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Growing numbers of people getting the urge to strip naked and walk around in only their birthday suit should follow one piece of advice: be ready to take something to cover up - a naturism expert has cautioned.
In the UK, there is no law against being naked in public, but courts have public order and sexual offences laws available to them. "When out walking naked, go prepared," spokesman of British Naturism - Andrew Welch advised.
"The problem is not the nudity, but the unexpected nature of it," he said. "Naturists are sensitive to the feelings of other people, so they should be ready to cover themselves up by carrying a towel."
Welch said the number of nudists and would-be natutrists in Britain was in the millions. That would suggests it has the potential to take up an awful lot of court time. British Naturism gets involved in up to two cases a year where a naturist's hobby has got them in trouble with the law.
"The main thing to say is that being naked in public is not illegal," he said. "There have been cases where naturists have been sent to court but these cases are thrown out because there is nothing wrong about it."
For evidence that nudism is alive and well in Britain, then Cornwall recently would have been a good place to find out. Around 500 people enjoyed the festival experience of entertainment, food and drink - all completely naked.
"Appreciating naturism and not being scared by it requires a mental leap which is easy to make. We all come in to the world without clothes on and we did not get a rule saying 'get dressed.' Anyway, who would want to be all dressed up in the great weather we're having?"
Welch's final point is a strong one. But do take a towel, or risk explaining your state to a police officer. There are also other practical reasons for carrying a towel while rambling. "You should have a towel for sitting down outdoors, anyway," he added.
2013.07.15 International Business Times
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