Campaign for recognised clothing optional beaches.

[Duncan Heenan]

Naturist Action Group
 
Beaches – a new campaigning approach
When they go to the beach in the summer, most naturists would prefer to go naked to enjoy the sun and sea. For that reason, many confine themselves to the few officially recognised naturist/clothing optional beaches, or one of the out-of-the way ‘tolerated’ ones. Legally this self-imposed ghettoism is not necessary because innocent nudity in the UK is legal. So why don’t we naturists just strip off on the most convenient beach, and enjoy it as nature intended? Generally it’s because whatever the law may say, people don’t want hassle, and because society hasn’t yet caught up with the law, many naturists or would-be naturists, fear that they will get hassle if they strip off somewhere where it isn’t the accepted practice.
This reticence to be a pioneer is understandable. Naturists go to the beach to relax, not to run the risk of aggro from other beach users, the police or park wardens. The very few conflicts which do occur almost never result in any official action; but just the possibility in the back of the mind is enough to make people either travel big distances to find somewhere ‘safe’, or to keep their clothes on, or to just not go to the beach at all. So having the right to do it doesn’t seem to be leading people to actually do it. What they need is that feeling of safety which comes from official acceptance of naturism.
Following this train of thought, Naturist Action Group  has decided to mount a campaign in 2021 to try to persuade more  Local Authorities in coastal areas to formally recognise suitable beaches in a way that will give people the confidence to use them, knowing that no-one will object. Fortunately we already have a few ‘official’ beaches in the UK to point to, plus of course many hundreds on the Continent and further afield, where such arrangements are common. We acknowledge that there is an argument that this will arm the prudes with the notion that if naturists have ‘official’ beaches, they should therefore stay clothed on other beaches. However, as we said above, naturists aren’t going naked on 'textile’ beaches currently anyway, so in practise there is nothing to lose, except a theoretical argument. The hoped for benefit is that if nude beach use can be increased this way, more people will try naturism, and practice it regularly; and so it will become increasingly normalised. Other local authorities might see a fashion developing, and follow suit. It could also have economic and social benefits to such areas, by attracting visitors and allowing local naturists to stay local instead of travelling out of their area just to strip off.
NAG has a wealth of experience from 11 years of successful campaigning to both national and local authorities. However, the key to any kind of local or regional campaigning is local people and local connections. NAG can provide a lot of support, guidance and resources, but it is also vital to have local volunteers in or near target areas to work on the project. Exactly where the targets will be, will be influenced by who comes forward to volunteer. How would you like a recognised naturist beach as your heritage? Such campaigns can be great fun, especially as a group forms, as well as being virtuous. If you are interested in volunteering to be part of this project, please email NAG at duncan.heenan@naturistactiongroup.co.uk for a non-committal chat about it.
You can find out more about NAG at https://naturistactiongroup.co.uk

 

[Phillip Green]

I have placed this message on my Facebook group, "Lincolnshire Naturists UK" which I admin.
Hopefully, I may get some response.

Regards, Phillip Green

Hi all,  I have become involved as Lincolnshire area Representative in a new countrywide "Beaches" campaign for 2021, by The Naturist Action Group, lead by Duncan Heenan. (NAG director)

When they go to the beach in the summer, most naturists would prefer to go naked to enjoy the sun and sea. For that reason, many confine themselves to the few officially recognised naturist/clothing optional beaches, or one of the out-of-the way ‘tolerated’ ones. Legally this self-imposed ghettoism is not necessary because innocent, passive nudity in the UK is legal. So why don’t we naturists just strip off on the most convenient beach, and enjoy it as nature intended? Generally it’s because whatever the law may say, people don’t want hassle, and because society hasn’t yet caught up with the law, many naturists or would-be naturists, fear that they will get hassle if they strip off somewhere where it isn’t the accepted practice.
This reticence to be a pioneer is understandable. Naturists go to the beach to relax, not to run the risk of aggro from other beach users, the police or park wardens. The very few conflicts which do occur almost never result in any official action; but just the possibility in the back of the mind is enough to make people either travel big distances to find somewhere ‘safe’, or to keep their clothes on, or to just not go to the beach at all. So having the right to do it doesn’t seem to be leading people to actually do it. What they need is that feeling of safety which comes from official acceptance of naturism.
Following this train of thought, Naturist Action Group  has decided to mount a campaign in 2021 to try to persuade more  Local Authorities in coastal areas to formally recognise suitable beaches in a way that will give people the confidence to use them, knowing that no-one will object. Fortunately we already have a few ‘official’ beaches in the UK to point to, plus of course many hundreds on the Continent and further afield, where such arrangements are common. We acknowledge that there is an argument that this will arm the prudes with the notion that if naturists have ‘official’ beaches, they should therefore stay clothed on other beaches. However, as we said above, naturists aren’t going naked on 'textile’ beaches currently anyway, so in practise there is nothing to lose, except a theoretical argument. The hoped for benefit is that if nude beach use can be increased this way, more people will try naturism, and practice it regularly; and so it will become increasingly normalised. Other local authorities might see a fashion developing, and follow suit. It could also have economic and social benefits to such areas, by attracting visitors and allowing local naturists to stay local instead of having to travel miles out of their area just to strip off.
NAG has a wealth of experience from 11 years of successful campaigning to both national and local authorities. However, the key to any kind of local or regional campaigning is local people and local connections.      -  Duncan Heenon

My role is to gather a group of interested people who feel they would benefit from areas of beaches along the Lincolnshire coast, to enjoy naturism and which would ultimately become hassel free if the campaign is successful. I will also coordinate communication with the authorities concerned.

1.  We need to form a local campaign pressure group for when we are ready to approach the local authority.
2.  We need to identify at least one, and preferably two or more, beaches in the area which would be suitable. Many naturist beaches are very remote, but it defeats the object a bit if they are too difficult to get to. And of course we don't want to be relegated to somewhere that no one wants to visit.
3.  We need to find out which Council/Authority would have the legal authority to designate a beach as officially 'Clothing Optional'.
4.  We need to identify who the voting councillors are and prepare ourselves to test their existing opinion, and make out a case for a CO beach.

From experience, I personally haven't engaged any problems on the beaches I have used but for many, the thought of possible conflict can be very off-putting.
The nearest officially recognised naturist beach is in Holkham, North Norfolk, which is 88 miles from Lincoln.  Our nearest unofficially accepted beach is at North Coates.
The beach I tend to use most is North of Theddlethorpe. (North of Churchill Lane car park) I avoid the Dunes further down as there is lots of activity which is not of the Naturist ethos.
Please let me know if you are interested, or know anyone who may be interested in joining in the campaign and also if there are any areas of Lincolnshire beach you feel would be suitable. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Thank you,   Phillip.

[Phillip Green]

I received the following message from a member of my group and who is also the representative for "Women in Naturism" for BN. She raised some valid points, which I feel should be considered.

Regards,
Phillip Green

Morning Phillip.  I have just seen your post to the group about beaches.  Both John and myself are deeply concerned that this would be a step in the wrong direction. What is needed is acceptance by the local councils that simple nudity is legal and permissible in public and all of the Crown beaches under their control, and notices to that effect should be displayed at all entrances. Our reasons for our opinion is as follows:

1.  If naturists are on a ‘non-designated’ beach, this will cause a negative reaction from non-naturist beach visitors.
2.  Designated beaches will encourage voyeurs (meerkats) etc.
3.  Local residents will object if their beaches become designated.
4.  Clarification of the legal nudity guidance removed the necessity for designated naturist beaches.

We do use a beach in Lincolnshire as naturists (with no other naturists present at the same time) and we have not had an issue.  The beach warden even saw us last summer and waved.  We would be saddened if we became less welcome at our beach because another one has been erroneously ‘designated’ elsewhere.

With all due respect, we really feel this campaign is a retrograde step and we would not support it.

Donna & John

[Duncan Heenan]

The arguments used by Donna's & John were considered when NAG first started discussing the idea of a Recognised Beaches Campaign. We decided to try the approach of getting official recognition because there has been so little progress in getting naked use of beaches generally. In theory they may be right, but in practice people only use beaches where a tradition is established or where there is official recognition. But being right in theory doesn't change things, because no-one actually does anything about it. If, as they seem to suggest, the project were altered to trying to get 'awareness of nudity on public beaches', what would we actually be asking anyone to do? Councils would do nothing, as they would say that no change to law is being asked for. If they are proposing a campaign to the general public, I can't see what anyone are achieving, as it is only actual nude use of more beaches which is what will normalise it. At present this is not happening because naturists are scared of the hassle; and they are justified, because in practice if you go naked on most crowded beaches you will get hassle. If they want to campaign to naturists to get them to use 'textile' beaches naked, they are welcome to try. It has not worked so far, and I don't expect it will, as the abiding feature of the general naturist population seems to be apathy and the wish for a quiet life.

All campaigning is bound to encounter contrary views. It is disappointing when it comes from people you expected to be more sympathetic, but I don't consider it a reason to give up. But to address their specific points:

1. This is not a logical argument. Non designated beaches are not used by naturists now, so why, if there are designated beaches, do they assume that naturists are suddenly going to start using the non-designated beaches?
2. Why should designation of a beach attract undesirables any more than an unofficial beach used by naturists? It is the presence of naked people which encourages the undesirables, not the status the beach. D&J argue that they want all beaches to be used by naturists - doesn't that mean that all beaches will then attract undesirables? In fact if undesirables move in on a beach, it is more likely to have action taken by Officialdom to curb it, if it is an officially recognise beach, that if it is any old place.
3. This is an unjustified assumption, and has not happened where beaches have been designated. D&J's vision of all beaches being used for naturism means that they are expecting local residents everywhere to object to all nudity. This does not bode well for their idea of universal nudity!
4. I agree that in theory we can go naked everywhere, but the fact is we don't, and the campaign is trying to address the practical reason that people don't. It is not meant as the ultimate goal. It is a stepping stone which might be achieved, rather than holding out for too much - which simply will not be given. It is a practical, achievable compromise which can lead on. Asking for the moon is rarely successful. 

[Duncan Heenan]

Sad to report that this campaign has been abandoned due to a lack of volunteers willing to put it into practice.

Things will only change if you change them.