NATURISM

LAST week saw the biggest naturist gathering in Britain when Nudefest 2019 descended on Somerset.

The festival celebrated all aspects of unclosthed life.

But what do we really know about naturists..?

“naturism” is often used interchangeably with the word “nudism”, there is a subtle difference between the two terms. Nudism is the act of being naked and enjoying your own skin. Naturism goes further and for many is a lifestyle involving selfrespect, vegetarianism, non- smoking, yoga, teetotalism, pacifism and respect for the environment. THERE are around 10 naturist “official” beaches in the UK which the landowner or local authority has sanctioned and around 130 sun clubs and swim groups.

Naturism came into being in 1964, has 16,000 members and is a volunteer organisation campaigning to make social nudity more acceptable throughout the UK. BUT British Naturism can trace its origins to 1891, when a short- lived society called the “Fellowship for the Naked Trust” was formed in British India.

NATIONAL opinion poll found 82 per cent of the UK’s population felt it was right to make nudity legal on some beaches.

opinion poll in 2008 estimated the number of people describing themselves as naturist or nudist at 3.7 million.

Mirren is among celebrities who have been named Naturist of the Year by the organisation because of their love of a naked lifestyle.

is protected as a philosophical belief by the Equalities Act of 2010 and section 66 of the 2003 Sexual Offences Act.

at Goldsmiths, University of London, found getting naked may be the key to happiness and wellbeing. COMMUNIST East Germany had its own statecontrolled naturism club – it’s believed that now Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel was a member!