UK TO HOST INTERNATIONAL NATURIST YOUTH EVENT
Young naturists from around the world are descending on East Anglia for the 2007 International Naturist Federation Youth Rally on the 16 – 20 May. The rally is open to people between the ages of 14 and 27 is an annual event, this year run by British Naturism, the UK’s internationally recognised naturist organisation.
The weekend will be jam-packed with activities including sports competitions, swimming gala, disco, karaoke, arts and crafts workshops and a gala Hawaiian evening. The opening ceremony will be attended by officials from the South Norfolk District Council.
The weekend takes place at one of the UK’s largest and best naturist clubs, Broadlands Sun Association in Stoke Holy Cross. Facilities at the 25 acre club grounds include a covered swimming pool, large clubhouse with bistro, camping grounds, sports courts and a natural spring-fed lake for swimming and fishing.
British Naturism’s Youth Officers, and leader of the Young British Naturists (YBN), Debbie and Joel, said:
“We’re delighted to be hosting the Rally and repaying the excellent hospitality we’ve enjoyed at rallies in previous years, as well as catching up with old friends and making new ones. Whatever the public perception may be, naturism is not just the preserve of older people. There are hundreds of us young naturists in the UK and around the world having a fabulous time with our friends. Forget the usual British reserve about nakedness – it’s not in the least shameful, silly or embarrassing, in fact it’s a completely normal way to be and sensible when the weather is hot. Young naturists find they overcome negative body image issues, improve their mental well-being, feel healthier, de-stress - and above all it’s great fun. We organise or attend plenty of events throughout the year – including going abroad for an annual holiday. Even if young people cannot make it to the rally, we urge them to come and get involved with us – they don’t know what they are missing!
Ivan Page, Broadland Sun Association’s Treasurer who lives in Norwich, said:
“We’re very pleased to be hosting the INF Youth Rally at Broadlands. We have a fantastic tranquil site with great facilities and this is a wonderful opportunity for us all to make it available to the next generation of naturists. We’re really looking forward to the event.
A press call has been arranged for 2.30pm on Thursday 17th May to which the media are invited to meet some rally attendees, BN officials and representatives of Broadlands Sun Association. There will be opportunities to take photographs but no filming will be allowed. Please make contact in advance if you wish to attend and arrangements will be made.
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Contacts:
British Naturism
Commercial Manager :
Andrew Welch 020 8123 2269
07774 955138
commercial.manager@british-naturism.org.uk
Broadlands
Ivan Page 07786 706826
ivan.page@btinternet.com
Notes for Editors
· British Naturism is the UK’s officially recognised naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite naturists around the UK and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2004, although previous incarnations have been in existence since the 1930s.
· The International Naturist Federation (INF) exists to support naturism around the globe. It characterises naturism as “A lifestyle in harmony with nature, expressed through social nudity, and characterised by self-respect of people with different opinions and of the environment." For more information, please visitwww.inf-fni.org
· Broadlands Sun Association is Norfolk’s longest established naturist club and has often been named as British Naturism’s “Club of the Year” For more information, please visitwww.broadlandsun.co.uk/
· Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more naturist places to be made available and to protect naturists against discrimination.
· In the UK, there are over 150 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and 12 officially designated naturist beaches, with many more being used regularly by naturists. Membership of BN is around 15,000 people.
· 2007 sees a huge number of events for naturists at fantastic public venues, such as the Eden Project and Alton Towers. In June, British Naturism are organising a weekend of activities at Nudefest2007, www.nudefest2007.com the first event of its kind.
· BN co-produced Bare Britain, with Lifestyle Press in June 2005, a guidebook to naturism and naturist places in the UK. It is available in bookshops up and down the country, a landmark step for a book on this subject, and has become a best-seller. www.british-naturism.org.uk/pages/pages.asp?page_ID=49
· YBN (Young British Naturists) has a membership of young men and women between the ages of 16 and 30 who get together at clubs and beaches many weekends. They represented the UK at the International Naturist Federation (INF) Youth Rally held in France in 2005 and will be hosting the Rally in the UK in 2007.
· Naturism is good for you. Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image.
· British Naturism have adopted the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) as their President’s Charity of the Year. We are raising funds and awareness and working with them to raise money for their causes. Naturists will be participating in the MCS Coastal Challenge in May 2007.
· For more information, please visit our website atwww.british-naturism.org.uk/ For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” at www.british-naturism.org.uk/mediacentre/ which contains useful information for those wishing to write about naturism or feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes, including a downloadable Media Information Pack. There is also a contact page atwww.british-naturism.org.uk/contact/ to ensure that any enquiries are directed to the right person and gain an appropriate and speedy reply.
