our journey into naturism

I suppose it started in my early teens when I saw adverts in our local paper announcing an open day at the North Kent Sun club ( Now better known as the Naturist Foundation) in Kent.) I realised that I was too young to attend albeit the idea stuck in my mind.

In around 1970 I belonged to a group who met weekly and had guest speakers, one of which was one of the principals of North Kent Sun Club who gave a really interesting presentation about naturism and I decided then that the lifestyle could well suit me. I was however a pretty skinny individual, very shy with serious body image concerns.

I was working locally at the time and so I was home by 4.30 pm and finding some time I decided to strip off and lay out in my parent’s garden. My father at least, was quite Victorian in his outlook so I had to be careful not to get caught. However, the freedom of the sun’s rays touching my nakedness convinced me that Naturism was definitely for me. This was my little secret!!

In 1973 I married Sue and yearly I saw the open day adverts again. To a certain degree Sue was a little prudish but in 1977 I plucked up the courage to suggest we went along to see what it was like. Although with a little reluctance, she agreed but made it quite clear she would not go naked on that day. It was a beautiful warm sunny late May afternoon when we arrived at the gates of The Naturist Foundation and having parked the car, we were escorted to the pavilion, registered and were shown around the grounds passing so many naked and tanned bodies after which were left to our own devices. Having found a quiet spot I was the first to strip off . Little did I know but Sue had a bikini under her dress, and just took her dress off. She fancied a swim but the rules dictated No Clothing Allowed in the pool. After a while but not wanting to pressure her, I suggested she went topless and she did, followed soon after by the bikini bottoms. By the end of the afternoon we were pretty comfortable in our naked state and immediately joined and remained members until 2007.

What both of us realised was whatever shape or size you are, it is the person within that matters. Everybody was so friendly and we were made to feel so welcome. I have suffered from depression and low self-esteem for many years and also being in a fairly stressful job in the City. When we retreated to the 50 acres in Orpington, much of the stress lifted. My skinniness didn’t matter and we have made many friends over the years, and brought up two children understanding what Naturism is about. They regrettably have not followed in our footsteps but that has been their choice.

Our wider family do not know about our love of naturism and it hasn’t been necessary to tell them. We choose amongst our circle of friends we tell and have never had any negative response. We live next to our village bowling green, separated by a thick hedge. In the autumn we had it lowered although still at a height which avoided anyone seeing over or so I thought…… I was outside soaking up some sunshine and working on one of my painting when a voice from the green passed the time of day. I was caught unaware but I braved it out. When the individual came over for coffee during the week I told him that we are longstanding naturists. He was unfazed and told me that when down in Dorset he and his wife often went to Studland beach and stripped off.

As members of ANW are aware, my hobby is Oil Painting and seem to have my inspiration when naked. I am yet to paint clothed . Since I retired almost 10 years ago, as much time as possible is spent naked around the house and garden. I am much more open about naturism than I ever have been and why not!! Mike Tuffley

I suppose it started in my early teens when I saw adverts in our local paper announcing an open day at the North Kent Sun club ( Now better known as the Naturist Foundation) in Kent.) I realised that I was too young to attend albeit the idea stuck in my mind.

In around 1970 I belonged to a group who met weekly and had guest speakers, one of which was one of the principals of North Kent Sun Club who gave a really interesting presentation about naturism and I decided then that the lifestyle could well suit me. I was however a pretty skinny individual, very shy with serious body image concerns.

I was working locally at the time and so I was home by 4.30 pm and finding some time I decided to strip off and lay out in my parent’s garden. My father at least, was quite Victorian in his outlook so I had to be careful not to get caught. However, the freedom of the sun’s rays touching my nakedness convinced me that Naturism was definitely for me. This was my little secret!!

In 1973 I married Sue and yearly I saw the open day adverts again. To a certain degree Sue was a little prudish but in 1977 I plucked up the courage to suggest we went along to see what it was like. Although with a little reluctance, she agreed but made it quite clear she would not go naked on that day. It was a beautiful warm sunny late May afternoon when we arrived at the gates of The Naturist Foundation and having parked the car, we were escorted to the pavilion, registered and were shown around the grounds passing so many naked and tanned bodies after which were left to our own devices. Having found a quiet spot I was the first to strip off . Little did I know but Sue had a bikini under her dress, and just took her dress off. She fancied a swim but the rules dictated No Clothing Allowed in the pool. After a while but not wanting to pressure her, I suggested she went topless and she did, followed soon after by the bikini bottoms. By the end of the afternoon we were pretty comfortable in our naked state and immediately joined and remained members until 2007.

What both of us realised was whatever shape or size you are, it is the person within that matters. Everybody was so friendly and we were made to feel so welcome. I have suffered from depression and low self-esteem for many years and also being in a fairly stressful job in the City. When we retreated to the 50 acres in Orpington, much of the stress lifted. My skinniness didn’t matter and we have made many friends over the years, and brought up two children understanding what Naturism is about. They regrettably have not followed in our footsteps but that has been their choice.

Our wider family do not know about our love of naturism and it hasn’t been necessary to tell them. We choose amongst our circle of friends we tell and have never had any negative response. We live next to our village bowling green, separated by a thick hedge. In the autumn we had it lowered although still at a height which avoided anyone seeing over or so I thought…… I was outside soaking up some sunshine and working on one of my painting when a voice from the green passed the time of day. I was caught unaware but I braved it out. When the individual came over for coffee during the week I told him that we are longstanding naturists. He was unfazed and told me that when down in Dorset he and his wife often went to Studland beach and stripped off.

As members of ANW are aware, my hobby is Oil Painting and seem to have my inspiration when naked. I am yet to paint clothed . Since I retired almost 10 years ago, as much time as possible is spent naked around the house and garden. I am much more open about naturism than I ever have been and why not!! Mike Tuffley