It Just isn't Right, Not Having a Pool...

Nudists plan to make a splash with swim pool

NUDISTS are looking forward to skinny-dipping at their Elland club.

Planning permission is being sought for a swimming pool at the Ashdene Naturist Club, Elland Road.

Retired bank manager Alan Wallace said the club was healthy but a swimming pool would attract more naturists.

"It will complement the sauna and showers and we will then be well placed to attract more naturists in the area,'' said Mr Wallace, who is a director of Ashday 1986 Ltd which runs the club.

More than 100 people are members at Ashdene which is open every day, but 90 per cent of visitors are tourists.

They tend to stop on site in mobile homes, caravans or tents.

Sixty-two-year-old Mr Wallace, of Greetland, said they all enjoyed taking off their clothes and getting away from the rat race.

"They switch off their mobile phones and feel the peace and quiet of the place,'' he said.

"Until you take your clothes off you will not notice a difference, but there is a difference which is I can't explain.

"I did it in France 20 years ago and I've never looked back since.''
Ashdene has a licensed bar, catering facilities and a large concert room and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this weekend.

If planners agree the covered pool, approximately 15 metres x 4 metres, could be built this year and would be paid for from club funds.

Another director, Stirling Buckley, of Manchester, said club visitors spent around £100,000 annually in the local economy.

"That contribution will grow stronger if we can provide facilities such as a pool to increase the attractiveness when compared to other naturist clubs in the UK,'' he said.

It would be the only naturist pool in West Yorkshire.

"There is a clear need for Ashdene to plug the gap in provision, and it is the intention of Ashdene to enter swimming teams in national and international naturist swimming competitions,'' said Mr Buckley.

"We already enter teams for national and international boules tournaments as we have recreational facilities for this sport, and in 2005 Ashdene members gained our first podium finish at the international naturist boules tournament.''

24 May 2006

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=700&ArticleID=1522597