Would this offend you?

They must have looked around and checked things out before they bought the property. if they didnt more fool them. This custom was already there, not something that only happened after they arrived , so I think they have a cheek to expect the world to fit round them. If they dont like it they can move elsewhere to another area where prudish self important people cn get together. I think they have a cheek thinking the world runs round them and most definitely would not sign their petition. In fact I might start another petition if i was you. Have a new one aginst prudish self important new neighbours who would do better to learn about their new place before opening their ill mannered mouths to condescend to the inhabitants. What ever they do now I would not be including them in anything, unless they begged our pardon in the most abject manner. So if none of you sign and let life go on as usual and perhaps do a rival petition to say yes let it still carry on and all sign it so that both the police and the newbies will see how the land lies. More power to your elbow. Dont let the miseries rule the day.

Surely it can't be beyond their ability, when windsurfers load up their cars with the necessary equipment for the day to have a windshield or something that can be put up while they change and then folded and put back on the car or somewhere safe, and then used again when they need to dress? Ladies walking alone, or with their children , grandchildren or dogs should not be made to feel uncomfortable. It would not be considered acceptable for people to shop naked in the town centre so surely the same rules apply? Personally, I would avoid confronting naked people but would be a bit annoyed if I could not enjoy walking on the beach on a fine day in case someone decides to be naked, especially if I had grandchildren with me. When I first read the letter I thought "Oh I don't care either way", but on reflection, actually I do. Would it add much to the rates to have a designated changing area? Apparently there are nudist beaches in Britain if there are some with surfing abilities that would solve the issue. Some people make a big fuss about dogs being allowed on beaches. I love to see dogs enjoying beaches and would much prefer to see dogs than naked people.

No, I wouldn’t sign either. How petty.
They should have researched the area before committing.
It’s the same as our tiny, local, community pub. A little Georgian building, only holds about 24 people, all regulars, no rowdiness, no music, no sports TV.Some neighbours renting at number 6, moved to number 1, which shares a party wall with the pub and then proceeded to lodge complaints with the Council about noise, disturbance etc. Unbelievable.

It very much sounds like new people who move into a village where the church bells are rung and they put in a complaint!

How petty!!😒

Are the surfers fit? Could be an added selling point for your house with a view like that!,
How sad your neighbours are, do they not have anything else to worry about?

Barleyfields

I doubt it’s a pleasant sight in many cases. They are probably committing an offence.

It is not an offence to be naked in England and Wales, that’s the law. They are changing indiscreetly and probably keep costume on under wetsuit.

Why is it bad for children to see naked bodies

Elowen33

It wouldn’t bother me but if I had children it probably would.

Why?? what is it your children are not allowed to see for goodness sake. This is 2025 and I thought we were well past the Victorian days when everyone covered up.

As you say, you’ve lived there a long time and it’s never bothered you. I live in a similar place, on the coast with swimmers and surfers. Live and let live is what I say, there are far more important things to worry about.

No I wouldn't sign either. My daughter and two of my grandchildren all surf. They always changed under towels before they had their dry robes. It's nice to see people out in the fresh air rather than on gaming consoles. You'd have to be looking pretty close to spot anything I'd imagine.

I suppose it all depends on how close it is to the beach area, maybe use a wind breaker to change behind. There are some prudes about, or do the newbies have children!
Can't please everyone. At least it's not a nudist beach which could be horrible to see .

If the local council were daft enough to build any such facility, the next thing would be complaints about what the users were doing in there, apart from changing their clothes!

We were on a guided walk through a nature reserve once and there was a big two-storey bird hide
Our guide asked us to wait while she went and checked if there was room for our group to go in.

She came out laughing, saying, "We'll just move on to the next hide. There's a couple in there but they're not exactly bird watching!" 🤭

It wouldn't bother me in the least but if people have young children and have quite a puritanical outlook they might find it offensive but really it's just people undressing to get into a wet suit.

In some countries I've seen changing areas and even showers for people coming out of the sea. A small area for changing might be the answer.
It wouldn't upset me in the least, however, I do think others have the right to their own point of view. I wouldn't sign the petition but might have a conversation with the people concerned to see why they are so upset and to welcome them into the neighbourhood.

Honestly? People swim in water, or go boating. And it is possible to put on a pair of bathing trunks or pull a swimsuit up over your bottom before removing a shirt or t-shirt, after all.

I assume your new neighbours disaprove of bare bottoms, as I have never heard of anyone complaining about bare shoulders!

Whether they have children or grandchildren or not is immaterial - they should really reconsider. Do they want to bring putative children up to a Victorian standard of prudishess?

Why should public money be spent on changing-rooms that will need to be kept clean? If the local council were daft enough to build any such facility, the next thing would be complaints about what the users were doing in there, apart from changing their clothes!

I assume you would have minded them stripping off if they had not been discreet.

It seems these people have got an issue that very few, or perhaps no, other people have got. It says something about their own minds I think.

Well done to you, and hopefully to many others, who are not going to be dragged into signing such a stupid petition.

I really cannot see what the problem is. Most people are not exhibitionists by nature and will use a towel to cover up the vital areas. Even if the towel were to slip momentarily and there was an unfortunate glimpse of more than would normally be seen, surely there is no issue there, either. Most of us would simply pretend that nothing untoward had happened. I take it your new neighbours have never been to a beach in the South of France.

I wouldn’t sign the position. They ought to have had an idea of what went on in the area prior to moving and shouldn’t have moved there if it was going to bother them that much… The surfers were there before them…

Reminds me of the new neighbour who wanted the council to cut down a tree that had been there over 100 years because they hadn't realised it would shed it's leaves every autumn...

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, live and let live.😊

Allira

hazel93

You could not make it up ! We live in N. Cornwall , surfers here as soon as their phone pings"wave " are off . I love it as I taught my son to surf and now so pleased I did.
The odd body part on view , seriously whar is the problem .
They need therapy.

The odd body part, fine.

The Naked Rambler was just rather odd, there was no need to ramble near children's play parks.

I totally agree. Surely not remotely the same issue.
People simply changing from wetsuit to dry clothes whilst contending with wind and shivering hands is not always easy !
Of course these days most have invested in a dryrobe or similar as others have said but not everyone has the budget, they are not cheap.
Live and let live . But obviously not the likes of the Naked Rambler, should be reported .

It is only offensive if you stand and look at them when they're changed!
And it certainly wouldn't bother me - let the surfers carry on. I would not sign a petition either, how small minded and silly of the newbies and I am sure the council have better things to do.

I would have thought most surfers were pretty fit - in every sense of the word. I'm sure it would gladden this old lady's heart! In fact, I might put binoes on my Christmas list!

It’s like the people who choose to buy a cheap property near an airport and then whinge about the noise. Rubbish.

They wouldn’t bother me.