‘Naturist – needs help...please can I walk naked in your garden?’
When this advert appeared in the ‘miscellaneous sales’ section of The Chronicle classifieds, it required more explanation, not an exposé exactly, but the naked truth of what lay behind this unusual request.
So a message was sent to the ‘secretnaturist’ hotmail address and a prompt reply was forthcoming from a Cheshire-based married father, who wishes only to be known as ‘David’ and didn’t want to be pictured.
He wrote: ‘I’m simply a person who enjoys nudity in the great outdoors, and do not have anywhere to enjoy this simple pleasure in life. I’m 30 years-old, married with kids and my wife supports my hobby, although she does not participate out of fear of being seen.
‘I have dared to go naked in forests and haven’t been seen in the 10+yrs I’ve been doing this. I’m just fed up of the fear of being seen, and thought maybe somebody would be happy to allow me to use their garden so I can enjoy outdoor nudity without fear of getting into trouble. I’m happy for people to contact me via email only if they are interested in helping my situation.
‘My advert was placed out of desperation, as I just don’t want to join a naturist club.’
Follow-up responses revealed that David, who is 6ft 5in and slim, lives in a flat with no garden, meaning his opportunities to partake in his hobby are limited.
‘I had a garden at a previous address but was unable to use it as we had neighbours overlooking it, ruining the privacy,’ he said.
Offering this insight into his love of getting back to nature, he continued: ‘We live such fast paced lives these days that we can sometimes forget what it is to be human, we used to roam this beautiful earth naked before clothes became the social norm. Naturism is an experience that perhaps cannot be understood until one is completely naked in the middle of a forest when nobody else is around.
‘Feeling the gentle breeze on your skin, hearing the bird song, feeling the sun warm your whole body, it creates in myself and others a feeling of overpowering joy that can seem essential to happiness.’
David, who is willing to travel for his past-time, says his ad was aimed at anyone who may just have ‘a tolerance or understanding’ of this need, and was willing to help. While he would prefer to find someone who would allow him free usage of their garden, he is willing to pay if necessary.
‘This is the first time I have advertised so have not gone through with it yet, but had positive response from men, women and couples,’ added David, who explained why he preferred to do his own thing rather than join a group.
‘I dislike naturist clubs, as I find they are aimed mostly at the older generation and based around social gatherings over a full day or weekend. I simply can look at the weather one day and think that it would be lovely to be naked in nature if possible. I hope to make contacts who I could contact on such a day who would allow me to use their garden for an hour or so.’
Anyone who may be able to help David or wants to find out more can contact him at : secretnaturist365@hotmail.com
