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Naturists want a beauty spot on Hampstead Heath to be reserved for naked sunbathing.
They believe part of an area known as Cohen's Fields, between Kenwood House and Highgate, would meet an increasing demand.
The City of London Corporation last month rejected a request to increase a partitioned-off area beside the men's swimming pond but campaigner Michael Peacock has joined forces with British Naturism to submit a new application.
More than 1,000 people, including comedian Julian Clary and gay rights activist Peter Tatchell, had backed his initial call for more space beside the men's pond.
Mr Peacock said: “The ideal place would be Cohen's Fields. It's a very beautiful meadow. As long as it's properly signposted, people can then decide whether they want to be confronted by the sight of naked flesh.”
Reader views (14)
It's time to turn your life skin-side out
naturistspace . org
- sara, adger, 22/04/2010 06:56
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Its pathetic that Nobby ( oh yes pun intended! ) can only AS BEFORE make an issue of my name - if my name was Michael Smith....would that make any difference?
As to the other negative comments - been there got the t shirt - it just sums up that the attitude towards the clothes we were born with is light years away from the rest of mainland Europe.
- Michael Peacock, Finsbury Park - London, 13/04/2010 01:43
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Its pathetic that Nobby ( oh yes pun intended! ) can only AS BEFORE make an issue of my name - if my name was Michael Smith....would that make any difference?
As to the other negative comments - been there got the t shirt - it just sums up that the attitude towards the clothes we were born with is light years away from the rest of mainland Europe.
"Having to make a desision about whether to be confronted by a load of naked weirdos?" - IF an area is designated for naturists it will be clearly signed.
So tell me Sarah what why do you assume all naturists are weirdos?
"public spaces should not be syphoned off." So out of 790 acres - just a couple of acres...that's too much as a gesture to naturists in London - population 6.6 million
"It is not British and the perverts should get mental treatment if they cannot think of anything better to do with their time than to cavort naked. It's not as though nudists are ever even attractive people."
Why is it not British - is it about our moral code - and that the majority of children are conditioned to be ashamed by the clothes we were born with - so if we sunbathe with clothes on that's not cavorting then?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - you assume - as many do - who obviously have never been to a naturist area - that the majority are old men & women with 'dangly bits' the reality is far from your misguided perception.
I applaud the HHCC for being prepared to CONSIDER the proposal.
- Michael Peacock, Finsbury Park - London, 13/04/2010 01:40
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i am all for it. hampstead heath have historically been very bohemian and tolerant of all. that is why it has the only nudist space in the whole of uk. it would be in keeping with its bohemian legacy to have an open nudist space for all in a secluded part of the heath so that it continues to cater to everyone.
- Anthony Wong, london uk, 09/04/2010 12:31
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I visited a public clothes optional area in Lithuania last year and experienced humanity at its best. Far from people out to impress with fancy clothes or possessions, complete families were there, grand parents right down to toddlers, some naked, some dressed, others in between, all in one place enjoying the sun. These people were not weird or perverts, they were just ordinary people enjoying themselves. If we could have something like this in London, that would be fantastic. People would have an opportunity to experience the liberation of being clothes free out of doors without fear of offending anyone.
- Chris, Rotherhithe, London, 09/04/2010 08:37
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If you find nudity offensive for its own sake ask yourself WHY. Those of us who happen to enjoy being clothes free accept that others prefer to be clothed. In the UK you are expected to wear a swimsuit in the Sauna or Steamroom, a ridiculous idea to many other Europeans. The Scandinavians have been open minded and civilised for years; why not us.
- Sara, Adger, AL, 09/04/2010 02:20
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The comments on this article so far have been deeply offensive, because they have been based purely on prejudice. Vijay is right in what he starts by saying, but then jumps to a completely unreasonable conclusion based on supposition alone. Attacking someone for the name they were born with, Nobby, is very childish.
We should all be able to enjoy the same rights, whether or not we are attractive, Mryna. Who is to define what is attractive? Adolf Hitler once did that as I recall!
There are plenty of European nations where nudity in public parks is allowed and these are the very same nations that have the lowest rates of teenage pregnancy, abortions and STI's. No-one has ever been harmed by seeing a naked person in a non-sexual situation (as Vijay correctly stated), but great good can come from the more mature attitude that social nudity engenders.
Opinion polls have shown that very few people are offended by non-sexual nudity and events such as the World Naked Bike Ride are received very well by the crowds that line the streets, even though many of them will not have expected a crowd of naked cyclists to appear riding down the street.
- Brian Taylor - Pro For British Naturism, Tamworth, Staffs, UK, 09/04/2010 00:38
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There is a difference between naturism and sex. Some people find it liberating to walk around naked. When real naturists do this, the last thing they think of is sex. Indeed, when the kids are at school I sometimes walk around in the raw or in my boxers when working at home when the weather is hot. However, this place being where it is, next to an area know to be frequented by cruising homosexuals, will be different. As a father of two boys, this is the last thing I want to see happen. The area will be a no go zone for families.
- Vijay, South West London, 08/04/2010 16:00
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Why should anyone who's gone for a walk in beautiful parkland have to make a decision about whether to be confronted by a load of naked weirdos? Answer: they should not. I very much hope common sense prevails and this revolting idea is thrown out. Good Grief, are we to have no standards left in this country at all?
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 08/04/2010 15:45
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I would have thought that with a name like "Peacock", he would be the last person to put his meat and two veg on display.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 08/04/2010 15:15
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Julian Clary and Peter Tatchell?? Will sick bags be provided? If they want to lie around with their tackle out, why does it have to be an area of outstanding beauty. Surely they can convert a hoop-la stall.
- Paul, London, 08/04/2010 15:08
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I oppose this,I do not want to see naked bodies in public. Let them buy their own land, public spaces should not be syphoned off.
- Mags, London, 08/04/2010 13:32
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I want a Spectators Enclosure so I can see all the goings on!!!!
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 08/04/2010 10:37
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I am against this proposal. It is not British and the perverts should get mental treatment if they cannot think of anything better to do with their time than to cavort naked. It's not as though nudists are ever even attractive people. Yuk!
- Mryna Farbiash, Highgate, 08/04/2010 10:36
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