NEWS UPDATE 3RD JUNE 09: Have just spent ages collating messages of support - it just goes to show that this lump of concrete surrounded by sheets of metal - is not just used by the residents of London! >

179 Michael Hall London May 08, 2009
I support this petition to challenge the absurd prudishness demonstrated by small area allocated previously. The numbers of men wanting to bath naked must be taken seriously by the London Corporation

174 Martin R-Dowland Camberley Surrey May 07, 2009
This is a modest proposal to accomodate the many sectors of the using public who wish to use this facility but are prevented from doing so by the lack of space.
Living in a country which advocates freedom of choice where no harm is done to others, we require a non-sexual, therefore single sex facility for comfort, health and life quality issues.
The facility will appeal to team sport practitioners, tourists, various age groups and those wishing to recover from city stress through bathing.

172 Jose Korn London May 07, 2009
Nude sunbathing and swimming is seriously lacking in and around London. Highgate ponds nude area is very highly used and needs to be bigger and would do with a swimming area too.

159 Marko Matysik London Chelsea May 05, 2009
men and women should be able to wear or not wear what they like!

151 Adolfo Melendez Malaga Spain Apr 21, 2009
any way you go into a nudist beach everywere, you find dressed people, so if you increse all the space to nude sunbathing ,everybody is free to be as they want in the complete sunbathing area.

150 Jim Vail Ontario Canada Apr 09, 2009
Naturist facilities are a significant factor in my decision making when it comes to choosing a tourism destination. I would be more inclined to visit often if the facilities were more attractive !

147 Dr.Robin Thorne Palm Springs California USA Mar 16, 2009
I have used the facility on many trips to London and the naturist or nude side is often overcrowded while the clothed area remains very sparsely attended.
I strongly support the more logical allocation of space called for in this petition.

145 Franck Danel London Chelsea Feb 11, 2009
allez faites un effort a poil tout simplement

142 Andrew Ford Swanage Dorset Jan 25, 2009
I am a naturist and wish this London facility to be increased in size

133 Adriano de Sousa Leyton London Dec 22, 2008
I'll take my clothes off to that

132 Marko Matysik London Chelsea Dec 22, 2008
let it all hang out! it's only natural.

131 Fredrik Persson London Dec 21, 2008
We're moving into 2009 but not 2009 BC! Extend the Men's Pond naturist enclave, and why not put in wooden decking! Cheers

130 David Pledge Ashtead Surrey Dec 18, 2008
This is the only public naturist facility in the whole of London. It should be enlarged, not reduced! Naturists are a legitimate minority group under Article 14 of the 1998 Human Right Act and it is illegal to discriminate against them. This is a constitutional act and overrides all other legislation on naturism.

Naturism and naturists are also protected by Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the 1998 HRA.

123 Rev Steven Brown Stoke Newington London Dec 18, 2008
This makes perfect sense.

120 Daniel Lismore London Dec 18, 2008
i work in the fashion industry & promote clothes but we are all naked underneath, naturism should be accepted

118 NORMAN HART MANCHESTER Dec 17, 2008
LETS GET INTO THE 21st CENTURY AND LEAVE 19TH CENTURY VICTORIAN VALUES IN THE PAST WHERE THEY BELONG.

115 Michael Collier Bourne Lincolnshire Dec 17, 2008
I lived in E17 for 14yrs and the ponds nudist area was packed like sardines in the summer months..It does need to be made bigger plus all London boroughs should provide nudist areas.. It would be nice if all towns and cities across the UK also did the same.

111 Damon Kendrick East Perth Western Australia Dec 16, 2008
Naturism is healthy

109 Dr Jeremy McMullin Edinburgh Midlothian Dec 16, 2008
I am a frequent user of the men's pond and nude sunbathing enclosure at the Heath, and have been for 10 years now. I believe that naturism should receive more support from city authorities. Given the massive amount of space dedicated at the heath for textile use. it seems a small gesture to increase the nude sunbathing area a the Heath to include the entire changing room area. I also believe that nude swimming should be allowed at the pond.

104 John Gunner St Albans Herts Dec 01, 2008
It is important to defend any remaining rights and this is one of them. It cannot be too much to ask for this one tiny freedom in the capital of the country of tolerance.

98 Danny Morris Rochester Kent Nov 07, 2008
I Danny Morris the undersigned .A little more space is not unreasonable.

92 Mark Freeman Hawthorn County Durham Oct 15, 2008
I entirely agree. Although I live in the North East, I know the Ponds well as have relatives in London and I also know how limited the opportunities are for naked sunbathing in the UK. We need more spaces like this!

91 C. J. O'Brien ILFORD Essex Oct 14, 2008
I fully support the petition to expand the nude sunbathing area and I hope you will enlarge it.

90 Guy Prouny Paris France Oct 06, 2008
London is one of the few places in Europe where nude recreation is not available. In the 21st century, this should change.

88 Andrew Wilson London Sep 27, 2008
In my experience there are more men who want to be nude at the ponds, than men who want to wear costumes. Therfore this change makes sense and is only fair. The other point I would like to make is that the original change came about for homophobic and puritanical reasons. A society that prides itself on diversity should not tolerate this kind of prejudice.

85 Lionel Collier Toronto Ontario Canada Sep 21, 2008
Please improve the men's facilities at Hampstead Heath Thanks

84 David Reeds Streatham London Sep 21, 2008
I've never used this facility, but I might one day, and I feel it's about time the UK grew up, and got in line with most of mainland Europe on the issue of nude sunbathing.

78 Andy Blyth Chippenham Wiltshire Sep 18, 2008
Yes an enlarged naturist area is required. I've been there on a sunny day and not been able to find space to lie down.
However why do us naturist's have to be enclosed within steel and concrete? Is there not a possibility to have a naturist area out in the open as you would find in most of Europe?
It is the men's pond and I think a lot of people would prefer to lie out on the grass than on the concrete.

74 Nicolas Pittortou Highgate London Sep 17, 2008
The changing area to the right of the entry is very large yet only ever used for changing, whilst the naked sunbathing area is tiny in comparison and constantly full. An incredible amount of people end up waiting around because they can't get a spot or they just end up leaving (this has happened to myself & friends on MANY MANY occasions) The solution would be simple; just swap the use of the spaces around! Nico of Highgate.

66 John Thornton London Sep 15, 2008
Textile objectors to this proposal should remember they have the option of visiting Hampstead's mixed pool (and the remainder of London).

64 DrVyvyan Chatterjie New Cross London Sep 15, 2008
it would be against tradition and nature to take away this facility, dear and special to so many- both users and those to whom it is a point of considerable principle to know these rights exist and customs and freedoms are maintained.

I speak for myself and from m position as an Interfaith Minister.

Revd Dr V J Chatterjie, (MA Cantab, Phd Jabalpur, DipMBA Exeter, CFE CG. Jung Institut, British Army, retd.)

63 Mark Whiting Stockwell London Sep 15, 2008
Public nude areas should be asimple right in this day and age, our laws are so out of date

62 Jan Migdal Ilford London Sep 15, 2008
I think its appauling that public nudity is frowned upon in this country, and has to restricted to army style barracks. Why not let people sunbathe nude in the middle of the Heath? like in the parks in Berlin. Seeing as it is hard enough to get a small enclosed area enlarged, i doubt that the previous idea would ever be considered, so until then i back the petition to enlarge the nude bathing area in Hampstead heath.

60 Andrew Bodman Northampton Sep 13, 2008
I have been using Highgate Men's Pond nude sunbathing area for over 13 years even though it takes me more than one hour to reach it. On most occasions that I have visited, the floor area has been insufficient to meet demand. This proposed solution is likely to overcome the existing shortage of space. It is also likely to generate more revenue for The Corporation of London.

59 Bernard Boase Kingston upon Thames Surrey Sep 12, 2008
Much needed enhancement. Next, permit nude swimming.

57 Simon Clarke Thetford Norfolk Sep 12, 2008
Whenever i have visited Hampstead Ponds the nude sunbathing area has been full to absolute capacity and the clothed portion almost empty since most people who wish to sunbathe with swimwear prefer to sunbathe on the large grassed areas outside the ponds in natural surroundings rather than enclosed within the enclosure. I don’t believe i have ever seen anyone actually sunbathe within the clothed section of the enclosure, people have only ever used it as a changing area.

56 Dr Robert Gautier Barbican London Sep 11, 2008
The nude sunbathing area is a valuable resource but is often uncomfortably crowded. More space would be very welcome.

55 Malcolm Boura Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Sep 10, 2008
The area suggested is far too small. How about Hampstead Heath?

54 Bruno Bajo London Sep 10, 2008
In the seventies , it was even permited to swim naked in the men's pond. I thought that being naked in public wasn't an offence anyway. Let's ask for the FULL enclosure to be naturist friendly. Nobody else stay in that enclosure anyway except for changing!

48 Mark Newton Loughborough Leicestershire Sep 09, 2008
On previous visits to London, I have enjoyed swimming at the Ponds (if only one were also allowed to swim naked, but that's another matter lol), but the area for naturist sunbathing is so small that I didn't bother to use it; this might improve things...

45 Dave Newnham London Sep 08, 2008
I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HAVE OPEN FKK SECTIONS IN GERMAN PARKS, AND WE HAVE A CONCRETE POCKET HANDKERCHIEF. I GO OFTEN TO THE MEADOW WHEN THE WEATHER IS GOOD AND THE GRASS IS LONG AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS FROM PASSERS BY

36 Chris Grady Great Finborough Suffolk Sep 06, 2008
I would hope, in time, regulations can be relaxed to allow mixed naturist areas in London as is comfortably accepted in other areas of Europe. In the meantime more space in Hampstead for men is a start.

34 David May Phoenix AZ USA Sep 05, 2008
It would only seem logical that you would partition said area according who uses it the most. If you have more men who use it for nude sunbathing, they should have more room.

32 Joseph Cavalieri New York USA Sep 05, 2008
I use this pond during trips to london and it is in great need of a cleanup and renovation.

30 Neil Morgan Brighton East Sussex Sep 05, 2008
Non sexual clothes freedom is a great liberater & knocks down social barriers

29 Alex Lane London Sep 04, 2008
Against the discrimination.

28 Malcolm Boura Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Sep 04, 2008
It is time that the prejudice against nudity is seen for what it is.

27 Rav Casley Gera London Sep 04, 2008
This is an extremely sensible suggestion that will immensely improve a popular facility! What's not to like?

24 William Helsen Antwerp Belgium Sep 04, 2008
Its time that are is more space for naked sunbathing, not only for men but for everybody. When I read this, it sounds like Belgium. Although we can only go to the beach in Bredene or to the Netherlands if we want to be nude.

22 Mike Grenville Forest Row East Sussex Sep 04, 2008
we should let go of being so afraid of being human

19 Michael Connolly Blaxland Australia Sep 03, 2008
I am a 41 yr old Naturist from Australia & I agree that provide no sexual activity is performed or intended, there should be more space allocated so that a true Naturist can relax as nature intended.

18 Jerry Hill Tottenham Hale London Sep 03, 2008
I agree - it was much better when the whole thing was nude.

14 GAEL SAUVAJON LONDON Sep 02, 2008
NATURISM IS TO BE IN HARMONY WITH NATURE. BEING PARKED AS ANIMALS IN A CONFINED SPACE IS FAR FROM BEING IN COMMUNION WITH NATURE.

9 Major John Wymark-Hoar MALTON North Yorkshire Sep 01, 2008
Sadly this an example of the sort of discriminatory practice levied against nmaturists by various public bodies, which if perpetrated against other minority groups would attract great criticism and protest. This must be remedied in the terms set out in this petition.

5 Daniel Fitzgerald London Aug 31, 2008
Please improve this space by next summer!

NEWS UPDATE 2ND JUNE 09: There will be National - Local Press and hopefully TV News coverage of the handover - to any supporters of my petition - if you are not camera shy - please BE THERE!!

NEWS UPDATE 1ST JUNE 09: GR8 NEWS! - The Corporation Of London have after nearly four weeks of discussion finally given me a date to hand in the Petition - to Michael Wellbank the recently appointed Chairman of Hampstead Heath Management Committee - Thursday 4th June 11am at Hampstead Heath Men's Pond - Highgate Ponds Millfield Lane London N6.

NEWS UPDATE 9TH May 09: PETITION COMPLETED! 1061 signatures collected > 183 online + 878 hard copy.
GR8 Result - my thanks for all your support & many interesting comments which will be collated - it just goes to prove how this tiny facility is not just for Londoners but is used by visitors from all parts of the globe!
You are still welcome to sign however any signatures collected post 9th May 09 will not be included in the final total.
Now formal handover of the Petition is to be organized.

NEWS UPDATE 7TH May 09: MILESTONE REACHED TODAY 1006 signatures collected - WELL DONE!
Just three days to go then my petition closes - so please if you have not already done so - SIGN NOW!

NEWS UPDATE 27TH April 09: 935 signatures collected - that is combination of online with hard copy petition - this petition will be closed on 9th May exactly one year from the start - my target is to exceed 1000 signatures - so if you have not already done so - PLEASE SUPPORT & SIGN MY PETITION RIGHT NOW!

NEWS UPDATE 23RD April, 09: Keep up the support!
Recently Julian Clary - Scott Capurro have signed.
This petition will be delivered to the Corporation Of London in May - watch out for press & TV coverage!

NEWS UPDATE 18TH Dec: Thanks for recent surge of signatures! - and the comments are all welcome!
ALSO
I have started a discussion topic on my facebook profile:
support naturism in the uk' so I welcome some debate!

NEWS UPDATE 18TH Nov: MESSAGE OF SUPPORT SENT BY PETER TATCHELL AS FOLLOWS:

"I support the petition to extend the nude sunbathing area. It is
currently too small and overcrowded. If people want to sunbathe with
swimming trunks, they have the option of doing so on the grass lawn
outside the enclosure. This option is not available to those who
prefer to sunbathe au naturel. Giving over greater space to nude
sunbathing makes sense."

Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner.

ALSO! - SPECIAL USER GROUP 'support naturism in the uk!' set up on Facebook - please check out - AND JOIN!

NEWS UPDATE 2ND Nov: TO MR ANONYMOUS! PLEASE IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO SIGN YOUR NAME - THEN DO NOT SIGN THIS PETITION! MR ANONYMOUS IS A WASTED VOTE - AND WILL BE REMOVED!
NEWS UPDATE 21ST Oct: 883 sigs
also created Facebook user group SUPPORT NATURISM IN THE UK!
NEWS UPDATE 29TH Sep: 875 sigs - keep signing & adding comments!
also the Camden New Journal published ( 18th Sep ) almost in full my 11 point response to Roberts opposition to the petition - his input was manna from heaven! - for the response look up username michael pondlife on facebook.

NEWS UPDATE 19TH Sep: check out 'nudist pond protest shows naked ambition' in www.pinkpaper.com page 8 - issue 961 - 18th Sep - shame its lifted word for word from the original Camden Gazette article.
748 sigs - the comments are brill - keep em coming - it all helps add to an INFORMED debate.

NEWS UPDATE 14TH Sep: 725 sigs - the comments added on the petition are much appreciated!

It is my intention to let this run for one year untill May 2009 - I am seeking a group of guys who are prepared to articulate a good argument - when the petition is presented - and to face the press - if anyone is interested please mail me naturism@yahoo.co.uk

Believe me there will be plenty of opposition - so I will need plenty of support.

Check out http://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/2008/091108/forum091108.html
Very interesting forum article in the Camden New Journal 11 Sep - the response from Robert is not untypical of the opposition already expressed.

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NEWS UPDATE 8TH Sep: 685 sigs
Brill interview filmed at the ponds - with gr8 humour! - featured on ITV1 London Tonight 6pm - Mon 8th.
To be interviewed live by LBC Radio 97.3fm at 7.35am ( ahh!! its against my religion to get up b4 10am ) on Tue 9th Sep.

NEWS UPDATE 5th Sep: 668 signatures - some of the online petition comments are brill & much appreciated - it also helps to widen the debate!
Go to facebook page michael pondlife ( pondlife is an affectionate term for the mens pond naturists! ) loads of pics & news items on there inc a wicked cartoon from the Ham & High.

NEWS UPDATE 4th Sep: I have made FRONT PAGE of the Camden Gazette - with photo of me naked apart from my petition! - to view ( until 9th Sep ) go to: http://www.camdengazette.co.uk/content/camden/chronicle/default/default.aspx

NEWS UPDATE 3rd Sep: Total no of signatures collected including hard copy sheet version 652 - sincere thanks to all that have signed so far - EVERY SIGNATURE COUNTS!

NEWS UPDATE 3rd Sep: Peter Tatchell the prominent LGBT human Right Campaigner signed the hard copy sheet version of my petition on 3rd September - THANK-YOU PETER FOR YOUR SUPPORT! - Peter was involved in a Direct Action Outrage protest held at the ponds in 1994 - web link: http://www.petertatchell.net/direct%20action/sexual%20apartheid.htm

As a regular user of the male nude sunbathing in the enclosure at Hampstead Heath Men’s Pond in North London, I have observed that on hot sunny days the small enclosure is be packed to bursting, preventing many from using the facility – however the area allocated to clothed changing area which is 42% more in area, is typically less than 1/3 occupied.

Making enquiries about the partition that separates the two areas within the enclosure I was informed by a number of sources that in the early 1990's a prominent barrister complained to the 'authorities' that neither his young son or himself should be exposed to the spectacle of seeing any naked men - at that time the enclosure was totally allocated to nude sunbathing and access to the male toilets was and still is via the enclosure.

The authorities took this complaint very seriously and commissioned a survey asking the question: "do you support having a separate area within the enclosure allocated to nude sunbathing?" - my understanding is that of the 850 responses - 600 said NO - despite the survey findings the partition was put up.

In my opinion the partition was ill conceived - and the most crucial point of all, did not achieve what the barrister was seeking - as you enter the enclosure and look to your left the 'spectacle' of naked men is still apparent – ironically my petition if adopted will achieve his objective!

This tiny area is smaller than many private gardens in the city and is the only location in London allocated to male nude sunbathing - now its time to redress the balance between providing an area for nude sunbathing that reflects CURRENT and POTENTIAL demand for this facility.

So I appeal to anyone that supports naturism ( you don’t have to be a user of the facility, or resident in the UK ), to sign my online petition to be presented to the Corporation of London.