| British Naturism | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | BN |
| Legal status | Non-profit organisation |
| Purpose/focus | Naturism in the UK |
| Location | 30-32 Wycliffe Road, Northampton |
| Region served | UK |
| Membership | UK naturists |
| President | Angela Russell |
| Main organ | Executive Council |
| Affiliations | International Naturist Federation |
| Website | British Naturism |
British Naturism (until 2009, Central Council for British Naturism) is recognised by the International Naturist Federation as the official national naturist society in the United Kingdom.
Contents |
British Naturism traces its origins to 1891 when a short lived society called the 'Fellowship for the naked trust' was formed in British India. This trust had ideals and principles very similar to many later organisations.
Harold Booth published articles pertaining to naturism in many magazines at the turn of the century, and in 1922 the English Gymnosophist Society was formed as a direct result of his work. It had a site in Wickford, Essex, which it used during the summer, and in winter it held meetings in London. By 1926 the EGS was called the New Gymnosophy Society and had a site at Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire which has subsequently been used by many different clubs.
Concurrent to this, naturism was also practised at the Welsh Harp in Hendon, apparently from as early as 1921. From this sprang the National Sun and Air Association which ran national advertisement campaigns, as well as running a gymnasium in Westbourne Grove, London. By 1937, membership of this society was running at over 2000.
N F Barford had also formed his Sun Bathing Society which promoted sun and air bathing for families, during the same period.
In 1943 the British Sun Bathing Association was formed and became recognised as a national federation of clubs, which by 1951 had 51 member clubs or groups. However by 1953, personal and ideological differences led to the formation of the rival Federation of British Sun Clubs.
Both these organisations existed until the merger in 1964 created the 'Central Council for British Naturism' (CCBN). By 2006 CCBN was usually referred to as 'British Naturism' but has officially dropped the 'Central Council for' in favour of the less formal 'British Naturism' since the 2009 AGM, and had a membership of about 13,000.[1]
Britisn Naturism has sought legal and political protection against discrimination for naturists in the United Kingdom, where it estimates the naturist population at 1.5 million people. [2]
Notable milestones in the development of naturism in the United Kingdom included: