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Since 1995 SUN has insisted the National Trust reinstate
the original area of land available to naturists that Ralph Bankes left
in his Will, and in April 2005 they made their first step in this direction
and offered to double the size of the official
nudist zone - no strings attached!
Since that time the NT offer has shrunk,
their resolve seems weaker and more demands have been made of SUN. It is still not difficult to perceive that in the minds the
National Trust nudist equals sex offender, as they seem entrenched in the view that
increasing the official nudist zone will lead to an increase in crime.
It’s a misconception that attempting to keep
law abiding nudists in a ‘zone’ reduces problems. In fact, it does the
opposite as we now have a situation where some nudists feel the area beyond the front
ridge of dunes is left only for
those with other motives.
Harassing and zoning nudists is the
WRONG way to manage the beach and take Studland into the future and the day
genuine nudists are encouraged to reclaim their long established freedom will be the day overt
displays of sexual activity will disappear and the beach can
begin again to police itself.
To assist the National Trust, since April 2005 SUN has
done everything asked of us to address concerns about crime. The board
of SUN has even endorsed the use of its resources on future
co-operative initiatives. We now need to see some equally positive moves
from the National Trust.
The next steps...
A phased plan towards the restoration of the traditional nudist
is under construction and there's optimism that positive movement can be made on the following issues:
STOP promoting Heather Walk
For the benefit and safety of everyone the National Trust
must STOP promoting this path of uncertainty.
Visitors reading the new SBUAG leaflet are now informed that nudists are
visible from many parts of the central area of the peninsula but Heather Walk is still promoted in other leaflets, and no signs
exist to warn sensitive walkers nudists will be seen on route.
We continue to call upon
the NT to address this issue which which has been the cause of unnecessary
complaints and friction for far
too long.
Sensible Signage and information
To remove complaints from people offended by nudism,
honest and sensible signage must be introduced - there is no way
visitors to the central part of the peninsula can avoid seeing
nudists and this must be stated in leaflets and on beach signs.
Honest text in a 2005 SBUAG leaflet informs now
visitors of this fact but this must be backed up in signage on the
ground. The location and wording for new signs is currently under
discussion in an SBUAG sub-group where it is appreciated that well
chosen words can have a dramatic impact on reducing complaints and bad feeling at Studland.
SUN are optimistic that honest information will
continue to be published into the future.
If the Trust had the concerns of all visitors at
heart and realised that witnessing sexual activity may ruin a
visitor's day they would NOT send them along Heather Walk, where
they may witness sexual activity. Naive visitors should be guided
along
safer routes.
Remove the 'Nudist Zone' posts
SUN Groups position is and always has been that the posts must
go, but the NT still insist in including variations in their location, size,
colour and material in their plans.
Recently the Trust indicated the official zone will
be doubled and the number of posts will be reduced and it is unwise for us not be be involved
in these discussions.
SUN say :
STOP perpetuating the myth that 'Nudist = Sex Offender'
STOP promoting Heather Walk
STOP restricting the nudist majority due to a sexual minority
START publishing honest information to visitors
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