An Eastern March

An Eastern March

Time for a look at several upcoming events as we enter spring. For the Month  of;
MARCH
On Saturday 7th March 
There is the much anticipated Quiz CALL MY BUFF hosted by our very own Quiz Meister;  Mupp (aka Mike)
The evening promises to be full of fun and participation.  Checkout the details below;
 
We also have the naked dining event in Hemel Hempstead on 14 March, organised by Rick. This is going to be a well attended event. At the time of writing there is one room left available for booking. Below are the details;
 
Next  we have the Wilstone Naturist Walk on Friday 20th March. headed up by John. Walking is proving very popular amongst Eastern Region Members. Check out the Walk details below;
 
Our members in the Eastern Region are often joined by members from LASER and other close by regions. Together we have many well attended events that are welcoming and friendly. ideal to invite family or friends whom may want to try naturism for the first time..
Andy
 

NORTHAMPTON SUN GROUP SWIM

NORTHAMPTON SUN GROUP SWIM

Here is a reminder that Northampton Sun Group have there monthly Tastet swim session tomorrow SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY.
With a Sauna, Steam Room, Cafe. And of course swimming Pool.
Why not go along and join in the fun, meet friends and make new friends.
Check out the details below;
Bring a friend or family member along!

Sue Keeping

Sue Keeping

Sue Keeping
23rd October 1949 to 13th January 2020
Sue Keeping was the South West Regional Co-ordinator from 2015-2019 and a lifelong Naturist. Members may have met her at Nudefest and other events, delivering workshops and sessions on Kinesiology.  She was an energetic lady, always interested in others and always with a smile on her face.
Her involvement with BN led to her appearing on BBC Spotlight - the South West 6.30pm news slot - with strategically placed teapot, mugs and cake in a discussion about tourism and the "Buff pound".
A wise and capable lady, able to put forward a good argument and not afraid to challenge convention, Sue was a great ambassador for Naturism and will always be in our hearts The Nudefest Team
Although we only knew Sue for a relatively short time once you met her you would think you had been friends for years. It was an honour to be known as her friend. She will be missed by all.
Mike Whitcombe and Shân Allen

A North West GBSD for the 'Women in Naturism' campaign

A North West GBSD for the 'Women in Naturism' campaign

A British Naturism 'Women in Naturism'  campaign comes to Penketh.
As part of the popular ‘Women in Naturism’ campaign, Ladies will be admitted free of charge at the Penketh skinny dip events, with the next event being scheduled for Friday 29th May 7-9pm (subject to change, please check using the link above). Please arrive before 7.20pm - As advertised on the Great British Skinny Dip website.
Ladies making their first appearance at a Naturist swim can request a personal welcome with assistance from one of our ‘Women in Naturism’  North West campaign coordinators, please notify us in advance and arrive around 7pm.
The price for Males remains at just £6 for the 2 hour Naturist swim. There is no need to book – Just turn up, but for your first visit please bring Photo I.D. and proof of address.
Any questions, please email: nwnewsletter@bn.org.uk
Event location…
Penketh Pool, Honiton Way, WA5 2EY.
Ron  (Team GBSD)
 
 

 

Abbey House Gardens

Abbey House Gardens

We are pleased Abbey House Gardens will continue to offer Clothing Optional days during 2020.  BN volunteers from the South West will be there to promote naturism, encouraging members of the public to enjoy the gardens as nature intended.    Entry from 11am to 5.30pm   Sunday 26th April 2020 Sunday 31st May 2020 Sunday 28th June 2020 Sunday 26th July 2020 Sunday 23rd August 2020 Sunday 20th September 2020 Abbey House Gardens

South West Region Meeting 2020

South West Region Meeting 2020

South West Region Meeting 2020
The Annual South West Region meeting will be held at The Bear Inn, High Street, Street, Somerset BA16 0EF on Saturday afternoon 4th April commencing at 3pm.
All BN members having attended the meeting, will be able to enjoy a swim and sauna as guests of  the Larches Naturist Swimming Club at their monthly swim from 5.30 - 6.30pm, just a short walking distance away, before returning to the Bear Inn for dinner at 7pm.
The meeting and the dinner at the Bear Inn will be clothed as we do not have exclusive use.
To register attendance and receive full details please email Graham Holland, Regional Secretary  graham.holland@bn.org.uk

This Summer at Milton Keynes Museum

This Summer at Milton Keynes Museum

This June we have the opportunity for another Museum visit. following on from the success of the trip to Christchurch Mansion  Museum in Ipswich last March, we now have a visit organised to Milton Keynes Museum on  Saturday 27th June. This is a great opportunity to invite your history loving friends and family; Enjoy a day out that will be both fun and educational. You can make history too; by taking part in this first, naked, Museum event in Milton Keynes.
Here are the essential details;
 

Spotlight on the Naturist Activity Club

Spotlight on the Naturist Activity Club

We are pleased to introduce a (reasonably) new club for naturists based in the South of England
The Naturist Activity Club has been set up by BN member Bernie who has a huge amount of enthusiasm for organising naturist activities - where possible outdoors and in areas which are not traditionally naturist
The club has grown out of Facebook and MeetUp groups, but now has its own Page on the BN website, as well as its own external Website
The club is focused on a range of sporting and social activities - often of a smaller scale and arranged at relatively short notice when compared to some other naturist clubs. Such activities might include badminton, walking, wild swimming, picnics, cycling and Molkky - to name just a few!
The club also has a naturist canal trip organised from Odiham in Hampshire later this year - this is scheduled for 27 June and tickets are already on sale
If you’d like to know more about the club or would like to join or suggest an event why not contact Bernie directly at office@naturistactivityclub.co.uk
 
 
 

BN Campaigns Team: Naturist Swimming Under Threat

BN Campaigns Team: Naturist Swimming Under Threat

In the last few months we have unfortunately experienced threats to two long-established swims in the London and South East region
Although we have many great clubs and events across our region, and have made great progress in recent years in expanding opportunities for social nudity and public acceptance of naturism, there are still threats to well-established events from those who misunderstand naturism
Two swims which had been running for several decades in Dover and Alton have been either suspended or cancelled as a result of their pools being re-developed. In both cases, the introduction of larger areas of glazing overlooking the pools have been used to justify these changes - on the basis that those looking into the pools might be offended or upset by seeing naked swimmers
The BN campaigns team are of course deeply troubled by these developments as they reduce the provision of naturist swimming in venues which have a long tradition of accessibility to naturists. The decisions taken in these venues make an assumption that non-naturists will not be comfortable seeing naked swimmers and that the opportunity for non-naturists to use other facilities in sports centres are more important than supportIng long established naturist swimming groups - even though these groups might use the centre facilities for less than 1% of the time that they are open
In both locations, BN are involved in supporting local swimmers to challenge the decisions that have been taken and hope to ensure that naturist swimming continues in the new venues or in suitable alternative local venues
The campaigns team will also be contacting all BN member swimming clubs in the next few weeks to share information about how they might engage proactively with sports centres, local authorities and other public bodies when pools are being re-developed to ensure that we can maintain opportunities for naturist swimming and maybe even extend these in future
If you are a member of a swim who would like any advice or support in this area - or are looking to set up a naturist swim in any part of London or the South East, please do contact me at jon.williams@bn.org.uk or the campaigns team leader Ron O’Hare at campaigns@bn.org.uk

A Naturist Summer Week in Hampshire (and Dorset!)

A Naturist Summer Week in Hampshire (and Dorset!)

The regional events team for London and the South East have been hard at work over the last few weeks putting together a programme of naturist events for later in the year...
With the help of many other BN members, we have been able to put together several days of naturist events to make the most of the (hopefully excellent) summer weather in August!
These events have been organised in the west of our region, close to the New Forest in Hampshire (and a little further afield in Dorset) - and should provide opportunities for social nudity both indoors and outside and in some well-known (as well as more unusual) locations
The events will all take place between 13 and 15 August
On 13 August, we’ll head to the well established  Naturist Beach at Studland on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. This is one of the largest and most well-known naturist beaches in the UK and is very well maintained and supported by the National Trust. It also comes with its own dedicated ice-cream van in the summer, and facilities are available in the naturist area for barbecues. If the weather permits, we’ll be at the beach from at least 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - look out for the orange BN flag. If you’ve never been to Studland before, this could be a great opportunity - I’ve even included a picture of me on the beach so you know what to expect!
On 14 August, we have a naked walk organised close to the New Forest. The walk will leave from the Mill Arms pub in Dunbridge, close to Romsey around 12 midday. The walk will be led by BN member (and Naturist Ramblers walk leader) Nigel and will take us on quiet paths for around 10 miles before returning to the pub. We’ll need to be clothed when we meet at the pub, but it should be possible to walk most of the route naked (if the weather is on our side!) - the pub is opposite Dunbridge and Mottisfont station, and also has a large car park where we can leave cars during the afternoon
Later that evening, the Mill Arms will host a naked dining evening for us - the walk could be a great way to build up an appetite, but you don’t have to come on the walk to join the evening meal. We will have a private room in the pub for the whole evening between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. which has its own bar - so we’ll be able to be naked the whole time. The room also has two skittle alleys and a darts board if you’re feeling energetic
Tickets for the evening meal will be on sale via the Regional Events section of the BN Events website soon. These are priced at £25 for two courses and £31 for three courses - there is plenty of choice for vegetarians and those needing a gluten-free meal. Families are very welcome at this event and a special children’s menu will be available at £8
If you don’t fancy the drive (or train ride) home, accommodation will also be available at the Mill Arms on the evening of 14 August. This can also be booked via BN Events - if we are able to let all of the rooms to our group the pub will be happy for the accommodation area to be naturist at to serve breakfast to naturist guests the following morning
On 15 August, the Avonvale Sun Club in Ringwood have invited us to join their Great British Skinny Dip event in the afternoon. Tickets for this event will be on sale later in the year priced at £5. They have also kindly invited those interested in joining these events to stay at the club on the evenings of 13, 14 and 15 August. Pitches for up to 10 tents will be available. Please contact me directly if you are interested in booking
So, hopefully you’ll find plenty to do to fill three days with naturist activity on the South coast later this year - why not take this opportunity to try something new, or to travel from a little further afield
And if three days isn’t enough, the  Naturist Ramblers will also be holding their walk at Grovely close to Salisbury on Wednesday 12 August - last year this attracted over 20 walkers, so could be a great opportunity to take your first ‘steps’ in naked hiking as part of a larger group
If you have any questions about any of these events, why not drop me a line - jon.williams@bn.org.uk
 
 
 

Coming Soon! Naturist Events in March

Coming Soon! Naturist Events in March

We’re already well into February, and many of us will already have enjoyed one of the fantastic naturist events that have already taken place across London and the South East. We’re lucky to have many naturist swims that take place regularly across our region - and many of our member clubs will also arrange events throughout the winter. If you want to find our more, or just to plan a few club visits for later in the year why not head over to the Places section of the BN website
We also have a couple of great one-off events coming up in March. These might be your opportunity to experience social nudity in a new setting, to meet up with friends that you haven’t seen since last summer - or to introduce someone to naturism for the first time in a welcoming and supportive environment:
Naked Sunday Lunch in Central London
On Sunday 01 March we have taken over the whole of the Blue Lion pub in Holborn, Central London - the pub will open for us exclusively between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and will serve lunch around 3 p.m.
Cheryl and her team have hosted a number of naturist events in the past so are very comfortable with clothes-free groups. We’ve also timed the lunch to make sure that anyone wanting to join the Naturist London Sunday Swim will be able to do so - why not join both events for a full afternoon of naturism in the heart of London
Tickets for the lunch are on sale for £25 at BN Events - this Link will take you to the booking page
Naked Bowling in Ashford, Kent
A few weeks later, we’ll be heading to Kent for an evening of naked ten-pin bowling at the Hollywood Bowl in Ashford, Kent. We have exclusive use of the Hollywood Bowl in Ashford on Thursday 26 March, starting from 7 p.m.
Rich and his team at the Hollywood Bowl invited us back for another event in 2020 following on from a very successful evening in Tunbridge Wells last summer
As we’ll have full use of the venue, it will be possible to be naked throughout the evening - apart from your bowling shoes of course!
Tickets are on sale now at BN Events via this Link - tickets for BN members are priced at £21 and include two games of bowling, a buffet meal and a drink when you arrive. There is plenty of free parking close to the venue and it is very accessible by public transport - St. Pancras in Central London is less than 40 minutes away by train
it would be great to see as many people as possible at both of these events - they are both open to non-members as well as members, so why not join us for the evening to enjoy naturism in a safe and welcoming setting
If you have any questions about either of these events why not get in touch with me - jon.williams@bn.org.uk
We’re working on new events all the time, so if there’s something that you’d like to suggest why not get in touch
 

Rosslyn Glamping Naturist Summer Dates.

Rosslyn Glamping Naturist Summer Dates.

Rosslyn Glamping, have just announced their dates for Naturist Glamping and camping. They also have room for Motorhomes. 
Set in North Norfolk and close to Holkham Naturist beach on the North Norfolk coast, this site is a hidden gem not to be missed.
There is an outdoor heated pool and Sauna as well as a lawn for sunbathing. Whether you stay for the whole time or visit for the day, you can have a relaxing experience.
Here is their website with some great photos of the site.
https://www.rosslynglamping.com/
Here are the booking details below;
Then in July;
If you have an event you would like to be featured, or  news pertaining to our Eastern Region; you can contact; us on;
Andy Gilmour - easternpro@bn.org.uk
Cathy Bromley - easternsecretary@bn.org.uk

Only A Few Places left for Riverboat Cruise

Only A Few Places left for Riverboat Cruise

Earlier tonight Robert Finney our Eastern Region Chairman confirmed that there are only 4 places left on River Lee Boat Trip.
Booking will close soon!
Make sure you do not miss out!
 

The FolkCafe Meal in April Cancelled.

The FolkCafe Meal in April Cancelled.

Hi Everyone
The upoming meal at The Folkcafe near Bury st edmunds in Suffolk has been cancelled. The reason for this is down to the cost of the meals being inflated too high.
But we still have plenty of other events to look forwardto in the coming months.

A Murder Mystery Report from Oxfordshire

A Murder Mystery Report from Oxfordshire

Last Saturday evening a curious event happened in the hone county of Oxfordshire;
May I present to you photographic evidence that shows;
NAKED SLEUTHS INVESTIGATE ABINGDON MURDER 
What do naturists do in the winter when the beaches are cold and wet? In Abingdon last week they solved a murder. To be precise they worked out that Jasper was a killer, in Annie's restaurant at the Boat House and that Clark was crushed by a sofa at Nudefest. Not exactly classic Cluedo clues but that was the correct answer. Fifty naked dinners  from Dine Naked Oxford and British Naturism turned sleuth and had a fantastic Moroccan themed meal at Annie's at theBoathouse on the banks of the Thames. They were entertained by the Oxford Imps, a hugely funny improvisation group, who played the suspects and the victim. There was no script and the actors improvised based on suggestions from the diners. 
During the meal the cast set the scene and gave us clues (and a few red herrings) whilst one of the actors played dramatic piano music.They also went from table to table to be questioned by the audience. Though the action had a great comedic element, our Sherlock Holmes wannabees still grilled suspects such as bean magnate (and obsessive) Wilfred Copperbottom, Davis the butler with a chip on his shoulder and Jacqueline, the very French artist.
What did the actors make of their unusual audience? They thought they were great and look forward to performing for a naturist audience again. At another performance for naturists at a major London theatre two years ago several of that cast declared it the best audience they had ever had.
By Andy Wyman and Sandra.
If you would like to attend another event in Oxfordshire; 
Mupp (aka Mike) and Sandra are hosting The Call My Buff Quiz in March;
 
Lots to look forward to in Oxfordshire!

The Call My Buff Quiz in Abingdon and Meal in Hemel Hempstead

The Call My Buff Quiz in Abingdon and Meal in Hemel Hempstead

Looking ahead to March .  Mike aka (Mupp) is hosting The Call My Buff Quiz in Abingdon, Oxfordshire on 7th March at 7pm.
Tickets are now available for this Fun event.
See below;
Additionally; on 14th March we have a naked 3 course  Meal in a Pub in Hemel Hempstead.
The Great News the Meal tickets have sold out although accommodation may still be available;
 
 

Whittlesford Clothing Optional Dining BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Interview

Whittlesford Clothing Optional Dining BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Interview

With regards to the Whittlesford Clothing optional dining event, two of our British Naturism members were interviewed on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire recentĺy.
The members interviewed were Robert Finney and Ian Beeby. 
The Interview begin 21 minutes into the lunchtime show. Then there is a song by Travis and the interview continues after the song.
Please click on the link below;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07xx558
 

The River Lee Boat Trip

The River Lee Boat Trip

In a synergized move the two regions  Laser ( London And South East Region) and the Eastern Region have teamed up for a relaxing evening cruise. On Saturday 8th February at 6pm.
Departing from Ware Town Quay in Hertfordshire the cruise will journey southwards along the Lee Valley  and will be  returning  to Ware at 10pm
Believed to be the first nude trip on the River Lee. What could be better than a heated and naked cruise with a Fish and Chip supper included in the price; you won't go hungry.
Last summer the Eastern Region had a canal boat cruise in the Milton Keynes area. So if you missed out last time, Here is an opportunity to take part i.; Check out the details below;
On another note: there are only 3 places left at the time of writing for The Toad Gin  Distillery and Tasting visit in Oxfordshire.
 
If you have an event you would like to see featured here, or have relevant news for our eastern members you can contact the editors of this news page on;
Andy Gilmour;  easternpro@bn.org.uk
Cathy Bromley;  easternsecretary@bn.org.uk
 

Northampton And Whittlesford Eastern Events

Northampton And Whittlesford Eastern Events

Now we are into the New Year i would like to Focus primarily on two events this January
Firstly; Northampton Sun Group Swim on Sunday 5th January. This is a long running event in the Eastern Region making its debut as an event way back in 1982 (38 years ago).
The club is a friendly haven to relax or swim. It has excellent facilites, with a Swedish Sauna, Russian Steam room and Turkish Hot rooms.
So why not pop down and join in to sample the great facilities and a warm friendly welcome. At Northampton Sun Group Swim;
Secondly; I want to draw your attention to the Whittlesford Clothing Optional Dining Event.
On Saturday 25th January this event will be the first British Naturism dining event in Cambridgeshire. The meal is 3 course, so why not be one of the first naked diners in Cambridgeshire.
Located in Whittlesford village hall about a mile from Duxford air museum. There is a Holiday inn and train station both within 10 minutes drive from the village Hall.The A505 and M11 are both within 15 minutes drive away.
If you have friends or family who may want to join in for their first time naturist experience, this is a great event to invite them too as it is clothing optional for any aspiring naturist guests who maybe shy at first.
Here are the Essential Details;
In news of another event The Nude Murder Mystery in Oxfordshire has sold out!
If you would like to see your event/s featured or you have some naturist news that would be relevant to the Eastern Region Members, you can contact me on;
Andy Gilmour;  easternpro@bn.org.uk
 Cathy Bromley;  easternsecretary@bn.org.uk
As editors of this webpage.
 

Eastern Region Naturist Walking Events 2020

Eastern Region Naturist Walking Events 2020

BN Eastern Region Naturist Walks 2020
Enjoy walking? Then why not join in some of our naturist walks in the Beds-Bucks-Herts Borders area in the coming months:
Wilstone, Hertfordshire, on Friday 20 March 2020, 1.00pm to 5.00pm. The walk is on flat terrain, starting at the village Wilstone and walking along sections of the Grand Union Canal (Aylesbury Arm) towards Aylesbury. We then turn away from the Canal returning through tree covered footpaths and open countryside towards Long Marston and then south to Wilstone. Distance 8 miles.
Tring, Hertfordshire, on  Friday 24 April 2020, 12.30pm to 4.00pm. The walk has a couple of fairly steep inclines near the beginning of the route while the remainder of the route is mainly flat passing through several woods and open countryside. The circular route follows part of The Ridgeway before branching off across open fields and woodland to join the Chiltern Way and then through High Scrubs before heading back to the start point. Distance 9 miles. The start/finish point is accessible by train to Tring Station on the London Euston to Milton Keynes Central line with pre-arranged pick up from the station to the start. 
Aston Abbotts, Buckinghamshire, on Friday 15 May 2020, 12.30pm to 5.30pm. The walk is mainly flat with some low level hills passing through grassland, agricultural fields and open countryside. The circular route follows a network of public footpaths through part of the Vale of Aylesbury before heading back to the start point across more open countryside. Distance 9 miles.
North Marston, Buckinghamshire, on Sunday 21 June 2020 (World Naked Hiking Day) 1.00pm to 5.30pm. The walk is mainly flat, with some low to moderate hills, passing through grassland, agricultural fields and open countryside, with stunning views of Aylesbury Vale, the Chilterns and North Buckinghamshire from the top of Quainton Hill. Although the hill is long, with a good path, it is not too steep. The circular route follows a network of public footpaths including Matthew’s Way, Midshires Way, Swan’s Way and the North Buckinghamshire Way before heading back to the start point across open countryside. Distance 7 miles.
Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, on Friday 17 July 2020, 12.30pm to 4.30pm. The walk is mainly through open country and some woodland, along mostly flat terrain with some slight to moderate hills. The circular route starts near the village of Great Missenden and follows a network of public footpaths through the Misbourne Valley and parts of the Chiltern Hills. Distance 8 miles. The start/finish point is accessible by train to Great Missenden Station on the Chiltern Line (London Marylebone to Aylesbury Vale Parkway via Amersham) with pre-arranged pick up from the station 
These events are being organised through British Naturism Eastern Region in association with the Milton Keynes Naturist Meet and Greet Group. They are open to all members of British Naturism and other (walking) groups; anyone new to naturism, or naturist walking is welcome too. For further information, or to book onto any of these walks, please contact John Gelder, Walks Coordinator, via email: easternwalks@bn.org.uk or send a personal message via BN Members’ website, giving your name, email address, mobile phone number and membership status. Details of the meeting point and other information will be provided when your booking is confirmed.
Why naked walks?
Many people enjoy walking, whether by themselves, with friends or family. Its lovely to see the wonderful countryside and enjoy the open and natural environment. It’s also good for our health! As naturists, perhaps you’ve had the thought of doing it naked? If so, it can be quite a challenge to have the confidence to do it by yourself. Joining a naturist group walk removes some of those concerns and enables you to enjoy the social nudity associated with a naturist walk, in a safe environment with others. We provide all walkers with information on what to expect and are happy to answer your questions. One of the questions often asked is have we ever encountered any difficulties with members of the public who don’t agree with what we are doing? No, never! We do cover up in certain circumstances and have the back-up of the recent College of Policing Guidance that confirms it is perfectly legal for naturists to be naked in public. Naturism is a wonderful lifestyle – you wouldn’t be reading this if you thought otherwise – but we all need to do what we can to promote and encourage the normalisation and acceptance of public nudity by others and naked walking is one way of doing this. It may even encourage others or give them the confidence to join us! See you on one of our forthcoming walks!
Thinking of organising your own naturist group walk?
 If you have experience of planning local walks through open countryside; perhaps for yourself, family or friends; have you ever thought it would be good to organise one for naturists? Perhaps you have but never got around to it or were unsure how to approach it, then why not join us on one of our planned walks or a recce? You will have the opportunity to see how we organise them, talk to the walk leader and walk coordinator, and of course those attending the walk. Now is the perfect time to be planning your walks for the new year. John Gelder, BN Eastern Region Walks Coordinator, is very happy to talk with BN Members in the region who would like to organise local naturist walks. He can provide information, advice and guidance to prospective walk leaders/coordinators and sign off walks on behalf of the BN Eastern Region. This is to ensure that walks undertaken in the name of BN meet some basic criteria to ensure they are safe and comply with BN’s public liability insurance requirements. John can be contacted via email: easternwalks@bn.org.uk or through a personal message on the BN Members’ website. Why not plan a walk for World Naked Hiking Day, held annually on the 21 June, the day of the summer solstice? A day when outdoor enthusiasts everywhere celebrate the longest day of the year in their birthday suit.
Article by John Gelder
 

Notes for the Editor
Photos have permissions given by all subjects for inclusion in BN open communications Links to BN Calendar
https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/5693-wilstone-naturist-walk/
https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/5694-tring-naturist-walk/
https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/5695-aston-abbotts-naturist-walk/
https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/5696-north-marston-naturist-walk/
https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/5697-great-missenden-naturist-walk/
 
 
 
 

Looking Forward to 2020 in London and the South East

Looking Forward to 2020 in London and the South East

2019 will soon be behind us, but 2020 already promises to be a great year for naturism in London and the South East!
As the year draws to a close it’s a good time to look forward at all of the opportunities that we’ll have to meet together as naturists next year - for some of us this will a chance to continue our enjoyment of social nudity, and for others the first step on their journey
Established naturist clubs and swims will continue to be at the heart of naturism in our region - we’re lucky to have well-established naturist clubs from the Isle of Wight to Dover. Although all clubs will have their own policies, many of them will welcome you for day or longer visits. Contact details for all BN member clubs are published in each edition of the BN magazine, or you can find them in the Places section of the BN website
We are also lucky to have a number of naturist swims that take place across our region every month in Southampton, Portsmouth, Ewell, Central London, Eastbourne and Dover. Swims can be a great introduction to naturism if you are just starting out, so why not head along to your local swim in the New Year? You’ll also find details of all swims listed in the BN magazine or in the Places section of the website. Special mention must go to the swim in Alton in Hampshire - after more than 20 years the last swim will take place on 05 January 2020. We’re looking for an alternative venue, but it would be great to see as many naturists as possible support the final swim at the current venue
For the hardiest naturists amongst us, beach visits, walks and enjoying the outdoors will continue throughout the year and we are lucky to have many established naturist beaches throughout the region. Head to the Places section of the website for a listing. Our beaches include the ‘official’ beaches at Brighton and Leysdown to places with a long-established tradition of naturist use like Fairlight Glen (featuring in the picture of your correspondent at the bottom of this article!)
2020 will also see a number of one-off naturist events, so now is a good time to update you on some of what we have planned so you can start planning your diary!
Taking the lead from other BN regions, naked dining will be coming to London and the South East in the New Year:   
We’re teaming up with the Eastern Region on Saturday 08 February for an evening cruise on the River Lea from Ware - with fish and chips laid on. You can book your place using the BN Events site, or follow this Link
In March, we’ll be taking over the Blue Lion pub in Central London for lunch on Sunday 01 March. Tickets for the lunch are also available via BN Events, or follow this Link
Looking further ahead, in the west of our region we have arranged a naturist evening at the Mill Arms in Dunbridge, close to Romsey on Friday 14 August. We hope to have tickets on sale for this early in the New Year, but we’ll have our own private room and bar for the evening, a two course meal and skittles!
We are very lucky to have two established naturist walking groups that operate in our region. The fantastic Stark Trekkers hold monthly walks throughout the year. All of their events and details of how to join are listed on the Regional Calendar. The Naturist Ramblers group also holds frequent walks between April and October - often attracting more than 30 walkers to experience clothes-free walking on a variety of different routes. You’ll find more details of their walks and how to join them on their Website
We also have a range of other events for you to enjoy in 2020:
On Thursday 26 March we will be heading to Hollywood Bowl in Ashford for an evening of ten-pin bowling. This follows a successful event in Tunbridge Wells earlier this year - and we hope to organise another bowling evening in Basingstoke later in 2020. Tickets for the Ashford event are already on sale at BN Events via this Link - your ticket will include a drink and a buffet as well as the bowling
For a truly unique experience, we’ve teamed up with the East Sussex Llama Park to organise an evening event on Thursday 11 June. This will give you the chance to walk with Llamas and to find out more about the llama park before sitting down to a three-course meal. The venue is really family-freindly, so why not bring your children (or grandchildren!) along for the evening. Tickets are available via BN Events or via this Link
We are also very proud to be hosting a family meet-up at Max’s Garden between 07 and 09 August. This will be open to families with children under 18 only and great opportunity to meet other naturist families in a relaxed setting. Tickets are available via BN Events or via this Link
And finally, we’re pleased that two higher profile events will be held in our region next year:
Between 22 and 25 May BN will host the first ever Freedom Festival outside Lewes in West Sussex. This will be a relaxed festival with a focus on body positivity. Tickets are already on sale for this event - head to BN Events, or follow this Link
On Saturday 20 June BN will be working together with the British Heart Foundation and Painshill Park in Surrey to host the Naked Heart Walk. This is a unique event to raise funds for the BHF through a naked sponsored walk. Painshill is a stunning landscape garden close to London - what better way to enjoy it than by joining a naked walk to raise money for charity at the height of summer? You can find our more information about this event by following this Link. It could also be the perfect ‘excuse’ for any of your friends who have been thinking about joining a naturist event to get involved!
Hopefully there will something here to interest most people - whether you are an experienced naturist or taking your first steps in our wonderful lifestyle
We’re working on new ideas all the time, so if there is something that you’d like to see that we haven’t thought of then please do let me know - jon.williams@bn.org.uk
 
 

2020 A Year of Visionary Events!

2020 A Year of Visionary Events!

2020 Let's dive right in!
 
Where will 2020 take us?
We will certainly have plenty of choice with a variety of options at our disposal so we needn’t have a vacant weekend with nothing to do – we are more likely to have Nothing on! Now is the time to plan your Naturist year ahead…visit  North West News Online
Whether it be one of the national BN events you would like to book or you might fancy a visit to one of our region’s ten landed clubs and nine swim venues, (some of which include spas), many will be staging plenty of official Great British Skinny Dip events throughout the year. Browse the north west calendar for naked rambles, naked dining, naked bike rides, a naked garden visit to the Dorothy Clive gardens, a naked boat trip on the Shropshire union canal, naked yoga in Birmingham, naked camping at Windermere in July followed by a ‘families’ event at Liverpool Sun & Air - led by the BN families officer. The choice has never been better!
Just Announced - The BHF charity links up with British Naturism!
Read all about it  We are exploring all possibilities for staging a North West Beach skinny dip on midsummer’s day linked to fund raising for the British Heart Foundation. Watch this space for the announcement of the designated beach! We will also be looking at linking more new events to the Charity.
NW 2020 Events selling fast!
The Blackpool weekend  February 28th – March 2nd  is a ‘circus’ themed weekend and still available but selling out fast! There are a few rooms left but please be sure to grab one soon to avoid disappointment. The price includes the Sandcastle swim which can be booked separately or book both as a package.
Stoke Waterworld – Our biggest event of the year! Now booking and expected to sell out once again.  April 4th 6 -8 pm.  Waterworld,  Festival Park,  Stoke-on-Trent.
Wigton Swim
The regular second-Saturday-of-the-month swim at Wigton, Cumbria  recently celebrated its first birthday. When it began, the local paper helped publicise it and we recently invited the journalist who wrote the piece to  write about it again. The December swim raffle raised over £200 with wine donated by BN members.
Our 2020 vision nationally…
The national events season kicks off at Bournemouth with the 60’s weekend beginning  26th January, but there’s loads more to choose from including the flagship ‘Nudefest’ event –now on sale More details here. Our forward thinking BN events manager (Mark Walsh) is already planning events and booking venues for us to enjoy during 2021. We now have North West News online within the BN North West News Page which can be continually updated with regular, newsy material as supplied by members. There will also be a Newsletter dropping into your email inbox, if you have subscribed, with links to updated items within this online version.
Anyone wishing to update me or write about your club event or maybe write a promotional article for future publications, email: nwnewsletter@bn.org.uk
Ron (Editor, NW News).

 

Eastern Events From Mid December To End Of January

Eastern Events From Mid December To End Of January

Hi Everyone
The rest of December is a busy month in terms of Naturist swims.We have several.Firstly; we have an evening Swim at Club Naturel  in mid Norfolk;
 
Next, we have a popular evening swim near the Chiltern Hills in Watford;
 
So next along; just 5 days before Christmas day; is an afternoon swim at Club Naturel;
 
Getting ever closer to Christmas there is a Saturday afternoon swim in Mildenhall, Suffolk. With the opportunity to go back to a members home with a Takeawy after a good swim workout and Sauna. This is a monthly swim; close to Cambridge;
 
Ok, so you have had your Christmas dinner, you hit the shops on Boxing day and now you just want to relax; perhaps in a hot tub, a sauna and a swim. Here is the solution; an evening swim again at Club Naturel;
 
And so into January 2020;
We have the return of the very popular  Saturday evening swim and fun at the Oasis Beach Pool Swim in Bedford. The previous one was attended by many people;
 
Now we come to one of our longest running events. Northampton Sun Group Swim has been established since 1982.
This Gem of a swim is looking to the future and welcomes new people to experience its facilities and meet with the regulars.that attend; The swim is an early evening event. Put this in your diary!
 
The Next event is something all you lovers of Poirot, Midsomer Murders and Miss Marple will be interested in. It is a Nude Murder Mystery in Oxfordshire. The Plot Thickens;
 
Our next event is near to the end of January. Organised by Ian Beeby our Eastern Region Vice Chairman. Ian's event is a Clothes Optional Dining event. The reason for this is so that aspiring naturists can attend. However if you wish to remain naked throughout the evening that is perfectly fine too. The Clothes Optional Dining is located in the village of Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire. The venue is the Memorial Village Hall and is around 1 mile from Duxford Air Museum; There is a Holiday inn Hotel and train station very close by too.
So December and January are full of events for you to feast on..
Andy

NAKED IN THE ASYLUM AGAIN... the revolution goes on!!

NAKED IN THE ASYLUM AGAIN... the revolution goes on!!

In the last few years I think there's been nothing short of a revolution for naturists in Britain and BN has been at the forefront. 
It all started just over ten years ago with the first Nudefest which has grown and grown. Then we have had Alton Towers which just a few years ago was nearly cancelled through lack of numbers but now sells out. Dunoon with the Gathering, Bournemouth and Nudestock are just a few of the many other events that we now have to choose from. Over the last few years the regions have been taking up the baton and none has been more prominent than the Eastern Region. 
Eastern Region have organised countless naked dining events at different venues in the last two years and have then branched out into vineyard visits, museum events and coming up soon a murder mystery and gin tasting. The latter two by the way are separate events because as we all know crime and alcohol are a lethal mix!!
The latest regional event was a Christmas Dinner at the Three Counties Asylum near Hitchin. At least that's what it used to be called in less enlightened days. It's now part of the Bannatyne Leisure empire and called The Orchard and is next to their health spa. The buildings, from the Victorian era, are stunning and the restaurant is in what was the chapel. Apparently there was a real scandal there some years ago when the resident vicar married someone forty years younger. The Orchard is a great place for a meal with good hosts, decent food and most importantly in December well heated. Once again the event was a sell out and the lesson to learn with our regional events is book early. At the time of writing in early December the Murder Mystery event is also sold out with a waiting list. As usual we had a fiendish quiz and this time with a Christmas theme. Here's some samples- Do you know what Michael Barratt's real name is who sang Merry Christmas Everyone? And what's Japan's favourite Christmas meal? Who had a hit with Insanity over Christmas? Finally, what animal brings Christmas gifts in Syria? Answers below:
Robert who has organised most of these naked dining events is to be hugely congratulated for his efforts. During the evening Nigel Bromley was presented with a gift of thanks after his five years as regional representative in BN. He leaves the post with the region in a flourishing state.
Quiz answers: Shaking Stevens, KFC, Madness and camel.
Article and Photography  by Andy P

South West Region Diary 2020

South West Region Diary 2020

What’s happening in the South West Region in 2020
 
Here’s a taste of what’s to come next year, just brief details so far but certainly a lot is being organised, you may want to “save the dates” on your 2020 calendar.
But before we get carried away into the New Year, take a look at the Regional calendar to see how the Nudie Dudies are celebrating Christmas and welcome you to join them.
 
South West Region Meeting
The Annual South West Region meeting will be held at The Bear Inn, High Street, Street, Somerset BA16 0EF on Saturday afternoon 4th April commencing at 3pm.
All BN members having attended the meeting, will be able to enjoy a swim and sauna as guests of  the Larches Naturist Swimming Club at their monthly swim from 5.30 - 6.30pm, just a short walking distance away, before returning to the Bear Inn for dinner at 7pm.
The meeting and the dinner at the Bear Inn will be clothed as we do not have exclusive use.
To register attendance and receive full details please email Graham Holland, Regional Secretary  graham.holland@bn.org.uk
SW Region Rally Weekend
We will return again to Lower Poulza Post near Bude over the summer weekend of 19th -21st June, this relaxing weekend allows us to celebrate the summer solstice on a working farm campsite where burgers, sausages, chops reared on the farm can be enjoyed cooked on the Bath-b-que, mouth watering!
Nudefest
Returns to Thorney Lakes, Somerset from 6th - 13th July. Nudefest is the biggest Naturist festival in the UK - a week-long event located in the beautiful Somerset countryside. Bookings are already open, full details from the nudefest website.
Women’s Body Positive Day - Devon 2nd May
For naturists it's never too late to be thinking and planning for the next UK summer!
Here in the South West we have another Women's Body Positive Day planned for 2 May 2020. The location will be in the Devon countryside near Honiton.
 
More details of events to follow in the New Year, don’t forget to send in your events for next year as they unfold to be added to the diary and you can add then to the SW calendar.
Merry Christmas
Julia, SW Editor