does not have to be 'official' or 'designated' for Naturists to be able to use it. Of course, it is easier to select those ones that have been used for costume-free sunbathing over many years - you are likely to find more like-minded people and those who might want to complain about normal human beings enjoying the sunshine stay away.
Colin wrote in about his day at Studland:
My partner Anne and I went to the BN beach day at Studland and despite cloudy weather forecasts we had bright sunshine most of the day. It was Anne’s first visit to Studland or in fact any BN event and she was pleased to see how good the beach is. Great to be welcomed with a coffee at the BN gazebo.
Thanks to Colin and Anne for the picture too.
We’re delighted to announce that top food and drink company Rude Health are now supporting the Great British Skinny Dip! Stripping things back to the essentials and being healthy in your skin is what the Great British Skinny Dip is all about so it’s a great combination.
The Great British Skinny Dip takes place every year in #septembare, and we’re always looking for venues. Please let us know if you can help.
Do something exhilarating…
At the turn of the century, lobbying from Naturist groups - including BN - persuaded the lawmakers to exclude Naturism from the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (SOA) for England and Wales. It seemed like a victory, but in practice, it was a considerable disappointment that not much changed in how Naturists were treated by the police.
It’s a pleasure to now bring you the news that long, hard work and negotiation over many years between BN’s legal team and the authorities has generated a wonderful result - for all Naturists.
Firstly, here are some extracts from the House of Lords amendment 343A of the Bill which the Government accepted and placed into law as Section 66 of the SOA. It was made plain that it was to deal with flashing.
Baroness Walmsley:
My concern in this part of the Bill has always been to protect naturists going about their perfectly harmless business and to prevent their falling foul of over-zealous police officers and magistrates. My amendment should also protect naturists from mischievous members of the public who might seek to use Clause 70 as a defence against accusations of voyeurism.
Lord Lucas:
We are here trying to deal with flashers - disgusting characters they are. We are not trying to deal with someone who for some other reason exposes his genitals. I would especially cite in this context the streaker. I do not want someone who streaks at a Lord’s cricket match stuffed on the sex offenders’ register. That is not a sexual offence; it may be due to a bit of alcohol and exuberance, but has nothing whatever to do with intentionally offending the public and ... we should require that someone knows and intends that someone should be caused alarm and distress. Just because your maiden aunt, whom you know shrieks at the sight of a naked ankle, happens to see you and you know that she happens to be around should not stop you sunbathing in the nude in your own garden if that is what you want to do.
In summing up the position for the Government, Lord Falconer made the situation abundantly plain:
Do we intend to catch the streaker? No, we do not.
Do we intend to catch the Naturist? No, we do not.
Sexual Offences Act 2003 - The failures in policing
So, it had been made clear by Parliament that Section 66 of the Act was to deal with ‘flashing’. Streaking and Naturism were specifically excluded. Unexpectedly, however, the Police interpreted any call to them from the public prompted simply by the sight of someone naked, as the caller being caused by ‘alarm or distress’. If that didn’t work, they sometimes fell back on section 5 of The Public Order Act 1986, where no intent, nor motive, nor guilty mind is required.
Public Order Act 1986 – Wrongly targeted
Section 5 of The Public Order Act was created to deal with people who joined in riots without forethought, possibly people who who wouldn’t ordinarily become involved in violence or theft, and for hooligans running amok creating a climate of fear. They have no motive for their actions and here lay a difficulty in prosecuting these plainly criminal actions because the law requires mens rea, in other words a motive to complete the conditions for a crime to be committed, and the Act addressed this loophole - and rightly so. But should it include Naturists? Naturism was never mentioned, never included nor ever intended by Parliament to be addressed by this Act.
In 2010 we (Peter and Christine) were ourselves tackled by our local police over garden naturism following complaints to us by an intrusive and bigoted neighbour, but we persuaded the police to accept that Naturism, along with simply being seen by someone when naked was, in fact, lawful. EC members were aware of our success and later requested that we assist a rambler who had been walking naked across the fells in the Leeds area in 2012. In this case the judge in the initial hearing decided that the walker was guilty under section 5, but we worked with him and his barrister on his appeal which was successful. He was fortunate in having extremely skilled representation. The outcome of this case gave us our first insights into how we could address errant policing. We recognised the procedural errors being made by the force and considered how we could reach every police officer in the land, which at that time wasn’t possible.
We considered other ways and came up with two. One lay in campaigning to change public attitudes so that people didn’t immediately call the police when seeing a naked person and we worked on all branches of the media with the Campaigns team. The other strategy was to stop arrests if we could, but if not, then perhaps we could ensure cases didn’t go to court by preventing charges being raised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). BN sent a letter to The Director of Public Prosecutions with a request for him to review the situation and, once he had appreciated the erroneous arrests being made, he issued guidance to Prosecutors. Much of that letter was taken verbatim and is used today as the formal CPS guidance in England and Wales. It made a significant change in charging and policing. We attended several cases in 2012-15, often accompanied and supported by BN member Andrew Calow. Since September 2013 when the guidance was issued arrests for Naturism have virtually disappeared.
A hiccough along the way
In 2014 the government set about reforming the Anti-social Behaviour laws. This was nothing surprising as the existing law hadn’t been working properly and ‘ASBOs’ were being mocked. Anyone could buy an ‘ASBO’ from a card shop or market stall for almost anything: failing to wash dishes, staying out late, whatever. In truth this was the measure of the Act itself. There wasn’t anything in it that wasn’t already dealt with under The Public Order Act 1986 or other existing law.
The draft of the new Act was vague and introduced strange new ideas such as action being taken if matters were thought to be ‘just and convenient’ which is absolutely meaningless in daily life. According to The Human Rights Conventions anyone must be aware that they are committing a crime before they do so and must also be aware of the scale of penalty they will face if they go ahead. Testing whether something was ‘just and convenient’ meant that people would be judged after they had done something to find out if the law had had been broken or not! Another attempt was made by seeking to use the wording ‘nuisance or annoyance’. Well, let’s face it, we can all think of things we find a nuisance or annoyance - it doesn’t and shouldn’t make them criminal. We worked with members of both Houses of Parliament and were instrumental in changing the law on tackling anti-social behaviour and it must be demonstrable that it addresses a harm categorised as ‘harassment, alarm or distress’. This legal phrase is longstanding, has a particular meaning within the law and is well tried and tested in the courts so prosecutors, defending solicitors and barristers and police officers all know what it means. Under Anti-social Behaviour Act it is possible to issue a Community Protection Notice (CPN), but it would seem to be structurally impossible against Naturism as Section 66 of The Sexual Offences Act was predicated upon the proposition that the human body does not create ‘Alarm or Distress’ of itself.
Over the next four years there were only occasional cases. Often they were in more unusual circumstances like doing home maintenance at the front of the house, or driving across a town. When anything reached court we liaised with barristers and attended court proceedings making clear that British Naturism was following the proceedings very closely. We realised that The Equalities Act of 2010 afforded Naturists with a protected status, as much as say Buddhists and Pagans who have communities, land and follow a “Philosophical Belief” though they have no deity, and included this as an element in cases. The prosecutions all failed so we reasoned that we were in a position to take our findings to the Justice System itself and hold discussions on the general procedures for policing.
In the Dark
We felt that often it was a training issue; a police officer who rarely if ever encountered Naturism was using his or her own judgement and common sense when dealing with a complaint, because he or she was not aware of what the law says in this tiny and unfamiliar area. The Government had created a College of Policing during the passage of earlier legislation and this seemed to be the natural place for updating any training issues. Getting an updated briefing into the Policing Manual now seemed a good way forward, so we arranged a meeting with the highest ranking officer in the College of Policing.
That meeting was very positive and constructive. There was a clear understanding at the highest level of what had gone wrong and why, and a recognition of the need for training improvements for frontline officers and control room staff in order that complaints could be responded to appropriately. Months of delicate negotiation followed, where we presented possible approaches to training and they were run past various committees and their legal department. This kind of thing always takes much patience and time. However, in April this year we reached a mutually satisfactory solution, and the resultant preamble and “decision tree” for dealing with complaints about public nudity has been uploaded to the Police Training manuals. A successful and amicable conclusion!
Harnessing the Internet
The BN membership card carries the link to a ‘Policing’ page on the BN website which takes a Police Officer/duty solicitor straight to the Police website where there is “chapter and verse” on public nudity and which makes it abundantly clear that no further action need be taken in cases where someone is being a Naturist or where there is no inappropriate behaviour. It differentiates the passive nudity of Naturism from that of sexual offenders, people trying to cause trouble for others, or those who may have mental health issues, and details appropriate police responses to fit each case.
The Changes
The police have agreed that intentional and active use of genitals to aid abusive behaviours falls under Section 4A of the Public Order Act. They are intentional acts which require no interpretation. They also agree that Naturists must be treated equally with others. This is of considerable benefit to police officers as they are called to complaints by the public and rightfully expect that there is some mischief to which they will have to attend; normally unpleasant. Until now they have had no guidance, training or resource to rely upon and have ended up in confrontations which sometimes have gone to court only to find that the case is lost and the state has been obliged to repay all legal costs.
Much of our work has been in addressing Section 5 (the section without intent) of the Public Order Act, and obtaining recognition that this cannot be applicable to Naturism as there is no activity that is directed towards anyone. In consequence, consideration of Naturism by police officers under Section 5 has been removed from the training system. At last, it's recognised that Section 5 of the Public Order Act simply doesn't apply to Naturists!
It has taken many years, and there MAY still be occasional mistakes; to err is be human after all. But we are reassured that we can deal with any error quickly and probably on the spot via web links and smartphones. We hope that this initiative will give rise to much greater security provided that members are sensible, sensitive to others and their personal space, and never accept that Naturism is wrong nor accept a Caution for it!
Peter and Christine Wright, BN legal team
Blog: https://www.bn.org.uk/blogs/entry/1560-policing-2018-onwards/
Thanks to Donna and John for the picture illustrating the simple - and lawful - pleasure of being naked in the open air
Under an hour from Bastia lies the Naturist resort of ‘Tropica’, a vast, natural area of parkland on the seafront in Corsica and where we’ve just returned from another successful BN Members’ Holiday. Guests stayed in modern, well-appointed bungalows in lush green surroundings, a 3-minute walk from the very long (6km) naturist beach on the east side of Corsica. This truly relaxing environment led to a wonderful week where we were ‘at one with nature’. Tropica has its own beach bar, but there is also a bar and separate restaurant at nearby Club Corsicana and a delightful ‘favourite’ of our group called ‘Chez Rose Marie’ reached on foot along countryside/beach tracks by the river where you are greeted by the a chorus of frogs croaking and bird song in the morning or in the evening.
Activities included a BBQ at the site owner’s (rather splendid) house along the beach, where we swam in a huge pool; an early morning stretch session accompanied by relaxing music and bird-song; a trip to the other-worldly Roman remains and modern sculptures on the hilltop plateau at Aléria; a drive into the mountains where pink villages decorate the dark green hillsides; and a morning at Naturist resort Riva Bella where we met donkeys and llamas before a stroll on the beach. During the days we swam in the clear sea with sand underfoot, walking along the sandy beach or taking a stroll along meandering countryside tracks - where walking without clothes was possible. Some also chose to relax with a massage from Marielle on the beach, who was accompanied by her beautiful companion Max, a pure white Labrador who sat quietly by her side. We dined as a group most evenings, enjoying quizzes and card games - and great company. This was a gentle, relaxing, captivating week of escape that we were all very sad to leave.
There are more BN Members’ holidays to come this year, check them out!
As always our members' quarterly magazine s a great read, full of news, views and reviews, all brought to life with full colour throughout. If you are a member of BN you can download a digital copy - as well as all BN magazines back to 2004. In this issue we're covering:
Get fit, get naked - we take a look at the many different opportunities there are to keep fit - from cycling to Yoga to Tai-Chi, there's a whole new world out there!
A review of our Bournemouth and Blackpool weekends
Naturism in Northern Ireland - getting busier…
Naked Dining - Bristol organiser Will tells us how his venture came about - and it may just whet your appetite for some of the other similar ventures that are happening this year!
Naked Theatre - we review the recent production of Skin Deep that was clothing-optional for the audience
Naturism and veganism - is there a correlation? Jane discusses.
Looking for holiday ideas? Check out our reviews of recent group holidays to El Portus, and our Austrian ski-ing trip - as well as member reviews from Portugal, Croatia, Kos and Montenegro.
Judith Stinchcombe looks back over her time as BN Chair, and remembers some of the highlights of her time.
Comprehensive listings of clubs, swims and events
…and much more besides.
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of your annual subscription. If you are not a member, you can join us and get your own copy and other benefits as well.
The first ever NKD closed its doors on bank holiday Monday to rave reviews.
NKD is British Naturism’s youth and family festival and welcomed around 150 guests over the weekend. The weather was amazing, three days of splendid sunshine
There was loads to do from the Holi-style paint fight to the massive 25m long slip ‘n’ slide, campfire sing-a-longs to laughter yoga. There was a great night out at Splashdown waterpark. Everyone got involved.
The best thing about NKD though was the people. A new, younger community was forged, families bonded, we laughed, played and sang together.
The NKD spirit is truly alive and will return May 24th - 27th 2019.
Get it in your diary now!
See the pics! BN Members can access galleries of images from all events, including NKD and Splashdown (log in required)
A group of 15 flew out to Crete with Chalfont Holidays to join the BN group holiday. Emerging over the mountain top and driving down the hairpin bends, avoiding the goats (who wander everywhere) we were all aware of the spectacular view before us as we arrived at the stunning coastal resort of Vritomartis.
At this lovely hotel we either enjoyed sitting on the verandas or dipping into the super large pool, both with stunning views of the sea, or we joined in the plentiful hotel activities; pétanque, archery, shuffleboard to name a few. We ran our own BN aqua class in the afternoons with lots of ‘noodle’ fun, and had several ‘BN only' group trips including one to the local village Chora Sfakion where we enjoyed a lunch at our host’s family taverna. One morning we ventured further afield to the ancient parts of Anopolis followed by a splendid and plentiful lunch with raki that didn’t stop flowing, and on another day to a war museum followed by delicious tastings at a winery.
The more adventurous of our group ventured out with the hotel party for challenging spectacular gorge walks and a jeep safari. The hotel entertainment ran every night with even a little Greek dancing thrown into the mix. On a couple of early evenings we were kept guessing with Andrew’s quizzes while drinking some excellent local wine.
The week went quickly, but the memories will last.
Fancy a group holiday? Find out all about those to come this summer and beyond
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.
