Nudity is liberating. I'm more comfortable without clothes

[chrisw91]

British Naturism is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Sue Thompson, a member of an East Yorkshire nudist club, tells Joanna Hunter about the freedom it gives her.

Naturism is a way of life that can only be judged once it has been tried. That is according to 61-year-old Sue Thompson, who has been a naturist for 25 years.

The lifestyle choice is often ridiculed, but after discovering the sense of freedom nudity brings, it is one Sue decided to follow.

"If you have never tried it, you don't know what you are missing," she said.

"It's very liberating, I'm much more comfortable without any clothes on.

"I can feel body conscious in clothes because I've not got the perfect figure, so I can try on a dress and think it makes me look bigger, but when you're naked, you just are what you are.

"You have to be comfortable with yourself, but there is a lot more eye contact between naturists.

"People seem very honest, when they aren't wearing clothes, there is nowhere to hide."

Sue said she believes naturism helps provide a sense of social equality because no one is judged by what they are wearing.

She said: "Generally, we tend to make opinions within three seconds of meeting a person, and it tends to be based on what they are wearing.

"It's a sub-conscious opinion, but if someone is naked, you can't tell whether they buy market clothes or designer labels and it's harder to judge someone."

Sue first discovered naturism while on holiday in France, when she and husband Denis discovered a nudist beach.

She said: "It just seemed natural to walk along the beach and join in because you felt more uncomfortable if you were dressed when everyone else wasn't.

"I wish we had discovered it sooner, I feel we discovered it quite late on in life."

The couple are members of an East Yorkshire nudist club, where they own a chalet.

They visit the site most weekends, where they play bowls, table tennis, swim and socialise.

"I like the friendships and meeting people who think the same as we do and have the same kind of lifestyle we have," said Sue.

"We go as often as we can, it's unusual if we aren't there on a weekend.

"You meet people from all different walks of life.

"It's the ideal place to go, everyone is very welcoming.

"It's not like a caravan site, the chalets are set back and cut into the woods.

"The site is set in 26 acres of woodland, it's a beautiful place, we spend our time relaxing, using the Jacuzzi, sauna and other facilities.

"You don't have to have your clothes off all the time. If it's cold, members will wear clothing, however, we are a naturist group, so obviously, we spend a lot of time with clothes off.

"I know all 150 members, so often, you might pop out for a walk and come back two hours later having stopped for a chat."

The club is 82 years old and today, there is a complete mix in the age of members, the youngest being in their 20s, right the way up to adults in their 80s.

The land is owned by the members and membership fees are ploughed back into the club to continually improve facilities.

The club believes it has the best naturist facilities in the north.

This year marks 50 years of British naturism – the UK's national organisation for naturism, which was launched in 1964.

It campaigns for clarity in the law and a greater understanding and acceptance of naturism.

It says its members still face many prejudices about outdoors nudity and some naturists hide their belief from friends who are not naturists.

Sue said: "Some people know I'm a naturist, others don't. We don't wear a badge saying we are, but if I feel people are genuinely interested then I'm happy to tell them more about it.

"I've had one or two people who think it is strange, who have said 'it's a bit odd, isn't it, to walk around with no clothes on?', but I just chat to them and explain it to them.

"We've all got different lifestyle choices, some people spend all weekend playing golf, you wouldn't catch me doing that because I don't like golf, the same as some people will never be naturists.

"At home, I do sometimes have no clothes on and we do go in the garden when it is warm with no clothes on.

"Our family are very supportive of our lifestyle."

Sue is keen to point out there is no link between naturism and sexuality.

She said: "There is nothing sexual about naturism. "A lot of people think ' they have their clothes off, so it must be sexual', but that is not the case."


http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/East-Yorkshire-naturist-Nudity-liberating-m/story-20959009-detail/story.html#14oUVFJ4JvpL9qUk.99