Rare look inside Britain's only naked village as Spielplatz tries to attract new residents
Posted by Unknown on Monday, December 1, 2014 | 0 comments
It's that time of year again when many of us think about wrapping up warm.
But things couldn't be more different in a small community in Hertfordshire.
Residents enjoy nothing more than stripping off and living completely naked.
Just outside St Albans is the quiet - yet quirky - corner of England, where time has stood still and the inhabitants retreat from the outside world.
Spielplatz is one of the oldest naturist resorts in Europe and is the UK's only Naked Village.
A TV crew spent the summer with the residents and management committee of the village as they endeavour to keep the spirit of naturism, and the laid back lifestyle that goes with it, alive whilst ensuring their way of life can continue for future generations.
There is a desperate need to attract new, younger visitors and residents, as the average age of the village community is well over 60.
As well as a permanent home to some 50 residents, Spielplatz also attracts day visitors and others who come to enjoy the freedom of the village green, community pool and other facilities - without clothes.
Gone though is the heyday of the 50's when hundreds of naturists of all ages poured in to cast aside their clothes and enjoy life as naked as the day they were born.
The fixtures and fittings are fading and ageing like the inhabitants themselves, and as the sun comes out so does their determination to attract fresh flesh.
However, there is concern amongst the village committee about how to bring in new nudists.
Concerned about bringing in too many voyeurs keen to look but not to try naturism, they conflict about the best way forward to attract new visitors.
Without money to invest in refurbishment of the facilities, the village is at threat from developers hovering over this valuable piece of woodland real estate within minutes of the M25.
Battling the British weather, the villager's hope that events like a private naked yoga session and a naked body art workshop will entice new blood and new money into the village bar and café, and that those coming to try these events will fall in love with the rustic charm and innocence of this community that was established in 1929 and come back again to visit, and maybe even to live.
The Naked Village is on More4, December 2 at 9pm.
