And They Entered in Two By Two

EXPOSURE FOR CLUB THAT BARES TO BE DIFFERENT
22/02/2006
By ANDREW MILFORD

LIFE is all about the bare necessities – just ask David Williams, chairman of Noah’s Ark naturist club, writes Andrew Milford.

The Walton group has been included in Bare Britain, a book that highlights tranquil locations on the coast and inland for people to relax in the altogether.
“I am pleased our club is in there,” said Mr Williams.

“As far as I know, the book is a reputable naturist manual so I have got absolutely no qualms that they have included us.”

Noah’s Ark has used Walton pool for weekend swimming sessions for 20 years and enjoyed the sauna at Elmbridge Leisure Centre until its closure.

During the summer, club members travel to other associations across the country to use their sunbathing facilities.

Explaining the decision to name the club Noah’s Ark, Mr Williams said: “The animals went in two by two and this is designed as a couples’ club, but we do have single people there, both ladies and gentleman.”

Mr Williams, who lives in Leatherhead, first became interested in naturism more than 20 years ago, while on a family holiday in North Cornwall.

“We used to enjoy surfing there with friends and they had gone to Cornwall ahead of us on one holiday,” he said.

“The surf on our normal beach wasn’t up to much and so they went exploring up the coast.”

He received a phone call saying his friends had found another beach where the surf was good.

“They said they had overcome the problem of sand in the swimming costume and I asked them how they did it,” he said.

“They said ‘we don’t wear one’. I thought I would have a go at that.”

Mr Williams has encouraged a number of people to “have a go” at naturism during his time at Noah’s Ark, including Vee, who joined up eight years ago.

“I knew I liked sunbathing and swimming and David mentioned the group to me and I had a little giggle,” she said. He urged me to come along to a meeting and the people there were really nice and friendly.

“I was definitely the victim of self-consciousness the first time but no-one gave me a second glance.

“People don’t make as many judgements about you when you don’t have any clothes on, which is quite interesting.”

She admitted that news of what she does to relax at the weekend can come as quite a shock to those who find out.

“Most people don’t understand it,” she said. “They always say ‘you don’t, do you?’ but then they think about it and start asking more questions. I have a couple of friends who have tried it now and they said that they found it OK.

“I think it does give you an enormous sense of freedom.

“It is quite exhilarating, really.”

Mr Williams agreed. “You can be a banker or a policeman or a teacher, but when you get your kit off, you are just a human being.”

He is hoping exposure of Noah’s Ark in Bare Britain will open the group to a whole swathe of potential naturists.

Anyone interested in joining Noah’s Ark should call David Williams on 01372 811 655

Source: http://www.hershamonline.co.uk/news/article/article_id=7258.html