Hengistbury Head

[Keith Wheeler]

It seems that the letters complaining about naturists at Hengistbury Head have started earlier this year. Interesting, but not surprising, that the Bournemouth Echo is happy to publish a letter in full which refers to us as "deviants". Encouraging though, there are more supporters than insults or criticism directed towards us this time. This type of publicity offers an opportunity for respondents to point out what most people already know: any beach can be used by naturists if it suits their preference.  However, most of us would prefer to adopt the practice which seems to be the order of the day at many of the sandy coves along Dorset coastline, which turn into "naturist beaches” if the naturists arrive first in the day, and sets the scene for everyone else who arrives later on afterwards too!

Letter: 'nudists are a disgrace to our lovely area' | Bournemouth Echo

[Murray]

I tried to engage with someone on a FB forum who claimed to be giving the 'moral opinion'. I wanted to point out that morality is subjective and a society's moral standards evolve. We are fortunate to live in a country where a majority now seem to understand that simple nudity is not immoral. This still leaves a large minority who feel the opposite and who are well within their rights to express that opinion. The problem now seems to be that some elements in the press are happy to voice only one side of the debate. Any negative press needs to be met with a strong but well argued response. Publicizing negative press articles in Naturist circles so that many naturists might write to the editor etc must help educate those in positions of influence to realise our side of the argument has most merit.