Our quiet village is being invaded by hundreds of naked tourists… we’re scared of bumping into them
LOCALS in a quiet village say it’s being invaded by hundreds of naked tourists – and they’re scared of bumping into them.
Homeowners in Langport, Somerset, have told of their horror as the UK’s biggest nudist festival takes over their hometown.
Nudefest see’s 1,000 people strip and take part in activities for an entire week.
And this year it’s taking place at Thorney Lakes Caravan and Camping Park, in nearby Muchelney.
Dubbed the “naked Glastonbury“, many residents are fuming it’s being allowed to happen on their doorstep.
Michael Stevens, 64, left the area because of the fest – which started on Monday and finishes on Sunday.
Speaking to The Sun online, he said: “I don’t care if they are all in one place enjoying each other’s company, I don’t want to be in the same town as that lot.
“It comes to something when you have to get out of your own home because you feel uncomfortable.
“But that’s what happened here and it’s symptomatic of what’s going on in this country with the minority seemingly taking precedence over the majority.”
Steve White, 34, said there is only 3,500 people living in the town and it has left everyone feeling uncomfortable.
The mechanic said: “To have so many nudists coming here is a bit of a risk.
“They stay on the caravan camp where the event is being held, but there are footpaths which cross the area and people will come across the nudists if they are out walking.
“I don’t know why Langport always attracts these kinds of people – we are quite a Conservative, with a small ‘C’, community and I wouldn’t want such a big group of nudists here.”
Retired nurse Sue Jones, 79, said it’s not nice to think about what the nudists “will be getting up to”.
She added: “Why do they have to take their clothes off to enjoy themselves?
“I know it’s their right to go naked if they wish but really aren’t there more appropriate places to do this?
“Why not go abroad where this sort of thing is tolerated more than the quiet English countryside?
“It’s not a nice thought to think that there are so many nudists just up the road, and who knows what they will be getting up to.”
Lynda Patten, 76, said she’s not a fan of having a bunch of naked people on the streets – but doesn’t think they’re doing any harm.
She added: “I suppose it’s a case of whatever floats your boat but I’m not a great fan of having so many nudists on my doorstep.
“I suppose I could set up a stall selling suntan cream because they are going to need it with the weather we are having at the moment.
“But so long as they keep themselves to themselves I suppose they are doing no harm.”
Public nudity is not illegal in England if there is no sexual context and no intention to cause distress.
British Naturism’s Andrew Welch said: “There are so many benefits to going without clothes.
“Nudefest combines an incredible line-up of daytime activities with night-time entertainment in multiple on-site venues.
“There’s always something to do, and something new, and at the heart of it is our great British Naturism community.”