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London and South East Region Recent News

 

Heading South – London and the South East

The peaceful landscapes of South East England offer not only scenic countryside and historic charm but also a growing number of opportunities for Naturists to embrace the outdoors freely. Cities such as London, Southampton, and Portsmouth also offer a variety of venues and Naturist activities to choose from.  So, whether you're strolling along the wide-open beaches of Hampshire, relaxing at a beautiful Naturist venue in Kent, or attending a naked swim in Southampton, the area has something to offer every Naturist.  With a growing network of volunteers and opportunities, it’s a wonderful part of the country to reconnect with nature and other Naturists – in the most natural way possible.

As you look through any edition of the BN magazine you will see reports and notices of forthcoming regional events that are exciting, enjoyable and (often) quite away from where you live. So now is the time to bring about that same excitement and enjoyment to your own ‘neck of the woods’. Garden visits; naked walks; naked dining events; visits to historic houses, museums and galleries; riverboat and coastal trips; skinny dips and beach days; and much, much, more.

These and other local or regional events need volunteers to help organise and deliver them.  As a volunteer organising or stewarding one of our events, it is a real pleasure to see the joy of fellow Naturists as they meet old and new friends and have a great time. These events are also opportunities for volunteers to meet other Naturists and enjoy social nudity with others.

Here we take a look at how you can become involved in volunteering across the London and South East Region (LASER). There are several roles providing volunteers with some great opportunities to be part of BN’s expanding programme of regional events:


Area Contacts
Both regions are creating a network of area contacts, to help coordinate and promote a programme of Naturist activities and opportunities in each area (typically a county), and to act as a local point of contact for, and represent the interests and views of, members. The remit is quite broad, and it is for each Area Contact to make of the role what they feel is appropriate for the area, depending upon the time they have available to devote to the role.
Key activities include:
Acting as a contact point for members and providing information on local activities.
Building up local knowledge of Naturist locations, clubs, activities and events.
Promoting Naturism and encouraging more people to become involved in Naturism.
Creating, organising and supporting opportunities for people new to Naturism to participate in taster activities or to meet up and participate in Naturist activities with others.
Promoting local swims and other Naturist activities and events.

Skills Needed:
• Coordinating, organisational, planning and decision-making skills.
• Enthusiasm to encourage others’ participation.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.

Time commitment: typically, about two or more hours a week.  The role is highly flexible and will depend on the availability of the volunteer and demand from local BN members.  Ideal as a home-based opportunity using email, phone and/or social media to be in touch with others who are interested or involved in Naturism, with travel to local events.

There are opportunities for volunteers to fulfil the role of Area Contact in:
Hampshire
South London
Surrey.

Just click on the link above for more information or to apply online.


Regional Sports Officer
An opportunity to lead the development of the region's involvement in Naturist sports and undertake the coordination, organisation, promotion and support of Naturist sports activities, events and competitions within the region. This might initially focus on just one or two sports.  Key Activities include:
• Planning and delivery of regional sports activities, events and competitions.
• Advising on rules and requirements of Naturist sports.
• Contact point on Naturist sports..
• Ceremonial functions
• Arranging judges and officials.
• Promoting Naturist sports, health and wellbeing benefits.

Skills Needed:
• Experience or enthusiasm for organising sports.
• Good organisation with attention to detail.
• Enthusiasm to encourage others’ participation.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.

Time commitment: 2+ hours per week.

For more information or to apply online click on this link for Regional Sports Officer.


Regional Event Steward
An opportunity to assist in coordinating, supporting and supervising people’s attendance at activities and events; in meeting their information, safety and welfare needs; and assisting with the delivery of an enjoyable and safe experience for all concerned.
Key Activities include:
• Controlling entrances and exists.
• Welcoming and checking-in participants.
• Directing participants.
• Customer care.
• Event safety and security.
• Safeguarding.
• Dealing with problems.
• Assisting with event operations.

Skills Needed:
• Reliability and good timekeeping.
• Being well-organised and with good attention to detail.
• Observational and oversight skills.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Hospitality and customer care skills.

Time commitment: up to three hours per event plus travel.

For more information or to apply online click on this link for Regional Event Steward.


Regional Beach Officers
This role can include organising beach days, skinny dips and clean-up events, as well as coordinating access to local beaches and promoting their use by Naturists and the general public. So, if you love visiting beautiful bare beaches and could help others access them too, then this is the ideal role for you! This exciting role is full of variety and is ideally suited for anyone interested in sun, sea and sand.

You will have (or will have a willingness to acquire) a knowledge of Naturist beaches in your region/locality; good coordination, planning and organising skills; and an enthusiasm for successful campaigns and/or promotional work.

Time commitment: typically about three or more hours a week. This is highly flexible and will depend on the availability of the volunteer, the seasonal nature of the role and the need to address any particular issues associated with beaches in the region. Ideal as a home-based opportunity with travel to local beaches.

We are looking for volunteers to cover (all or part of) the coastline of Hampshire East, East and West Sussex, and Kent. For more information or to apply online click on this link for Regional Beach Officer.


Regional Organiser/Deputy Regional Organiser
An exciting opportunity to be part of BN's Leadership Team, coordinating and promoting a programme of Naturist activities and opportunities in the Region; leading the delivery of the organisation's aims and objectives and representing the interests and views of members in the region. Regional Organisers are also members of the British Naturism Executive Committee and can therefore actively participate in the development of Naturism across the UK.

Skills and Experience Needed:
• Membership of British Naturism for the two years prior to appointment.
Organisational, planning and decision-making skills.
Ability to bring together and manage a team of volunteers.
• Event and project management skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.

Time commitment: typically you will require four or more hours a week with time devoted to the role depending on your personal circumstances.  Executive Committee meetings are usually one evening a month.

For more information or to apply online click on this link for Regional Organiser or Deputy Regional Organiser.


Regional Administrator
If administration is more to your liking, the role of Regional Administrator provides you with the opportunity to assist and support the Regional Organiser in enabling the Regional Team to fulfil its responsibilities and to support the organisation, coordination and promotion of regional meetings.

You will need to have good administrative, organisational, planning and decision-making skills. good IT skills, including the use of Office software and written communication skills.

Time required: typically you will require three or more hours a week with time devoted to the role depending on your personal circumstances.

For more information or to apply online click on this link for Regional Administrator.


What’s in it for me?
Volunteering with British Naturism is a chance to meet new people, enjoy social nudity, and actively contribute to the growth of Naturism in your area.  You’ll gain valuable experience in event planning, leadership, and community engagement, all while helping create a welcoming and vibrant Naturist community.

How to Get Started: if you’re ready to make a difference and get involved, we’d love to hear from you!  Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to take on a larger role, there’s a volunteer opportunity that’s perfect for you.  Together, we can expand British Naturism’s reach and bring the joy of Naturism to more people across the UK.

Take the next step today – volunteer with British Naturism and be part of something extraordinary! You can register your interest in volunteering with British Naturism and join our Volunteer Bank by creating your own Volunteering Profile.  It’ll take you no more than two minutes to register (or a little longer if you choose to add written content). Just visit the BN website and go to Members Area > Volunteering > My Volunteering Profile (member login required).

If you have any questions or would like further information about volunteering with British Naturism, don’t hesitate to contact John Gelder, Volunteering Officer, @John Gelder or email to john.gelder@bn.org.uk.
I travelled from North Kent to visit Houghton Lodge Gardens. 2 hours in sweltering heat to reach this fantastic house and gardens on the bank of the River Test. I joined a long queue of people at the entrance, some had prepaid to include a bbq, a first for these popular garden visits but it was possible to pay on the door for just a garden visit (I actually managed to buy one of a few spare bbq tickets too!). So grateful to get to the changing area and get rid of the restrictive clothing I was in following a previous event near home.
The gardens are magnificent and the lawns drop down to the quietness of the River Test, with swans gliding by. The only sound were the sounds of nature. Perfect. Around the grounds were a series of sculptures, part of a temporary exhibition. If you wanted you could join in the Treasure Hunt Maddie had devised. I had taken the opportunity for a glass of chilled rose in the surroundings of the more formal gardens, beautiful colours surrounding.
In the middle was a long table under a cover, ready for the delicious bbq that rounded off the evening. Post-drink I wandered round the peaceful setting with the sun, still powerful at 7.30pm
There were over 70 people attending, a fantastic turnout.
I finally left the site at 9pm with the temperature still registering 23 degrees where it remained for most of my journey back to Kent.
What a glorious evening! Thanks to our host Sophie and her son for the cooking - he even joined in the dress code but with suitable apron protection from the heat of the bbq, and thanks to @Geoffrey Ryder and Maddie for their organisation.
"Let's do it again this summer" we heard. So we arranged the next visit for Wednesday August 13th. Sadly we are unable to arrange a BBQ for this one but we have put in a request of a repeat of the weather (we can but hope). Details will be on the calendar very soon!


We are back at Petersfield for a series of 3 swimming evenings as part of their Great British Skinny Dip involvement in June and August.
The pool is heated to 27 degrees C, there is a café on site for hot & cold drinks and snacks and a BBQ especially for us.
is a large public car park or if coming via public transport, the pool is located a 10 minute walk from the station. 
The Great British Skinny Dip is raising funds for the British Heart Foundation. Please consider purchasing a ticket with an extra £2 donated to BHF. Alternatively we will have collecting buckets for any cash donations on the night.
Swims will be held on 28 June, 1st and 22nd August at the Petersfield Open Air Swimming Pool
Ticket prices:
BN Member £9.50
BN Non Member £12.50
BN member plus £2 donation to BHF £11.50
Non BN member plus donation £14.50
See our calendar link for our first swim on 28 June for details and booking
I'm really sorry but we have had to amalgamate the two sessions on Sunday as we didn't sell enough tickets for session 2. If you have a ticket for the second session we would love it if you could make the first session that starts at 11am. I have emailed all those who bought tickets for that session but thought it best to publicise this as much as I can in case people don't check their emails. Please let me know if this affects you and you can't make it for 11am and I'll organise a refund.
Once again huge apologies. I have tried hard via social media, newsletters and this website to sell tickets and had hoped there would be more response closer to the day. Perhaps the good weather forecast has on this occasion worked against me!
For those booked for 11am nothing has changed.
A quick update on the pottery event in Shepperton South West London on June 1st. We have sold out the first session and still have some tickets left for the second session which starts at 2.30 although there will be a social session for both groups at 1.30 (coffee, tea and biscuits). The session runs till 5pm. Julia will be giving tuition in making a piece but if anyone has experience and wants a go on the wheel unassisted they are welcome.
Here's the link if you'd like to book:
Pottery tickets link
In case anyone has missed the announcement by Andrew Welch London now has its own swim again. It's on Sundays 8pm to 10pm at The Circle Gym and Spa, Queen Elizabeth Street, London, SE1 2JE. This is near Tower Bridge.
The club has a 17-metre indoor pool, with two lanes. One lane will be for swimming and the other for chats and relaxation. You’ll also have full access to the club’s steam room, sauna, and spa pool.
To see the full news release from Andrew click on:
London Swim
To book a space email
hello@thecirclegymandspa.co.uk


Valerian Sun Club on the Isle of Wight  is holding an Open Day on May 4th. It's a lovely place set in 6 acres of protected woodland. They have a clubhouse and camping facilities with electric hook up. There will be coffee and cake on the day and Mike of BN Quiz fame will be there to welcome you with a smile!! The club is on the outskirts of Havenstreet and is within walking distance of the Steam Railway Centre. 
 

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