British Naturism announce a full calendar of exciting events for 2009
Following an active year in 2008, 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 2009, for existing naturists as well as those looking for an opportunity to experience the great feeling that comes from being without clothes.
Michael Farrar, British Naturism's Chairman said:
Naturism has been around in this country for eighty years and more. In the early days there used to be talk of "nudist colonies", inhabited by “cranks”, who were condemned by some as ridiculous and by others as immoral. In spite of this popular distrust ever more people came to realise the benefit, and the simple pleasure, of being without clothes when they are not needed.
Growth has been slow, but acceptance has gradually materialised. In 1957 the first naturist film was released for public showing and the next year the biennial conference of the International Naturist Federation was welcomed to the grounds of Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. In 1965 Maidstone Borough Council in Kent was the first of many to hire out a public bath to naturists and in 1978 Hastings Borough Council in East Sussex was the first of many coastal authorities to set aside a beach for naturist use. Much more recently in, 2006-2007, naturist events were held at high-profile venues including the Eden Project and York Maize Maze
There has even been acceptance at Government level. Six years ago British Naturism was invited to appear before the Home Affairs Committee of Parliament, and last year we were listed by Defra as a consultee in managing coastal activities.
Naturism is, at last, being accepted as a normal and reasonable part of British life, enjoyed on suitable occasions by a surprisingly large proportion of the population. A NOP poll in January 2001 showed that 14% had sun-bathed nude, 24% had swum nude and 40% thought that naturists were sensible. I could reasonably expect that a public opinion poll repeated now would show considerably greater percentages.
An impressive range of naturist events is planned for 2009, several of them open to everyone. The beach days in particular offer an ideal opportunity both to try naturism for the first time and to meet naturists. It will be no surprise that they are ordinary people, just like you and me, who have discovered this fantastic way of spending their time, and so have found total relaxation and freedom away from the stresses and strains of daily life. Above all, it’s great fun, so come and join us - nothing’s better!
Media attendance at many of the events is welcome. Please contact us in advance for further information and assistance.
The Events
Clothes-optional days at Abbey House Gardens
Five 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 their website for details of the gardens, other local tourist spots and an accommodation list. See here for further information.
Dates: Sunday, 31 May; Saturday, 11 July; Friday, 14 August (sorry, now cancelled); Thursday, 3 September; Friday 4 September; Saturday 5 September.
BN Beach Days
Plenty more 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 good time to try one.
Dates: Sunday, 12 July - Studland, Dorset; Sunday, 19 July – Morfa Dyffryn, Gwynedd; Sunday, 2 August – Holkham, Norfolk; Sunday, 9 August - Brighton East Sussex.
Splashdown
After the success of 2008's inaugural event, we have decided to run the event again and it takes place on the evening of an Abbey House Gardens clothes optional day, with the BN Studland Beach day the following day. Make a weekend of it! See here for further details.
Date: Saturday 11 July, from 18.30 to 22.00, with swimming starting at 19.00.
Nudefest2009
The big naturist weekend of the summer! Fun and activities throughout. To be held at Newperran Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall.
See here for further information.
Date: Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June.
NEW! "It's a Knockout" Family Rally
YBN are hosting a new event with the support of Manchester Sun and Air. See here for further details.
Dates: Friday, 28 to Sunday 31 August
BN Fun Run
With the emphasis on the fun, join us in the fun run. Organised by our Sports Officer, Jim Russell.
See here for further details.
Date: Sunday 6 September.
Beachwatch 2009
Your help required. Join one our clean up crews at Studland Beach (Dorset), Morfa Dyffryn (Wales), Budleigh Salterton (Devon), Brighton (Sussex) or Eastney (Hampshire). See here for further information.
Dates: Saturday 19 or Sunday 20 September
International Naturist Federation Swimming Gala - to be held in the UK!
It's the British Naturism's turn to host the International Naturist Federation (INF) Swimming Gala in the UK this year. The very best naturist swimmers representing countries from all over Europe will descend on Rugby for a fantastic competition. See more details here and also see the INF website.
Date: Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November September.
Click here for more big naturist events
and
here for a searchable database of all naturist events
- ENDS -
Contacts:
BN 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 its predecessors have been in existence since the 1930s.
· Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for naturism 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 used regularly by naturists. Membership of BN is around 13,000 people with around 15,000 more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. The calendar of naturist events – not all run by British Naturism – is packed for 2009. There are also thousands of UK naturists who enjoy holidays and beaches in the UK and abroad without being members of recognised naturist organisations.
· 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 will represent the UK at the International Naturist Federation (INF) Youth Rally to be held in Italy following Holland in 2008 and hosted the Rally themselves in the UK in May 2007 – see our YBN pages for details.
· 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.
· It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk of abuse in a naturist environment. In addition, unaccompanied children are not permitted in naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child protection issues, however, BN have a robust child protection policy , a code of practice, and have a Child Protection sub-committee that meets regularly and runs workshops on the subject, sometimes to groups from outside the naturist world.
· 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” at
www.british-naturism.org.uk/mediacentre/, which contains useful information for those wishing to write about naturism or to feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes, including a downloadable Media Information Pack. There is also a contact page, to ensure that any enquiries are directed to the right person and gain an appropriate and speedy reply.
