THE HOMECOMING
The sun club that shines from within
They dashed away all the hatred from last year. For the first time I belonged. If this is the only club day of my life, I shall remember:-
- Marsha and John, who do everything with a smile, they almost adopted me, and, you know, I would let them;
- Chris who may give me some hint how to move forward in a swimming pool;
- Ian, so laid back and edenist, who begged me to go on one of his SOC walks;
- Roger, great intelligence, beautiful view of his world, close to the earth's soul;
- Thelma, so glamorous even sexless old me could hardly fail to notice, relaxed me so much.
- Andy, who made me laugh in the swimming pool (possibly dangerous!).
- Stuart, so easy to get on with, and his young son whose every sentence finished with a question mark;
- Barman John, who calmed me with the familiar culture of Scotch;
- finally Steve and Lisa, so libertarian and accepting, who made me laugh with them, Steve genuinely interested in me and who forced me out of the body-hiding towel to be open about myself. He gave me presence, she gave me belief in my heart. Steve! If you're a doctor, the world is in serious trouble. But at least it will die laughing!
I have met good people before, but never so many in one place. I shall calm down. It was an extraordinary day, more than the usual campers, a party that lasted till 3am, three hours beyond the norm. I may eventually vegetate into their pastures, if they will have me.
For all of you it is obviously hard to understand that it could mean something just to not be stared at; just for once, to be nobody! But on Sunday morning, for the first time in my life, apart from the Great British Body, I lived my life to the full with no pressure, no reproach, no fear. I don't even remember being me!
Tuesday, 25th August 2009
If I could trust all of naturism, I would tell you where I found these people, but there are others out there, only a few, but enough, who would go out of their way to destroy me with my new friends. I am quite capable of upsetting them myself with my childishness. I do not need any help from those who only help themselves. I don't see how I could be so important. Please just leave me alone to waste away my years where I'm wanted.
Beach reviews
Holkham: Endless Sands
British Naturism - Beach Users SIG
How off the beaten track is this venue? Well, Satnav's dulcet tones left us at Well-next-the Sea, whence we had to take further directions (twice), arriving after a further round-trip at about 1:45pm.
The powers that be kindly warned us of the ample hike from Lady Anne's Drive carpark, but failed to advise us that there was what seemed a further 2-mile walk from the BN beach campsite to the sea itself. It is the first nudist beach I have ever visited that is wider than it is long! Knowing that the Wash (just up the road) is notorious for it's 20-mile tides, one kept an ever-vigilant look at the long-distance tidal threat to the tentsite. Having never visited the Sahara, I have not seen so much sand.
The usual suspects were there to keep us well fuelled with tea and to cajole us into beachvolley, unsuccessfully in my case (injured reserve; sprained ankle). The refreshment tent was kept busy by over a hundred supporters who largely simpered back to their solitary retreats in the dunes and their exposed windbreaks on the beach itself. Yes, the wind was reasonably strong, so much as to sow the grain of my quinoa lunch across the beach. Next year's maize harvest should be a bumper crop!
The wind had other victims. There had been a proliferation of greenfly in these parts over the months and the email message had obviously reached [email protected]. The beach was infested with millions of our colourful European invaders, with the xenophobic wind tossing them repetitively on their backs in a humorous flail of tiny legs. The main worry was not the inconsequential nips and bites, but how many made their involuntary way into our lunches.
A changing weather forecast, no matter which website you counselled, turned out to be pessimistic. High cumuli teased us throughout but it was very simply a sunny day at the beach, despite the wind. Considering the North Sea is one of the Northern Hemiphere's coldest seas, rumoured to supply Tesco with ready frozen mackerel, the water was as a warm jacuzzi. Punctuated with the occasional splash of the youthful fry of naturism's future shoals, a keen crowd of BN human basking whales and porpoise dotted the shore line and was ill-advisedly coerced into a hearty photographic run from the sea. Frighteningly, this is due to adorn the pages of next year's Country and Coast magazine with local historic images harking back to naked Vikings, charging and hollering in a coastal invasion.
The peaceful image of the traditional British Naturism day therefore took on a temporary more boisterous hue that eventually saturated into the calm of a warm evening, tempting so many to stay beyond their scheduled departure.
Reluctantly, as the sunny day dozed gilded towards 6pm, I reluctantly folded away my tent and headed back with Joe via the concrete and tarmac confessional boxes to financial penance. The thought prevails of a place in the sun beyond maps, where even the most diligent creditor could never find his David Livingstone.
And yet, Holkham Beach remains enchantingly an escape to rather than an escape from.
Is naturism really a community?
IN THE BUFF - re: unsupportive members
Is naturism really a community? By definition, that is something where the members stand by and look out for their colleagues. Community is the one word our sunloungers need to learn. It does not mean hanging out in a clique thanks to everyone else's efforts. It means togetherness and reciprocation.
I received a message on In the Buff today which proved that more naturists than I expected are happy to lounge about on other people's hard work, but get touchy when asked to do their benefactors one small favour in return. It destroys their lifestyle of privilege. In effect it is they who have been getting the preferential treatment from the hard work of people they in return neglect. This is why people who give of themselves voluntarily in life are eventually forced to give up.
Nobody here lives in a cave. They all know what has happened to me this year. I have quietly put myself out for everyone else for over a year. Then, this January, I went down with M.E.. Ask Sue Piper what it does to you! I was housebound, debilitated & depressed and all I wanted was a place I could lay out and convalesce. Nothing more! Nobody on the club scene wanted to help. Then after a May of working hard with my colleagues to give everyone else the WNBR, I was badly injured. Against that has been the stress of Individual Voluntary Administration. Again, where was the considersation for my welfare? All I wanted was to get out and recover in comfort and amongst company. Ironically, as everyone who knows me personally will confirm, I would still have put in more than I took out. They all knew, but I was shoved back to the rear of every queue! Possibly so that the smarmy friends of the overprivileged could get preferential treatment instead. This is not what naturism is famous for, is it?
Somehow the whole community went missing! (not my words, the words of a leading naturism official!) They themselves will not understand why. Simply because many are incapable of understanding! Even if things turn out ok, naturism can never, never atone for the times I needed it most and was left to rot. I was asking nothing compared to what the average nudist sucks out of the lifestyle from the comfort of his sunlounger. I think the trouble is there are far too many people in the world who have had life given to them on a plate to understand when somebody actually needs some help.
This is why naturism will not become socially accepted any day soon. Because, unlike the gay community and its members that stood together and looked out for each other, right now, in reality, naturism is NOT a proper community.
Beach reviews
Valediction of Shoreham Beach
Yahoo Groups - Brighton Naturism
I am not just bidding up my latest photographic memento in the luxurious waters of Shoreham beach!
I am calling our singleton of a sunburst day on Saturday 30th August in an otherwise sodden void of a summer.
At least 100 made it to the secret slopes of Shoreham beach to squint into the memory of last summer's tan. In a first for 2008, Shoreham welcomed people of all generations and several families to its retreating waves and singing sand flats.
We were warmed by the beautiful sight of couples' trailing footprints illustrating book-covers of summer romances in the sand..... children reliving Kensuke's Kingdom, chasing the tides and digging up a kaleidoscopic wonderland of starfish and elusive sandworms..... daring pioneers straining farther and farther out into the shallows for enough depth to swim with due bravado..... bronze statues of sun worshippers cast against the storm wall as a timeless tribute to the Valley of the Kings.
This was one last valedictory breath that sent a dying summer to its red, autumnal resting place with a splash of dazzling gold.
Now there is only my memento, staring timelessly into the lens in admonishment of those who missed this fleeting glimpse of naturist paradise.
Stunning!
TAUNTING AND ABUSIVE
Ms Golden, for f***'s sake Not again!
Skinbook
Hello my Skinfriends.
These people have met me personally, know all about my condition, know I am male and have called me "Will" in all previous correspondence, of which there is plenty.
So is this obviously someone's idea of a joke? This is what these thugs sent me...
From: "lncmoderator"
Dear Ms Golden
We had a vote among members of London Naked Clubbers and 96% of respondents said they did not want you to rejoin because you are disruptive and irrational.
Chris Parkin
In the same month an Italian extremist comments on Barack Obama's suntan, I am taunted with "Dear MS GOLDEN"!
Genuine error? At odds of 20 million to 1 against it hitting the one person it can offend? I think not! They actually went to the trouble of changing from first name terms to surname just to have their little taunt. Also this f***ing coward cannot even be straight with me. It is NOT Chris Parkin, the Starkers owner, who is a friend of mine. Three weeks ago he sat down with me asking me if I could find a possible extra venue for Starkers in Brighton. I now have contacts who I have made voluntarily, arranged meetings with, in my own time, for no personal gain and for Starkers' benefit, at Chris's request. He wouldn't do it to me.
I don't want this to get out to the general public, it's too embarrassing, just for my friends please! But right now I feel so low and I need my friends, to stand by me more than ever.I seriously can't take these insults any more. It hurts.
Ms Golden, for f***'s sake!
Sent Nov 14
Will I am so sorry to hear this, unfortunately there are a lot of cruel people in the world today, thankfull I am not one of the, I hope. I wish I could just wave a magic wand and make these people just go away. I don' know what people get ot of these kind of things, just meaness I guess. If there is anything I could do for you I would. We are all like God made us and we are his children although I am not sure of some, I feel they may be more of the devil's children but feel sure in the end they will get what is coming to them for their abuse, we may no see it but I am sure they will..God Bless
Sent Nov 14
As always, please feel comforted in the fact that I accept you as you are. Mother Nature made us all unique in our own way, our role in life is to accept each other, help each other, work together to build a better society and ensure that we treat the natural world and fellow creatures with love and peace. I hope you are well and in good health. Always look on the bright side of life... Max Pratt
Sent Nov 15
Treat this with the contempt it deserves, wish I could get hold of whoever sent it, strip them and tie them upside down to something in Trafalgar Sq, and leave them there all day for the passing tourists to make fun of them! All the best Will you are a true naturist and a wonderful human being!
Cheers, Colin.
Sent Nov 15
Hi Will, Sorry to hear that this is happening to you. Unfortunately there are some people in nudism who are just selfish and full of themselves. Take it from me, they are not worth worrying about and I suggest you shake the dust from your feet and stick to the company of people like us who *DO* appreciate you as a person.
Sent Nov 15
wtf!?? dude you might want to report them if they're on here
Sent 16/11/2008 05:18
I will say again do not take stupid peoples ignorance personally just delete the comments when they come in. As they will as soon as you put your self out there for the public to see you got opened up for both sides of the fence those who accept you as you are and those ass holes who just tear down people. they give fat, skinny, long dick, short dick, saggy boobs, to big boob, to small boobs. (all based on their warped sense of normal/ their personal preference) The same type of uncalled for harassment and verbal abuse. Head up, and look up to God for the comfort you need in these trying times, and ask Him for the peace that passes understanding that He promises us in Philippians 4:6-9 We can give encouragement be He is with you when you are all alone. Take care Lorne
Sent Nov 15
Ill stand by you and when ive spoke with you in person found you to be a very normal bloke Dave
Sent Nov 15
Hi Will Don't take any notice, we on skinbook all support you and are your friends. Heather
Sent Nov 15
if you allow people to pull your string .... you will be dancing to their tune always, go on with your life and leave the silly wads to themselves .... SNSH
Sent Nov 17
Dear Will, I have not been on skinbook for ages (was in NZ for a month), but just so you know whoever did that was a mean piece of work nd karma will catch up with them. I am proud of you for being a pioneer in our community and in our wider circle. You are sticking it to the man and you are brazenly going where I don't think any man has gone before (not to my knowledge anyway). Keep at it! Love from Trace
Sent 15/11/2008 06:51
Hi Will, Chris phoned me last night to confirm that he had nothing to do with those messages. He thought Jamie might be behind it and suggested that you take it up with him. Apparently Jamie is still a major shareholder in Starkers. I thought he was no longer involved at all. However, my view is that unless you can be 100% certain - and I'm not - than it's best to ignore them rather than inflame things even more. Cheers, Colin.
Sent 16/11/2008 01:08
If they want to be that pathetic, let them. The only way they win is by letting them get to you.
ONE BAD EGG IN A WONDERFUL EUREKA BASKET From: Will Golden
I need a female companion for this Sat 1st Nov Hallowe'enparty at Eureka. I'm happy to go naked or in outrageous fancy dress, whichever you choose. All women are beautiful so your looks are immaterial as long as you wear a nice smile. I'm a boyish 45yo male, 5'5", cute I'm told and playful, a quirky but avid dancer. But though affectionate, I'm asexual and celibate, looking no further than casual friendship. Please message me [email protected] or call 07903019696 . Luv'n'Hugs Will Golden
> From: Will Golden
> > Kieran For the past few weeks I have frustratedly watched everyone else advertise forcompanions to Eureka events while my several messages don't seem to get through, with the sole off-topic exception of my wellwishes toJackie. I was so looking forward to the Hallowe'en party but now I am left with the risk of turning up alone or simply giving up. The daytime events have been great and easy-going, but this would be my 1st after dark venture into unknown territory. > > Can you advise me; is it the sort of event where several people turn up unaccompanied so I wouldn't be out of place? Or, is it 99% couples orientated and I would be the gooseberry? > > There's naff-all else to do this time of year and I'm starting to feel the freeze, regardless of the weather. > > Will Golden
Every time a posting is made on the eureka forum, 6,700 people receive an email in their inbox, so unfortunately I can't approve general comments or observations. This is in order to maintain the goodwill of members of the forum and hence maintain our large mailing list.
Regards Kieran
> From: Will Golden
Kieran
I didn't turn up!
It took them a while, but Yahoo finally confirmed that the following WERE delivered:
my 3 submissions in late September of my advertisement for a companion for 2nd October party. my 1 submission of the same to you a couple of days later. my 2 submissions to the group two weeks ago advertising for a companion for today's party my 1 submission of the same to you, to which you finally replied (below) Total: SEVEN submissions by me, ONE posted by you; too late!
You will remember my advert for the 2nd October social as follows:
I am looking for a courageous female to be my partner at Eureka naked club night next Thursday, 2nd October. I am a male a-sexual born with NO genitalia but I am fun and quite attractive, like Action Man lol, albeit just 5'5. Being naturally celibate sex is out of the question, but I am very affectionate. My dancing, not my sexuality, is my downside lol. Please "bare" in mind, you will be seen with a "meat-free" guy in a naked environment. Luv'n'Hugs
A bit in-your-face, maybe, but at least it saves Eureka facing complaints from a less-than-understanding female punter who is not forewarned that the physical condition of her companion for the night might not be what she felt entitled to expect.
After three submissions, you of course posted my advert for today's party as follows:
I need a female companion for Sat 1st Nov Hallowe'en party. I'm happy to go naked or in outrageous fancy dress, whichever you choose. All women are beautiful so your looks are immaterial. Male, 5'5", boyish 45, playful, cute, quirky but avid dancer, asexual/celibate but affectionate. Message me [email protected] or call 07903019696 . Luv'n'Hugs
A bit risky because I am not really explaining a key issue! But, you state in your reply that " this type of posting is always acceptable on the Eureka forum, particularly if I have met the individual in person."
To be fair to you, in your favour, this applies to people whether or not you have met them, viz:
Yes, another of those requests. Sorry. It's rather like seeing that "L" plate on the car in front. But then you remember you were a Learner once too. So thanks in advance to everyone else :-) I'm age 52 Male and never been naturist before. I have read the instructions and completed my profile including picture etc etc as well as I can. I have all the usual preconceptions and fears, which I expect will prove groundless in the end. I'm looking for a companion/companions for a first visit (anybody, Male or Female)to simply meet up in the car park, go in and find out how it all works. I could go on my own and will do so if nobody wants to come along. Yes I know Kieran and everybody else are only too pleased to help newbies. But it would still be nicer to have somebody in the same position for moral support, and I hope will make it a more fun experience than both finding our way around alone. Please email me direct to reply, by clicking reply direct link. Peter (Wetwednesday) 18th September
Am hoping to go to the singles evening on thursday. Is there anybody else who would like 2 meet me there? steven (greennrg) 17th September
Hi. Would anyone accompany me on my first visit say the first friday night in October. Mick. (micklong69) 20th September
hi everyone, hoping to go to the party on sat night but left it to late to book a cabin. does anyone have a caravan they wont be using willing to pay. thanks wendy and neil (NEIL HARDY) 23rd September
thank you for a great time at the party it was my first experience of eureka, it would be lovely if there was any single women who wouldnt mind escorting me to another party sometime although i do intend to pop along this wednesday in hope of meeting more people, and hopefully over a period of time a woman with some similar interests. thanks again Timbowell 2nd October
Hello world, Probably not the best time of year to be trying naturism for the first time :) I have been wanting to take the plunge for years but always pretended I was too busy.( Too nervous really ) I was just wondering if things would be quieter at this time of year, especially midweek, during the day...?? I am a male, 56. and would feel a lot more comfortable if a regular visitor would accompany me on my first visit and show me around..preferably female.. I would be happy to buy lunch in return for the favour.....I assume you can get lunch at Eureka ?? I can do most weekdays with a few days notice. Thanks in advance Chris (scroteybloke ) 13th October
Hello everyone, I live in South London and I am planning to go to Eureka this Saturday.Any volunteers for sharing a ride over there?It will be my first time so I will need some encouragment too. Regards, Socrates (sokyboy) 22nd October
You even tolerate posts by people who cannot be bothered to READ the website.
Another silly question from a newbie! curious7812 11th October
Well that seems like a good service to your punters. I was entitled to feel confident of getting my message out. So, what went wrong, Kieran? Why am I different? I cannot believe it is anything personal, because everything was fairly neutral on the videoshoot day. You say: I can't approve general comments or observations. There were no general comments. Everything was specific to finding an escort. I am sure there is a less than 10% chance that any one of the cited adverts (above) received positive replies. But you left me with 0%.
In the end the confidence setback meant that I could not take the risk in turning up, especially when you consider all the things against it:
(1) It was so far, several journey changes in awful weather over about 4 hours
(2) It was so expensive to get there and back, not a problem as long as you know you are getting a good time!
(3) In your reply (above) to my mail 2 days ago, you didn't answer the simple query "Can you advise me; is it the sort of event where several people turn up unaccompanied so I wouldn't be out of place? Or, is it 99% couples orientated and I would be the gooseberry? So, would I be isolated from a hedonist raunch or is it also good clean fun for singles?"
(4) Nobody really explained whether it was 99% fancy dress or 99% nudist or where in between. Suppose I had turned up as the only one in, or not in, fancy-dress? "....so fancy dress or nude, it's up to you!" is not enough.
(5) I wasn't sure if there was space at the inn or I was going to have to sleep rough for 4 hours in freezing conditions at the station. This was my fault, I should have enquired earlier online, then again assuming that you would have posted it in good time!
(6) Finally, of course, you didn't post my advert online for a companion until it was too late. This after the problems over the previous party!.
Yes, it looks like a no-no! But if I had been made to feel welcome, I would have turned up, guaranteed! Alan & Tina have lost �10 (I believe) on the deal and I am stranded at home depressed. Do you realise how little there is going on this time of year? Eureka is all there is for nudists, I cannot just give up on it.
The over-riding question remains.......... how do I get the same service, the same respect, as the eight punters above?
Keep trying, I guess!
Regards Will Golden
XENOPHOBIA From: Will Golden
You will have to bear with me because two subsequent PC crashes cost me my Thunderbird profile files, so I cannot reproduce the emails. Otherwise I would have taken this further with N.U.F.F. and British Naturism.
Early this year, in March 2008 to be precise, I decided it was time to find a place to belong; a naturist club where I could be free of the violence I suffered at theLondon clubs. I needed to be safe. Also I was never going to find a partner, so at least an extended family would give me some basis in life.
So I applied to four Sussex sun clubs. To avoid unpredictable reactions after joining, I fully explained my genital deficiency and neuter sexual profile. I knew I had to grovel and I admit my applications might have been a little too pleading. I just wanted to make sure I didn't say anything that might be taken as objectionable.
This was the first time I had come across discrimination against the single man. Well I am not the definitive, but I have many good unattached male friends. They are, without exception, not on the razzle. I can assure you it is the married man who escapes from his absent wife for a few hours who is the more likely predatory swinger. But clubs outside naturism are xenophobic, so if naturism is a reflection of mainstream society, we can hardly expect a nudist world totally free of prejudice. However, it does not make it right.
But sometimes one set of discriminatory rules can be used by individuals to mask something more sinister.
All four clubs advised me there was no further room on the single male waiting list. Three of my targetted clubs were very polite and apologetic, even inviting me to apply later.
The fourth was less accepting. I sent several emails asking for clarification, each one in turn more grovelsome than the previous, but was totally ignored. I posted a message on a sociable naturist site about it and a very friendly couple, Scarsandbumble, offered to make inquiries and even put in a word for me. I really appreciate their efforts for me, but even they were badly let down. The reaction from the club was total ostracism despite a raft of pleading emails from me. This was over a period of spring months in early 2008, during which I became aware of two single guys who had been accepted having applied after me. I emailed again asking for a review of my case as a single male, as I thought it was odd that these single males were fast-tracked past me. However I was not prepared for the response.
I was told I was unsuitable and that I was not to apply again.
I am certain, despite rejection, no other single male had been exiled so rudely. What had I done? Nothing! Why was I unsuitable and the other single males not? Suddenly it dawned on me that the reason other single males were fast-tracked ahead of me was because they had something I didn't. It was the only feasible difference.
It was not about being a single male. In this person's eyes, it was clearly about being an inadequate single male.
All of a sudden I felt like the black guy outside the doors of the Grand Dragon's homestead. Except that the black guy had others the same as him to take comfort with!
I am sure they didn't intentionally destroy my life; they just didn't want someone uncomfortable to look at! But evil is evil whether it is grievous or simply ignorant. I shall never forgive them and I swear to my God that anyone who supports them will not be my friend.
But what if they are vindictive. What if they blackball me with all the other clubs? What if they pursue me to the end of the Earth to drive me out of naturism? What if they take off me the only life I have?
Maybe I haver to strike first. I shall try again next year and, if 2009 does not stir some kind of conscience in these people, I shall publicly name this club and I shall complain to N.U.F.F. and British Naturism, even if I no longer have the proof.
I would not have been created special just for me to suffer hatred!