British Naturism announce a full calendar of exciting events for 2008
Following an active and landmark year in 2007, a further wide variety of nude and clothes-optional events - some being hosted by British Naturism (BN), some in which BN are participating and lending support - are taking place in 2008, for existing naturists as well as those looking for an opportunity to experience the great feeling that comes from being without clothes.
Richard Daniels, British Naturism’s national Chairman said:
“People are beginning to realise that naturism is not a secret world that you have to make a conscious decision to take part in, nor, like joining a political party, counter-culture or religion, change their whole philosophy and lifestyle to become “one of us” - and you certainly don't have to call yourself a "naturist" just because you do it from time to time. It’s simply about taking the opportunity not to wear clothes when the circumstances are appropriate. Many members of the public would never consider themselves “naturists”, but most women don’t think twice about going topless these days, in fact, it’s become the norm and actually fashionable to do so. Most people have enjoyed the blissful feeling of skinny-dipping, and we all realise that not bothering to dress at home – especially after a hot and sticky day in the office – is completely sensible. Our culture and society means we’ve all been brought up to believe that clothes are always necessary and that anyone wanting to be unclothed is eccentric, ridiculous, provocative or even out to shock, but the human body was not designed to be wrapped up in clothes 24/7 and we harm our health and well-being by doing so. There is also no such thing as the "perfect" body and so if you think you "couldn't" because of a dislike of parts of yourself, welcome to the club! 99.9% of the world's population feel the same about themselves. Rather than asking “Why would I go naked” more and more people are asking the right question, “Why not?”
“What does set naturism aside from simple, individual nudity is the social context, and – despite what people often think – you quickly become used to being naked among other naked people. Even the most reluctant first-timers say how they "forgot" or were almost unconscious of it after only a few minutes and soon "stopped noticing" that everyone else was too. In fact, it's the person that still has clothes on that stands out. You also benefit from being among like-minded people in exactly the same way you would if the activity were surfboarding, mountain climbing or whatever pursuit you might enjoy in your free time.
“At clothes-optional events, the clothed and the unclothed mingle happily and many of the latter are inspired to give naturism a try. No-one is ever forced to undress and so it is a perfect opportunity for people to come and see what it is all about without any pressure to join in.
“If you have never been to a naturist event and experienced the feeling of freedom and instant reduction in your stress levels, and met friendly, normal people, come and give it a try this year - you’ll never look back!
Events for 2008
The 2nd BN Naturist Go Karting Event Following the success of the first ever event in March, the second evening of racing will be held at Walsall Ace Karting Plus. This is an indoor event open to everyone over the age of 10 years
Date: Saturday, 26 April
Clothes-optional days at Abbey House Gardens
Six more days this year. Owners Ian and Barbara Pollard are opening their gates to visitors who wish to enjoy their beautiful gardens without clothes. As before, it’s open to the public, too, so it is expected that textile visitors will also be in evidence. Three of the dates are consecutive, so plan a long weekend away and make the most of it. There is plenty to do in the area around Abbey House Gardens and there are lots of places to stay, not far away. Visit www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk or call 01666 822212 for directions, details of the gardens, other local tourist spots and an accommodation list. Dates: Sunday, 1 June; Saturday, 12 July; Friday,15, Saturday,16 and Sunday 17 August; Sunday, 7 September.
Nudefest2008
Yes, it’s back – don’t miss out this time! An extra day has been added, so it’s three full days of events and activities in Cornwall, with naturist pitches available the week before and the week after the event. See www.nudefest.co.uk for further information and links to reports of 2007's inaugural event.
Dates: Midday Thursday, 19 – midday Sunday, 22 June.
BN beach days
Plenty of days at the beach again this year, with the opportunity to come along and meet other naturists and enjoy some of the most popular naturist spots in the country. It’s also a good opportunity to show that we value these places and want to see them used for naturism forever. There will be plenty of fun and games and light refreshments, but bring your own picnic. If you’ve never been to a British nude beach, this is a great time to try one.
Dates: Sunday, 13 July - Studland, Dorset; Sunday, 20 July – Morfa Dyffryn, Gwynedd; Sunday, 3 August – Holkham, Norfolk; Sunday, 10 August - Eastney, Hampshire. Also - Brighton, East Sussex, date to be confirmed
Splashdown
A great new waterpark evening at Splashdown, Poole being organised by YBN and BN’s South-West region.
Date: Saturday 12 July.
South-West naturist weekend
Three events combine very neatly into a continuous weekend of activity. Come to Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury on Saturday, 12 July, depart for Splashdown in Poole for the evening and then enjoy a day out at the BN beach day at Studland on Sunday, 13 July.
The 3rd BN Alton Towers Naturist Weekend
It's becoming an annual event! See details of this year's event here.
Dates: Friday 14 November to Sunday 16 November.
Sports events
BN members will compete against each other at the BN Swimming Gala and BN Petanque Tournament, to qualify to represent the UK at International events later in the year. The BN Fun Run is open to all naturists, whatever their age or ability.
Dates: Annual BN Petanque Tournament – Norwich, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 3, 4 and 5 May; Annual BN Swimming Gala – Rugby, Saturday 24 May; BN Fun Run – Telford, Sunday, 7 September.
A full list of all events – not just BN national ones – is on our website here
- ENDS -
Contact:
Commercial Manager:
Andrew Welch
01753 481527
07774 955138
commercial.manager@british-naturism.org.uk
Notes for Editors
· British Naturism (BN) 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.
· Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more naturist places to be made available and to protect naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body.
· Fact – simply being naked in a public place is not against the law. Various pieces of legislation and common law are often mentioned in connection with naturism but they are not relevant.
· In the UK, there are over 130 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 14,000 people with up to 100,000 more being members of clubs affiliated to BN.
· Naturism is good for you. Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of naturism is the dress code. See FAQs about naturism here
· 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.barebritain.com
· 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 hosted the Rally in the UK in May 2007 – see here for details and find more details about YBN and their activities here
· 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. www.mcsuk.org.
· For more information on British Naturism, please visit our website at www.british-naturism.org.uk/ For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” atwww.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 www.british-naturism.org.uk/contact/ at to ensure that any enquiries are directed to the right person and gain an appropriate and speedy reply.
