80-year-old naturist confesses all
ASHA: Hello, I’m Asha from Slavic Uncovered. Today on my podcast I’m joined by a very precious guest, a veteran of naturism, Trisha. Welcome. Where are you based?
TRISHA: I live in Norfolk.
ASHA: In the UK?
TRISHA: In the UK.
ASHA: All right. And how old are you?
TRISHA: Nearly 80.
ASHA: Wow. That’s amazing age. I’m looking forward to hearing your stories. So tell me, Trisha, how did you become a naturist?
TRISHA: My parents introduced me to naturism. My father, although he worked daytime sewing, he was a photographer by trade and photographed lots and lots of beautiful people, male and female, I might say, nature-wise. And so I was introduced to it and they took me all sorts of places when I was very, very, very young. And so I enjoyed it. And as I grew up, I went to lots of places, even then.
ASHA: Wow, you are so lucky to have such wonderful parents. Did you go with your siblings to those places?
TRISHA: No, I’ve only got one sister and she didn’t. She was older than me. And so she didn’t.
ASHA: She wasn’t into naturism as much as you.
TRISHA: No.
ASHA: Oh, I see. Okay, so what were the attitudes among naturists at that time?
TRISHA: Oh, very close-minded. Really close-minded. Yes.
ASHA: And other places in the UK you used to spend time connecting with nature? In your birthday suit?
TRISHA: No, well… my parents knew where to go. So they had these only special places and people that they knew that they could go to, so to speak. But it was very close-minded in those times. It was a long time ago, obviously. And it was not the done thing, really.
ASHA: And what was it like? Some beaches, naturist beaches? Or did you do clubs, naturist clubs?
TRISHA: Usually people’s homes or their gardens. And sometimes they would go to a beach, but it was a certain part of a beach and you had to be very careful because people would report you. You had to be very, very closed.
ASHA: When you were an adult, did you carry on? Where did you practice naturism?
TRISHA: So when I got older and when I got married, my husband at the time also came with me to naturist places. And I had two small children who also came to local beaches in Norfolk. And there’s lots and lots of beautiful places that were allowed to have naturism on their beaches, but it wasn’t open as it is today. They were dedicated places that had naturist areas, just areas, and you had to be careful because people’s attitudes, minds were not as open as they are today. Culkin Beach, which is a very, very large area, acres and acres of it. Also there is a lot of woodlands and the horses used to run all over the beaches which is a beautiful, beautiful place to be and very open. The sea goes out for miles and miles and there’s sand dunes and there’s lots of lovely places to go in Norfolk. There’s Waxham Beach, which is a smaller place, smaller area, but also there is only a dedicated space for naturist people to go to, and some people, if they are naturists, keep themselves to themselves very much, because at that time it really wasn’t the done thing or open as it is today.
ASHA: I’ve been to beautiful Broadlands Club — yes?
TRISHA: Yes, I went to Broadlands Club. I found out about it through another friend of mine and they said, come here, this is a gated society. And you went there and we joined into this club. And after a few weeks, we decided to get a small caravan in the beginning. Then after a while, we managed to get ourselves a small caravan because we had two very young children. But it was very old. It only had gas lights, which were very difficult to keep alight — we only had pumped water and only the little gas pumps to keep warm. It wasn’t warm to sleep in at all, but we managed. The people there were absolutely wonderful — very, very nice to be with. And we learned some new games, a bat and ball game where you had to make your own bats, which my husband did. The children loved it there because they could join in with all the other children, boys and girls, and played very nicely. Very welcome and nice people to be with.
ASHA: Beautiful memories — sounds like a beautiful community of people, like-minded people. And did you go there only in summertime?
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TRISHA: No, not always just in the summertime. Because we owned this little caravan there, it didn’t matter whether it was summer or winter. You couldn’t stay there full time — that was the only thing — you couldn’t be there 24/7. You could go there most times but you had to leave a two or three week gap in the winter because of the laws of the land, so to speak. The governmental departments say you couldn’t live there full time. So even in the winter, if it wasn’t too bad — or even if it was icy and snowy — if you wanted to go there, you could. Sometimes we did, just for a break.
ASHA: Was there snow in those times?
TRISHA: Yeah, sometimes. If we could get there — the buses ran to a certain place and we could walk about three quarters of a mile down the road to get there. But yes, you could go down there. Yes, they had their own clubhouse and their own swimming pool and they had their own showers and that sort of thing. Yeah, very lovely.
ASHA: That sounds very inspiring. It’s a nice place. I’d recommend anybody to go there.
TRISHA: It’s called Broadland Sun Club. Yeah, it’s an official naturist club. So obviously it’s a safe environment and everyone can feel safe and welcome there.
ASHA: Yes, very nice place. And have you ever been abroad to a naturist resort?
TRISHA: Oh, yes. I love going abroad. Absolutely worth going to. One of the loveliest places — well, lots of lovely places, actually. But I went to Cap d’Agde, a pain club. This is a big society.
ASHA: That famous big naturist city, yes?
TRISHA: Yes. In southern France. And we went on by coach with lots of other people. Obviously they greet you and you go in. In like colonies, they’re like rental flats, I suppose you would call them. Big, big places. And you’re allocated a space or a flat, if you want. And it’s so big. Shops everywhere. Restaurants, yes. Everything is there, absolutely everything. Dance clubs, everything. It’s near the beach as well, but they have got swimming pools everywhere. And they lay out all the bedding for you. And they’ve got lots of shelters and lots of sunshades. It’s lovely, very, very lovely place to be. Everybody is extremely friendly. And supermarkets, which I found quite funny. The first time I ever went, I found funny because you’re going shopping naked.
ASHA: Yes, it’s a unique opportunity for a unique experience. Going shopping naked. I did it as well in Cap d’Agde.
TRISHA: Yes. And there are beautiful sandy beaches, which I love. And you can go on trips on the boats and lots and lots of boat trips out there, and you can go and see the caves — oh, that’s a worthwhile trip. Go and see the caves. Absolutely beautiful. And the fish… or you can go up on a catamaran — catamaran, that’s the word — and they take you further out to sea and you can see the dolphins underneath your feet on the catamaran. And that — I’ll never forget that. That is so lovely. So lovely. Beautiful place to visit.
ASHA: I went to Antalya in Turkey.
TRISHA: Turkey — now isn’t it Turkey? And that’s another beautiful hot place to go. And again, you know — all sorts of cultures, all black, white, all sorts of cultures, all sorts of languages. But again, naturists are naturists wherever you go, and so they all join as a community.
ASHA: Yeah, everyone feels equal and it doesn’t matter where you come from, what religion you are.
TRISHA: Absolutely. Nobody matters. A big family, absolutely. And this was all board, so it was like a hotel type place — bed and breakfast and you can go back and get food and drink and all that sort of thing. And they did outside exercises and all that. It was really lovely. Worth going to.
ASHA: Brilliant. And south of France — I’ve been there. There’s lots of different places.
TRISHA: I went to Italy once. And yes, I’ve been to lots and lots of different places. And always — always it was a naturist holiday. Always a naturist holiday.
ASHA: And several in England when your children were quite young — they enjoyed it?
TRISHA: They absolutely loved it. It was freedom, absolute freedom for the children. Because they loved to run and play, and especially if we joined with other company and other families, because the children could play with other children. And they have no restrictions. And they don’t know any different at all. So they’re always so happy.
ASHA: Didn’t you find it difficult to bring up children in this naturist lifestyle? Like not being afraid of society — other parents hearing children telling stories at school about how they spent their holiday?
TRISHA: I mean, if they wanted to say something, they could. If any parent made any comments — which I suppose I was lucky — or if my children did say, you know, we went on holiday and we didn’t have clothes on or whatever, I would tell them: yes, we went on that sort of holiday and it was very lovely. And if some close-minded people made derogatory comments, which some people would do, I would tell them exactly what I thought — and why, and wherefore — and what have you got to be worried about? Because, you know, the Lord made us the way we are and that’s how we are.
ASHA: Yes, exactly. Do you practice naturism these days? Are you still practicing naturism?
TRISHA: Yeah, because this week I came up to Emerald Spa for a lovely week’s break. I have been spoiled rotten. It is so beautiful here. And I’m not joking — it’s green and fresh and it’s so lovely. Oh, I’ve been fed every single day. I’ve been in the spa, I’ve been in the jacuzzi. Oh, you mustn’t miss it — you really mustn’t miss it. Oh, it’s so lovely. Absolutely, I’d highly recommend it. You really must come here. I came to the Jamaican sauna night and there were — oh my God — so many people here! All different people I’d never met before, but all so friendly and so nice to speak to — laughing and joking — oh, really, really pleasant people. And it was really good. I’ve never been to anything like that before. But I highly recommend people to come and join in these sort of things because you won’t forget it and you will never regret it. Ever. It’s lovely.
ASHA: Wow, sounds amazing! I’m sure everyone listening to this interview today will be taking notes of your precious recommendations and be inspired by your messages. Because if you’ve never tried anything like this, then please do — please think about it. Because even if you don’t do this sort of thing at home, if you’ve thought about it ever, please think about Emerald Spa. It’s worth coming to. It’s worth spending a few days doing all these things here. It’s the best — holy, natural, comfortable, happy and special.
ASHA: It was a pleasure and honour to host you today, Trisha. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing life stories.
TRISHA: You’re very welcome. Thank you.
