Naturism

Naturism
Home Genealogy Poetry Naturism Links	The International Naturist Federation (INF), which represents millions of naturists around the world, defines naturism as: "A way of life in harmony with nature, characterised by the practice of communal nudity, with the intention of encouraging self-respect, respect for others and for the environment."


	Holkham Bay, Norfolk
	We discovered naturism in 1983, while on a family holiday in Norfolk. The beach at Holkham Bay, near Wells Next The Sea, is a vast expanse of sand and, on a bright sunny day, you could be on the most exotic beach in the world - except for the lack of any facilities. It's a fair walk from the car park to the beach and most people are happy to stop soon after arriving on the sand. However, as we had a dog with us, we walked further along to the west.
	After a while we spotted a bloke who appeared to be in the buff. We discussed this for a while, saying that it must be a trick of the light. However, the light had nothing to do with it. He really was standing there without a stitch. We passed him and parked ourselves on the side of a dune. As we sat there we saw several naked men, women and children come and go in ones, twos and families. We decided we were overdressed and took appropriate action.
	The sensation of being completely exposed to the open air with the warmth of the sun and a light breeze touching every part is beyond description. You have to try it to understand how it feels. We did and we've never looked back.
	Holkham has been one of our favourite places ever since we found it. It is one of Britain's few official naturist beaches. Details can be found on the Naturist UK Fact File (NUFF) website.


	Morfa Dyffryn, Gwynedd
	Another beautiful naturist beach, this one in Wales, is Morfa Dyffryn, situated between Harlech and Barmouth. In 1986 we stayed in a caravan at the nearby village of Tal-y-Bont and walked the mile or so up the beach to the naturist area. As with Holkham, there are no facilities here, except for the ice-cream vendor, whose Land Rover always attracts a long queue when the sun shines.
	We took one of our holiday films to the local chemist to be developed. This turned out to be a mistake as none of the naturist pictures were printed!
	Morfa Dyffrin was designated an official naturist beach in 2000. The Naturist UK Fact File (NUFF) website has details.


	Medulin, Croatia
	In 1989 we took our first foreign holiday as a family. Although we didn't want to commit ourselves to a fully naturist holiday, we did want access to a naturist beach. The Yugotours brochure was very informative. The Hotel Belvedere looked reasonable and was within easy walking distance of the Kazela naturist camp and beach.
	We did go into Kazela a couple of times but there was no need. A reasonable amount of the beach adjacent to Kazela was unofficially naturist and very well used.
	Plastic sandals are de rigeur in the Adriatic off Istria. The water is warm and beautifully clear but the bottom is covered with rocks and pernicious little sea urchins, which, when trodden on, will leave bits of broken-off spines in your feet.
	The cronatur.com website has more information.


	At about this time we found an article in British Naturism magazine, reporting on a regularly-held naturist event at a sports centre in Rugby. It sounded like fun, so we went along to the next event.
	The first difference we noticed between a naturist and a textile (non-naturist) visit to a sports centre was that the changing rooms became unisex.
	The entire complex was made available for naturist use for the evening, the windows around the pool area having been covered, so that those outside wouldn't be able to see any "rude bits".
	The main hall was fitted out with badminton and miniten courts. Miniten was at one time the naturist game, although it has probably now been overtaken by boules. Miniten is basically tennis played on a smaller court (one third full size), using wooden thugs rather than racquets.
	Several table tennis tables were in another room. Ping pong au naturel is great fun.
	The squash courts and fitness room were also available; not that we made use of them. We were happier in the licensed bar, supping a pint and playing the quiz machine, especially towards the end of the evening, when everybody gathered there and the raffle was drawn.
	The main thing that struck us from the evening was that naturism is a very enjoyable social activity. We decided that we'd see if there was a sun club in our area and whether we'd be able to join.


	Marguerite Sun Club, Rutland
	In March 1990, Dave was made redundant from his job as Information Services Quality Manager with Freemans PLC. The Personnel Director explained to him that the new IS Director did not feel that quality management was necessary. He didn't want to rush into a new position, so took his time considering options, preparing various versions of his CV etc.
	We had found out that there was a sun club about fifteen miles away from us, just outside Luffenham in Rutland. We wrote, asking for details, and were invited to look around the following week. The site was deserted and it was pouring with rain but looked delightful even so. A small pool, clubhouse, shop, badminton court, a couple of miniten courts, sunbathing lawns, camping area, a woodland walk with stream, and a pond.
	We returned the following week, when the sun was shining and the club was full of people. The magic of Marguerite worked its spell on us. We signed up that day and were members until its closure in 1994. The summer of 1990 saw us at Marguerite most days and the stress of being unemployed somehow just disappeared for a couple of months! The owners, Roy and Margaret Cobb, are good friends and are now members, as we are, of Croft Country Club.


	Sleaford Swim, Lincolnshire
	The town of Sleaford lies 26 miles to the north of us and has a swimming pool which hosts naturist swimming sessions. At the time of writing these take place every 2nd and 4th Saturday in the month, 19:30 - 21:30.
	Facilities are a six lane, 25 metre pool, sauna and steam room with the gym available for the first hour. Sunbeds are available for an extra charge. The steam room is always fun - as many as can be squashed into the seating around the edge - the space in the middle packed with those wishing to stand and tell jokes to their captive audience.
	It's a very friendly club and we were members there until contract work in Glasgow meant that we could no longer spare the time.
	Telephone 01775 724125 or 01522 871096 for details.


	Red Island, Croatia
	In 1990 we returned to the Istrian peninsula, this time to Red Island (Crveni Otok), near Rovinj.
	Red Island is actually two islands joined by a causeway. The larger island accommodates the Hotel Istra and is strictly textile (clothes must be worn at all times). The smaller island is naturist.
	Plastic sandals required for protection against the sea urchins. A beautiful place; lots of lizards and some very noisy cicadas.
	The cronatur.com website has more information.


	Coast & Country Naturists
	David and Sue Martin run this club. It has no grounds of its own but members meet for regular sessions at the Doncaster Dome, walks on the Yorkshire Moors and even an annual barn dance.
	On our first visit to a Dome session the highlight was the white water pool, which pushed everybody outside into the open air. It was snowing at the time, which was quite invigorating.
	We went to the first three or four barn dances but stopped when they were moved from Doncaster to Scarborough. I understand that they have now moved back to Doncaster, so we might go again. Highly recommended. No pressure to undress for those who don't want to; not that were many.
	We haven't yet taken part in a Yorkie Walkie but give us time.
	The Coast & Country Naturists website has details. The Coast & Country Naturist Publications & Bookshop website lists the goods they have for sale.



	Le Cap d'Agde, France
	In early June 1991 we took our first holiday abroad without the children. Off to the south of France, to the naturist capital of the world, Cap d'Agde. We booked with Emsdale Travel and went by coach; a journey lasting the best part of a day. However, it had the advantage that we knew lots of our fellow holidaymakers quite well by the time we arrived.
	This was the first of eleven visits to Cap d'Agde. We used the coach a few more times but eventually decided that going by train would suit us better.
Our first train journey was in a couchette waggon from Calais. The compartment started out with seating, which was converted into bunk beds in the evening. A sheet and blanket were provided, which was adequate in terms of warmth; however, the rocking and rolling of the train meant that we were continually sliding up and down the bunks, so gained little sleep.
In subsequent years we took Eurostar from Waterloo to Lille Europe and then the TGV down to Agde. A much faster and more comfortable journey.
The naturist quarter of Cap d'Agde is unique: an enclosed seaside town with all necessary facilities but without the requirement for clothes. The shops, supermarkets, bank, restaurants etc., all are available for use in the buff. All you need is a towel to sit on.
The beach is sandy, wide and long. We've heard stories of strange goings-on being seen from time to time but we've never looked for them and never seen them.
Most people dress in the evening. The men are usually in shirt and slacks. Several of the women, however, take advantage of the opportunity to wear some quite outrageous outfits. It is always fun to go for a stroll in the evening and "see the sights"!
John and Irene at Cap-Nat will be happy to arrange accommodation and advise you on making your own travel arrangements. Alternatively, you can book a package holiday with Peng Travel.


Blackthorns Sun Club, Bedfordshire
When Marguerite closed we looked around for another club to join. We considered three: Charnwood Acres, Croft Country Club and Blackthorns.
We settled on Blackthorns, where we were members for two years. A pleasant club with good facilities but a tad too far from home.
See the Blackthorns website for details.


Croft Country Club, Norfolk / Cambridgeshire
We joined Croft in 1997, buying a small caravan from one of the members there. It has developed into one of the best clubs in Britain.
Their excellent website (We would say that, wouldn't we?) gives full details.


Club Oasis, Port Leucate, France
In 1999 we took the TGV down to Perpignan, where we were met by taxi and taken to the naturist village of Club Oasis at Port Leucate. There are actually two villages here, Aphrodite and Club Oasis; however, the complex is treated as a single entity.
Our accommodation was a small, one bedroom house. The rear patio backed onto the waterway leading to the marina.
Very quiet and less crowded than Cap d'Agde. The beach is sand and shingle. The only problem we found was the wind.
Peng Travel run packages to Aphrodite and Club Oasis.


Tything Barn, Pembrokeshire
We visited in late May / early June 2000. The weather was surprisingly favourable, allowing us to enjoy the facilities to the full.
The site covers 23 acres and is situated in the estuary of a tidal river. There is a lagoon for swimming, boating and fishing. Accommodation is available in two cottages and two chalets. Alternatively, you can bring your own tent or caravan and pitch in the sheltered meadow.
We booked a cottage, which we found very comfortable and roomy enough for the two of us. The main bedroom was a double, the smaller having bunks. Downstairs was a kitchen / lounge. The gas fire kept us nice and warm in the evening. A french window opened into the garden, where we sometimes sat and watched the blue-tits delivering food to their young.
We found it a very friendly place with no formalities. The NUFF website has more detailed reports on Tything Barn. For a brochure etc., contact Joe and June Folder at: Tything Barn, West Williamston, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire SA68 0TN Telephone: 01646 651452.


The "Stark Naked" programme on Channel 5
On 18th April 2002 Channel 5 broadcast the first in its second series of programmes called "Stark Naked". One of the items included a naturist service from a church in Manchester and Bet was one of the stars.
We first contacted the researcher for the programme in 2001 in response to a request for volunteers in the news:uk.rec.naturist newsgroup. Expenses would be paid, we'd be fed and given a small fee for our trouble.
It was a fun day but not at all what we had expected. The full cast of players was only Martin and Eva, who were the main contributors to the item, Bet, Dave, the clergyman, the director, the researcher and the cameraman.
The view through the packed congregation to Martin, playing the guitar and leading the singing, was achieved by getting everybody else to remove their tops and sit in two rows of pews. When everybody was in position, the cameraman set the camera running and nipped into the second pew to make up numbers.
Only Martin, Eva and Bet were actually "stark naked". Everybody else was as naked as necessary for the camera.

Coincidentally, the director, researcher and a different cameraman came to Croft Country Club the next day, to film some extra bits and pieces for possible use.
The weather was very undecided; bright sunshine interspersed with thunder storms. Archery, clay pigeon shooting and the pool were filmed; also carpet bowls in the clubhouse when the skies opened. Filming on the putting green was about to start, when the rain returned and everything came to a halt.
Very little of the club footage was included. There's a brief shot of us having lunch and a few views of the rain coming down. Still, it was something different and everyone had a good time.