"Sherwood Forest naked ramblers leave locals hot under collar"

[GeorgeMichaelBluth]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-58120317

One unimpressed walker has launched a petition to demand operators of the woodland "stop promoting nudity". Petition organiser Robert Robinson said he had recently seen groups of up to 12 men walking naked at the popular attraction.
"My wife used to regularly jog around the forest, but stopped when she came across this group of men," he added, "Every day, in good weather, nudists can be seen. The police state it is an offence if we find it offensive, which we do."

Lynne Manjengwa, who signed the petition, wrote: "I've walked this area for 18 years, since June 2020 there are so many naked men walking around, it's intimidating and alarming.
"When we challenged a guy, not sticking to the rules and not covering himself, he suggested we read the welcome to naturists sign from RSPB, which states, if we don't want to see naked people, to go elsewhere."

So nudity is welcome, and if you don't like it then you shouldn't attend. Sherwood Forest opened a new £5 million visitor centre in 2018 and is aimed at families. You could not make it up.

There is a thread on this on AIBU. A poster had encountered a group of naked men when out walking on her own. There was no signage indicating that nudists might be there. l’ll find the thread and link.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4316908-To-think-the-RSPB-shouldn-t-say-if-you-don-t-want-to-see-naked-men-stay-away-from-the-woods-public-footpaths

Sounds like they are creating a heap of trouble for all concerned.

Why is this in ‘sex and gender’ and not the main feminism board?

Funny how it is not women doing this..

Apparently it is also women.

@Dozer

Why is this in ‘sex and gender’ and not the main feminism board?

I thought I had posted it in the main board Dozer, sorry. I searched Feminism in topics and clicked "Chat". It's almost as if this was set up to confuse...

It is interesting how it is males and nor females, a single female runner feels threatened and she is in the wrong. I would feel threatened too, suddenly confronted by strange penis in an isolated area. It appears to be just males according to the article.

It would appear from the other thread that the males are "straying" out of their areas, of course they are because they are humans, not a species of moss!

What are the RSPB doing being 8nv8lved in this? I assume they own the land and gave an agreement? I just can't get my head around an organisation that supports birds can agree to this. Maybe lots of locals will cancel their donations to the RSPB.
It is mentioned on Sherwood Forest site but very low key.
www.visitsherwood.co.uk/plan-your-visit/
Not directly mentioned on the Budby RSPB site unless you come across this policy. Though it does say great for kids!
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/budby-south-forest

Comingoutfighting Oh. Is it "women aren't doing this" or "women are doing this but for different reasons"?
Because the post I quoted said women aren't doing this.
In one of the articles it mentioned women were doing this.
Difference is, the OP wouldn't be bothered about women doing it.

I feel a bit conflicted really. On the one hand, the only naturist I know personally is female and she certainly would happily stroll about naked near other clothed people if they came where she already was. Her only motivation is being naked in the outdoors and she has never had an issue.

On the other, I would fucking hate to stumble across a group of naked men in the woods. I would panic attack, feel unsafe, probably never go there again and have lots of extra rape flashbacks for a while.

For me, there is a big difference between the two. But I don't know how much of that difference comes from my general fear of men and what is an actual difference. I suspect there's not one really, it's just in my head. Perhaps it's the groups? I would also feel scared and not go again if I came across any large groups of bolshy men when I was alone, be they naked or clothed.

I am certain though that there should be either a family focus or a naturist one, not a mix up. Kids and a strangers genitals should never mix unexpectedly. I think it's wrong that Sherwood should push both at once. If its aimed at naturists then fair enough, I'd walk with my naturist friend and expext to see nakedness, probably not go there alone. If its aimed at families, I should be able to go there and be confident I won't see any genitals.

I mean, I wouldn't be clicking my heels together with glee at female naked ramblers, especially since my toddler would probably point out any tummies she saw.
But you are correct that I would not feel threatened by naked females, women have never threatened me with their genitals like males have.
I still haven't seen an article mentioning women doing it though, please could you link @deydododatdodontdeydo

@herja

It was linked to on the other thread I believe. People also mentioned it was women in that thread.
I'll have a look for it.

I've had a look at that thread and could only find a few unverified posters claiming that they've seen women there, and as many claiming that they never have. The news report said it was just males.

Plant nettles.

@Comingoutfighting

Deydo I think the motivation might be totally different, don’t you? And I am certain large groups of women running around naked would somehow be accused of transphobia if there were no males involved.

Oh my gosh so true 🤣 The trees and squirrels would also be accused of 'phobia because reasons.