Welcome Letter

Many thanks for your interest in Gymnos, the naturist social group for men. You can download an application form for your use. If you are interested, please complete it and send it to the box number address above.

The Group has been functioning for around 30 years and started as a mixed nude swimming group. Unlike most other naturist groups, single men were not debarred from joining the group. It became swamped by men who so outnumbered the ladies that they left and it became a men-only group. The focus has gradually shifted over the years so that the very active social calendar is now the principal activity. There are presently about 400 members. The main benefit of membership is the ability to take part in the nude social events which are arranged every weekend all over southern England and sometimes further afield. Occasionally these take the form of a whole weekend, especially in the summer. They are generally held in the members’ homes and you must be a member to have access to them. A small entry charge is usually made to cover the host’s catering expenses.

We also have  a reduced entrance fee at Chariots South (a sauna in SW16) and also a reduced price for members attending their first session at yoganu who run nude yoga sessions. See their web site at http://yoganu.com

Gymnos members may swim naked on Friday evenings at Camberwell Leisure Centre, Artichoke Place off Church Street, London, SE5 8TS (020-7703 3024) where we have arranged a concession with Gay London Swimmers (GLS) (020-8591 3508). Gymnos members are admitted at the GLS members’ rate. Non-members are allowed to swim also. There is no swimming on Good Fridays and check around Christmas and the New Year when open.

It is always wise to visit our web site or phone our information line to check that there have been no changes since this information letter was produced. Telephone enquiries (on 020-8988 0152) are dealt with by Mark when he is available and at other times there is an answer phone giving basic details of Gymnos but on which a message can be left. If enquiring about the GLS swimming, please ring their information line on 020-8591 3508 or Camberwell leisure Centre on 0207703 3024. I deal with e-mail enquiries.

Many members have joined the Group as a means of meeting like minded people and for this purpose we run a contact list, at additional cost. Members will only receive copies of the contact list in which their entry appears. All entries include the person’s first name, year of birth and locality together with a box number. You must provide a short text to accompany this (maximum 75 words) as otherwise you will not receive a copy.

Members are expected to provide a postal address on joining, even if this is an accommodation address, so that we can send membership cards. The normal method of despatch of newsletters and contact list is now by e-mail. If you are unable to use e-mail an extra charge is made for having them sent by post. Members may suspend delivery of  newsletters temporarily for whatever reason but they will then of course lose the benefits of membership. Members may also elect to receive their newsletters by e-mail

The Group is run by many people. I look after the secretarial and financial matters. Mark organises the social events and is assisted in this by the generosity of those members who are able to host parties.

Please feel free to ask any questions you wish as we appreciate that many are apprehensive when it is their first venture into naturism.

The Group’s financial year runs from 1st April to 31st March. Only those aged 18 or over may join. For those joining during or after September you need only pay half the full year’s annual subscription. Those joining and paying a full year’s subscription during January, February or March are granted membership until the 31st March in the following year. Membership of the contact list scheme attracts an additional charge of £5 for each year or part thereof.

Current membership fees are as follows:-

Annual subscription                                                                                                £10.00

Use of contact list (You must include a wording for your entry). An additional   £ 5.00 

For having newsletters sent by post in UK instead of e-mail.  An additional         £2.00 

For having newsletters posted to Europe (outside the UK). An additional           £ 3.00

For having newsletters posted outside Europe.  An additional                              £ 8.00

Yours sincerely,

Brian

03/2008

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