2019.03.03 Stoke-on-Trent Live
Naturists have stepped in to explain what family-friendly events are all about after plans for a nude swimming session for all ages in Stoke-on-Trent sparked outrage.
Pamela Fraser went to her first naturism event 14 months ago and stripped off for her 21st in Blackpool this weekend.
She was among 300 people who went skinny dipping at Sandcastle Water Park.
And the 27-year-old told the BBC that there is 'little difference' to normal swim sessions.
She has spoken out as
Festival Park's Waterworld is to host British Naturism this April and September.
Speaking to the BBC, Pamela said: "It's no different to going swimming with your costume on. A lot of female costumes don't hide much anyway.
"You soon realise people aren't interested in what you look like.
"The whole idea is you're stepping back from the stress of life and the feeling that you have to fit into a certain mould.
"You wouldn't take your work clothes with you when you go on holiday and when you go home you probably get changed.
"Sometimes I get in from work and take all my clothes off - that's me saying this is now my free time."
Based in Northampton and founded in 1964, British Naturism is the UK’s internationally recognised organisation for naturism.
Its Facebook group says it 'exists to unite and support naturists, to protect naturist places and provide more, make social nudity more acceptable across the UK'.
Pamela is one of 9,000 people who pay about £44 a year to be members.
It offers advice and support and organises days out and festivals - including NudeFest, NKD and Nudestock - across the UK.
As well as the swim sessions at Waterworld, other events include naked-dining near Stevenage, a pétanque tournament in Norwich and a two-hour boat trip in Scotland.
Another woman, aged 38, told the BBC: "I do understand where people are coming from in asking 'how can it be safe?'. It's just like any area of life, you always want to protect your children.
"But some don't have an understanding of the community. I've never once been worried about anything. When you're in something, it can often be very different to what others might perceive from the outside.
"The girls love the swimming events - the queues are much better than if you go on another day.
"There are some times when my daughter might say she wants to wear her bikini bottoms - and that's fine of course. Then she gets there and they decide she doesn't need them. It's their choice to go naked if they want to but, if not, that's also fine."
However, not everyone is happy with the events.
More than 1,400 people have signed a petition calling for a ban on naturist events where children are involved.
It states children are "at risk of being subject to abuse by sex offenders who may slip into the organisation unnoticed".
The session at Waterworld is being held on Saturday, April 13 from 8pm to 10pm. Another event will be held at the venue in September.
Waterworld doesn't advertise as the entire venue is rented out by the group, who take charge of the organising.
British Naturism event organiser Mark Walsh said: "Some of our events are open to non-members, which brings in new people. Otherwise we just do marketing the same as any other organisation - but mainly in nudist circles."
