Tag Archives: Devon

A revealing glimpse into Torbay Sun Club – the nudist club where members include a former headteacher and a police officer
“It’s very liberating, freeing and relaxing and has nothing to do with sex”

During the working day, healthcare worker Brett Crane blends in with society’s expectations, but as soon as he goes home, and wherever it is accepted in public places, he sheds off all of his clothes.

The 55-year-old openly admits to having been a nudist all his life and for the past eight years has been chairman of Torbay Sun Club, one of the UK’s largest naturist swim and sauna clubs.

Members meet for different social events Cliff Luke

The club, which has been running for more than 40 years, has around 120 active members who range in age from 18 into their 80s, and come from all walks of life and professions such as a retired headteacher, police officer, postman, artist and finance worker in London.

Brett, who is a logistics assistant and lives in Exeter, said: “Most members are couples, although we do have single members. We do like to keep a gender balance if we can and draw members from Exeter, Torbay, Plymouth and further afield.

“The majority are in their 50s although we do have a wide range of ages. Members come from every walk of life from blue collar right through to senior management roles and everything in between.”

Continued…Read full original article…

Source: DevonLive

Original publication 3 AUG 2019

Posted on NatCorn 2 weeks ago

Devon, group, naturism, sites and clubs, swimming, Torbay

Reference to an article does not infer endorsement of any views expressed.

Driver survives dramatic 400ft cliff plunge on to nudist beach in north Devon
The bloodied driver managed to scramble from the wreck after it landed on the rocky beach below, which is popular with naked sunbathers

A DRIVER survived a 400ft cliff plunge on to a nudist beach.

He scrambled from the wreck bloodied but not seriously injured after it landed on rocks.

The driver survived a 400 ft cliff plunge on to rocks on a nudist beach

The car plummeted from one of Britain’s steepest roads on to Sillery Sands, a secluded north Devon beach popular with naked sunbathers in summer.

The shaken motorist managed to clamber up to some holiday flats to raise the alarm.

Witness Patricia Cannock said: “He doesn’t remember much but his face was a mess. He must have had a guardian angel looking out for him.”

Paramedics, police and more than 20 firefighters rushed to the scene.

An RNLI lifeboat crew was also scrambled to join other rescuers in case anyone else had been in the vehicle.

Devon and Cornwall Police incident manager Tony Joslin said: “It looks like the driver has had a pretty miraculous escape. The damage to the vehicle is extensive. Continued…Read full original article…

Source: The Sun

Original publication 11th March 2019

UPDATE: It was not initially clear whether the man was inside the car as it plunged to the bottom of the cliff or not.

Lynton Fire Station posted a report on Facebook in which they said the driver “had escaped the vehicle before it fell the full 200m and was able to get help from a nearby building”. Source: DevonLive

Posted on NatCorn 14th March 2019

The after hours swimming club where everyone gets naked
Blinds have to be drawn, windows are blacked out and you have to sign in at the entrance

Every fortnight Plympton Pool hosts a rather special event for one of the city’s more unusual organisations.

On the surface ‘Plymouth Sun Club’ sounds fairly nondescript, you might be inclined to believe it’s a group of sun chasers desperate to sunbathe in spite of our mostly cloudy and unpredictable weather.

Perhaps they’re massive fans of right wing tabloid journalism and cheap coupon holidays? (Thankfully not)

In reality Plymouth Sun Club is a group of people who like to get naked.

This starkers society started life as the ‘Sunwest Club’ but folded in the late 1990s. In 2012 a man reinstated the group after finding there was nowhere in the city for naturists to meet up and practise their hobby.

The Sun Club as we know it today has been running since its inaugural event in April 2013 and has around 30 members.

Understandably some constituents of the group like to keep their pastime private.

This is probably because the nudist lifestyle is still the butt (sorry) of jokes and judgement, despite, shock horror , the fact we’re all naked underneath our clothes. Continued…Read full original article…

Source: PlymouthLive

Original publication 24 SEP 2018

Posted on NatCorn 26th September 2018

Nude paintings removed from cathedral art display after complaints of ‘distress’
A SERIES of nude paintings have been removed from a cathedral’s art exhibition after they “distressed” visitors and worshippers.

The four acrylic canvas works by local artist Joe Greenwood were on display at Portsmouth’s Anglican cathedral as part of a summer show by the Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society (PHAS).

But a cathedral spokesman said that a number of visitors complained about the paintings, leading to the decision to remove them.

Artist Joe Greenwood with two of his nude paintings Portsmouth News/Solent News

The Diocese of Portsmouth spokesman said: “Portsmouth Cathedral aims to be a space open to everybody.

“Whenever a public exhibition takes place in a church it is important to weigh up how it relates to our main purpose of being a place for prayer, reflection and worship. Continued…Read full original article…

Source: The Express

Original publication Aug 3, 2018

Posted on NatCorn 2nd September 2018

Devon & Cornwall and Dorset police forces consider merger as part of ‘closer relationship’

Dorset Police and Devon & Cornwall Police have today announced plans to develop a ‘closer relationship’ between the two forces.

One of the options being considered is a full merger between the two forces into one force.

The potential merger would be the first of its kind since 1974. ITV West Country

This follows a four-year programme between the forces that the forces say has led to more efficient work.

A consultation with stakeholders, local MPs and councils, on all the options being explored, are set to begin in the next few weeks. Cont…Read full original article…

Source: ITV

07 September, 2017, 5:20 pm

Twenty six bare bottoms on a Devon beach for the Great British Skinny Dip
Two Women’s Institute members from Sherborne in Dorset made the trip for the dip, as did a couple from Germany

They came from far and wide to take part in a mass skinny dip in Paignton at the weekend. Organised by the Torbay Sun Club, the event was one of dozens all over the country celebrating the art of skinny dipping.

The Great British Skinny Dip at Hollicombe Maureen Douglas-Green

British Naturism say: “There is nothing quite as liberating and life-affirming as swimming without clothes and feeling the wonderful sensation of the water over your whole body.

“Millions of people around the world have discovered the joys of skinny-dipping and the Great British Skinny Dip provides an easy opportunity for many others to give it a go – and find out what they are missing.” Cont…Read full original article…

Source: DevonLive

05 September, 2017, 5:10 pm

First fines given out as fishermen flout new controls at Devon beauty spot
The catch limit is 20 mackerel but some are taking way bags full from this special site

The first fines have been issued to anglers who are taking too much fish and leaving too much rubbish at a Devon beauty spot.

It came as volunteers cleared tens of kilos of lost or discarded fishing gear from the waters around Hope’s Nose endangering the marine wildlife in Torbay which has a marine conservation zone.

Large volumes of fish caught by individuals. This is a breach of the PSPO in place at Hopes Nose.

The cliffs at Hope’s Nose have long been popular with anglers because of the rock platforms. Different species of fish are targeted by anglers. It is reliable mackerel fishing, these can be caught in large numbers.

But while most anglers and other users in the area act responsibly, there have been concerns about antisocial behaviour including camping and dumping rubbish at the spot which is recognised as of special scientific interest. Cont…Read full original article…

Source: DevonLive

24 August, 2017, 6:30 pm

Where are the nudist beaches in and around Exeter?
Where can you go to get your kit off by the sea?

A lot of people like to go to the beach on sunny days and in light of the recent spell of hot weather in Exeter – sometimes it can just be too hot for a swimsuit.

So whether you call them clothes free, naturist or nudist beaches there are plenty in and around Exeter to visit during the hot weather.

Where are the nudist beaches in and around Exeter?

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, naturists shouldn’t be prosecuted unless they are involved in an offence other than public nudity. Cont…Read full original article…

Source: DevonLive

23 August, 2017, 5:20 pm

A Gin Festival will be held as the Devon Street Food Awards are judged

A Devon Festival which has become synonymous with fine food, craft and music of the highest quality is this year for the first time holding a Gin Festival. The Devon Street Food Awards will once again be judged as Bovey Tracey will be full of inspirational and exciting street food producers, and eclectic, exciting and above all delicious mix of street food will be able to be sampled at the Nourish Festival.

But this year for the first time, organisers have announced that they will be running the Nourish Gin Festival at the same time.

The Nourish Contemporary Craft Fair will be hosted in the Methodist Church Hall, showcasing beautiful handmade craft from across the South West with craft demonstrations and other craft events taking place at Devon Guild of Craftsmen.

Other events include The Bovey Bake Off and Junior Bovey Bake Off which will once again get the community reaching for their mixing bowls judged by the town’s own Queen of Cakes, Tracey Godwin. …Read full original article…

Source: Devon Live

14 August, 2017, 6:10 pm

A major new campaign against tombstoning in Devon has been launched

Police, lifeboat bosses and council chiefs have launched a new campaign to try and stop people putting their lives at risk by tombstoning off Plymouth Hoe.

Campaign against tombstoning in Plymouth

Citing recent injuries and tragedies – including one incident in 2016 where a man died after misjudging the distance and landing on the rocks below instead of the water – the authorities are highlighting the dangers which go hand-in-hand with the activity. Read full original article…

Source: DevonLive

8 August, 2017, 6:20 pm

Germans who flock to south west confused over difference between Devon and Cornwall (there’s plenty!)

For centuries Devon and Cornwall have been split by an intense rivalry over their distinctive charms, their inhabitants arguing over anything from whether jam or clotted cream goes first on a scone to which one invented the pastie.

And that’s before they move on to who has the best coastline or the finest towns and villages.

Cream or jam first on the scone? Just one of the differences between Devon and Cornwall Getty Images

But relations between the two are set to hit a new low with the discovery that some of the area’s most devoted fans cannot tell one from the other. Read full original article…

Source: The Telegraph

6 August, 2017, 12:45 pm

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