To think the RSPB shouldn’t say if you don’t want to see naked men stay away from the woods/public footpaths?

[CovidCorvid]

So 2 years ago I visited Sherwood forest and was by myself in the forest when I came across 3 naked men. Which was a little unsettling for a woman by herself. It was in a quieter part of the forest so at that moment nobody else about and I hadn’t seen anyone for a while. On a public footpath.

I spoke to some (clothed) men about it further along the path and they said it’s a common occurrence and that the police are frequently getting called and tell them to get dressed.

It’s in the news currently as larger groups of naked men have been seen again. Seems the main areas they stick to are managed by the RSPB who seem to be encouraging it. The land may be managed by the rspb but they’re public footpaths, not a pay as you enter nature reserve. The bit I actually saw the men in wasn’t the rspb bit but there’s no fence/demarcation between them.

RSPB say if you don’t want to see naked men then stay away! Ffs. Why is it the naked men get to ruin things for other people? The police say it’s illegal if someone is offended. 🤷‍♀️

www.visitsherwood.co.uk/plan-your-visit/naturism-on-rspb-reserves/

That naked rambler used to get arrested all the time. Which is odd if he wasn’t breaking the law.

And yes in Sherwood Forest it is always men, I know no one that has ever seen a naked woman there.

Wow, spent six years in total in prison for nude rambling.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-18931494

@CovidCorvid

I’ve been to a nudist beach before and didn’t have an issue with that. But the beach I went to was very secluded. You wouldn’t have random people passing through accidently.

But not all nudist beaches are secluded. Some are just a section of a larger stretch of sand. Do you have an issue with that?

But not all nudist beaches are secluded. Some are just a section of a larger stretch of sand. Do you have an issue with that?

Not if they’re well signed. Stud land Bay Area has a well known nudist beach and there are signs saying if you continue you may see naked people.

@CovidCorvid

That naked rambler used to get arrested all the time. Which is odd if he wasn’t breaking the law.

The amount of public resources spent putting that man in prison have been phenomenal. What a waste of money.

@Nomorepies

I'm with you OP and those saying stay away from the naturist bits if you don't want to see naked men. Really? How the fuck are we supposed to know? It's a public footpath, no? Why do the needs of men trump women, again as per usual? (Yes I know women can do it too. But they weren't on this occasion. Were they)

Haven't read the RSPB response but I can see how as a long woman not expecting it, that could feel a little off, threatening even. I'd be annoyed if I had my children with me.

The OP saw 3 men. Women do it - of course they do - so it's hardly a case of the rights of men trumping women's!

@QueenofDestruction

I have no issue with nakedness, its the way we were born to be fair. The british are so victorian about it.

Oh for god's sake. You can't see anything wrong with three naked men in a public place? Really? What if your teenage daughter was going for a walk - would you be concerned about it then?

what do you think will happen to your 'adolescent girls' if they saw a naked man though?? whats your fear?

It’s non consensual involvement of a child in a sexual fetish.

My adolescent girl has obviously been exposed to sexual assault and sexual aggression by males already, she is primed to see naked men as a threat. It’s important to her safety to have appropriate boundaries. Boundaries don’t allow for seeing some naked male strangers as harmless and others as a threat.

It’s not her job to have to distinguish between the lovely naturist and the flasher/rapist/sexual offender. It’s only 5 minutes since everyone was outraged over Sarah Everard’s killer not being investigated for indecent exposure. How are we supposed to tell? It’s a blurring of boundaries which suits men and harms women.

It’s not very nice. Girls should be able to go on a walk without seeing cock. Can’t believe this needs to be said.

A beach is usually an open space, so you get a fair idea of what you are walking into before you set foot on it, with or without signage. I would find it intimidating if I was out alone in a secluded area to unexpectedly encounter a group of naked men.
It needs to be clearly sign posted and managed, so nudists stick to their bits of the forest.

I don’t agree @SixesAndEights he was the author of his own misfortunes. And the European Court of Human Rights didn’t agree with you either.

One person’s desire to be naked in a place in which it’s not accepted in our society shouldn’t trump a person’s right to feel safe.

It’s non consensual involvement of a child in a sexual fetish

Of course it isn’t. Naturism isn’t a fetish.

Naturism is protected in law, and as such, can be naked wherever they wish to be.

The vast majority of naturists keep covered up as a courtesy to those that aren't naturists.

Walking through the woods is probably one of the more socially accepted places to practice naturism. Most that do practice in open areas do carry something to cover up with, as the understand the reaction that they may get from textiles.

The naked rambler was constantly arrested as he had an ASBO forbidding him from being naked in certain areas.

Perhaps they should be encouraged to tie balloons to their backpacks so people can see then coming.

Like how Nan kept an eye on one of her tortoises who kept escaping.

Naturism isn’t a fetish but exhibitionism is. And the only difference is intent. So unless someone confesses to being an exhibitionist then they’re just a naturist. But why not stick to well defined areas? People not in well defined areas I’m more likely to think are exhibitionists.

If they’re that into it even join a club…..there’s one 5 miles up the road from me which apparantly is really nice, they have their own fields, and lawn and a members club.

@Yesitsbess

Perhaps they should be encouraged to tie balloons to their backpacks so people can see then coming.

Like how Nan kept an eye on one of her tortoises who kept escaping.

I saw a tortoise with a balloon on a caravan site once!

Naturism is protected in law, and as such, can be naked wherever they wish to be.

So you can be naked in the high street? This is what I don’t understand. I’m genuinely not being an arse but it’s either illegal or it isn’t. And if it isn’t then someone could legally be naked anywhere as long as they said they didn’t intend to offend anyone?

Would it matter if someone was offended or not? Because previously I’ve read the police told people it was illegal if someone was offended even if that wasn’t the intent….but then I’ve since read contradictory stuff.

@CovidCorvid maybe it was Nans on a day trip

So were they "flaunting" themselves, or were they just going for a walk?

Girls should be able to go on a walk without seeing cock.

This

@Yesitsbess

Perhaps they should be encouraged to tie balloons to their backpacks so people can see then coming.

Like how Nan kept an eye on one of her tortoises who kept escaping.

If you look at this thread in "Threads I'm On" you just see the words "Perhaps they should tie balloons to their . . ."

They may think it's perfectly natural to scamper about a forest naked, but most people don't, and they should respect that.

This has been going on for decades and no one has had an issue with it. That suggests most people are fine with it.

There are definitely female naturists there also. We often go to Sherwood Forest birding, and have seen women as well as men.

The bit that says stay away from the main footpaths seems to be advice aimed at the naturists?

@CovidCorvid

Naturism is protected in law, and as such, can be naked wherever they wish to be.

So you can be naked in the high street? This is what I don’t understand. I’m genuinely not being an arse but it’s either illegal or it isn’t. And if it isn’t then someone could legally be naked anywhere as long as they said they didn’t intend to offend anyone?

Would it matter if someone was offended or not? Because previously I’ve read the police told people it was illegal if someone was offended even if that wasn’t the intent….but then I’ve since read contradictory stuff.

There is nothing in law to stop a naturist being naked in the high street, no.

British Naturism have been doing a good job at teaching the police what the law actually states, but efforts are ongoing. Many police forces don't understand the nuances around what constitutes a violation of the law and what doesn't.

As said upthread, it is only an offence if the act is intended to cause distress.

Naturists don't want to cause offence, which is why you've always seen naturists clothed, and why they get dressed to go to the high street, as a courtesy to you and others that may feel uncomfortable.