Fraisethorpe beach sign.

[Phillip Green]

I visited Fraisthorpe beach a few weeks ago and noticed the old sign was still in place. (See attachment) I was concerned that the wording would give the general public a bad impression of Naturism. There are two issues. 1, There are no beaches in the UK that are "Designated" solely for naturism and 2. 
The sign suggests that naturists perform Indecent acts, which may include simply being naked.

I emailed East Riding of Yorkshire Council and expressed my concerns. I received a response with positive results. They say they will be changing  the sign and removing the wording in relation to committing an offence and new signs will be erected in the area, asking the public to report sightings of criminal activity, thus removing the connection between criminal activity and naturism.
Because the statement "This beach is not a designated naturist beach" is true, they say a sign will remain.
I replied, suggesting the sign should be totally removed, as the statement is true for all Crown authority beaches. There is no need for
any such signs on beaches.  I am waiting for a response.
At least the Council have responded and are making positive changes.
My next mission is to approach the Scarborough authority regarding a sign that prohibits naturism at Cayton bay.

Phillip Green
NAG Press/Media Representative

[Duncan Heenan]

Thanks for this report Philip, and for all the work it evidences. I think this is a success for the NAG Press & Media Group. Maybe not as total as we would wish (yet), but certainly a step forward in naturist understanding and acceptance.

[Phillip Green]

Thank you, Duncan.
I'm very pleased to know, that after numerous failed attempts by the likes of Rydale Naturist Club and Fraisthorpe United Naturists, my action has produced a positive outcome. I will make an effort to have similar signs removed from other beaches around our coastline.
Thank you for your support. I'm proud to be a part of the NAG.

[John Paine]

Good work Philip!
I am glad that you are exploring this issue locally. We have a history in the UK of the authorities trying to deter normal naturist activity at various beaches. Have you had any response from Ryedale Naturist Club or Fraisthorpe United Naturists about their possible involvement in joint action?
I am aware that there was heavy-handed police action at that beach a few years ago. Are there any current issues about sexual activity by people who are not naturist there?
John Paine Chair of NAG

[Phillip Green]

Hi John, thank you.
I haven't heard anything back from East riding as yet. I'm half not expecting to. The main reason for my complaint, was to have the criminal activity element separated from Naturist activity. East riding council have acknowledged and are taking positive action.
I have not been in touch with Rydale or F.U.N. I'm happy to see this through independently as an NAG accomplishment.
As far as I'm aware, there hasn't been any further police involvement, at least since the guidance was issued. Naturists are still using the former designated area without challenge. It was just the wording of the sign I was concerned about and my action has produced positive results. We will see when the work is completed.
I'm planning on seeking out similar signs and taking similar action to have them removed. I know of another sign a little further up the coast at Cayton bay, (a former designated beach) forbidding naturism. I will persue this in time.
Thanks for your support.
Kind regards
Phillip

[John Paine]

Keep up the good work Philip! Others might like to look for inappropriate signage at beaches in their coastal areas.

NAG has recently identified the need for a national campaign for beaches to be clothing optional. See the 3 January 2021 post by Duncan Heenan. We need to start by drawing up a list of contact details where local beach support groups operate. They, in turn, may be able to offer guidance to others wishing to explore setting up a new group.

If you have comments, or may be able to help with this campaign, please respond to Duncan's post.

John Paine, Chair of NAG

[Phillip Green]

Thank you John.
I agree with seeking out inappropriate signs on beaches. Obviously I am unable to do this by myself, though I do think we should have a central point of action, whereas if a sign is discovered, then it should be referred to an NAG appointee to deal with. I would be happy to take on this role. It would keep an amount of consistency in our response.
Thanks again for your support.
Kind regards,
Phillip

[Phillip Green]

Just a little update on the sign on Fraisethorpe beach.
I found the attached photo on Facebook dated 30th January 2021.
I have included a before and after photo and also my response comment.
('nation' parkland has been corrected to 'national' parkland)
The sign appears to have been changed and although the criminal aspect has been removed, it still suggests the beach is not a designated naturist beach. Technically this is true, as are all Crown authority beaches.
I conclude that my efforts have been a success.

[Phillip Green]

Following my successful mission to have the sign wording changed at Fraisthorpe in East Yorkshire, I am planning to continue with either complete removal, or wording changed on similar signs. I found one such sign at Cayton Bay, on the East Yorkshire coast. I also found a "write up" on the beach guide. I have sent information via the "correction" facility, to the site, in the hope that it will help update the existing misleading information.

The page can be found here:

https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-east-england/yorkshire/cayton-bay.htm

My response is as follows:

Despite any sign suggesting that naturism is prohibited and 'offenders' may be prosecuted, this is not true. The law regarding nudity in public places was clarified in the spring of 2018 following many years of campaigning by The Naturist Action Group and later joined by British Naturism, resulting in parliamentary debate, concluding that passive nudity in public places, including beaches, open countryside, woodland, parks and gardens, country lanes, rivers, ponds, etc. is perfectly lawful unless the intention of the naked person is to cause alarm or distress, including behaviour of lewd or lascivious nature.  The Police and Crown Prosecution Service were issued guidance regarding reports and cases of nudity in public places.
Naturists are no longer confined to "designated" areas and may use any Crown authority beach, therefore councils cannot prohibit naturism, nor can they threaten prosecution of persons abiding by the law, which includes naturists enjoying nature's elements whilst naked in appropriate places.
I personally, as part of the Naturist Action Group, successfully had the wording changed on a similar sign at Fraisthorpe beach. It too threatened prosecution and suggested Naturism was an indecent act! The new sign now says, "This is not a designated naturist beach", which is technically true, as designated naturist beaches no longer exist and so all Crown authority beaches are not designated but can be lawfully used by naturists. The old traditional beaches will continue to be used but are not the only option for naturists.

Phillip