HOW would you feel wandering around in your birthday suit in front of complete strangers for a hobby? VICTORIA BIRCH found out when she spoke to naturalist David Shaw

NATURISM never fails to provoke a reaction.

If stripping in public remains very much a taboo for some people for others it is just a way of life.

Thirty-seven-year-old David Shaw takes his clothes off every week when he visits a naturist club to take part in activities, and as he says, to take life easy.

The Diogenes Sun Club in Shire Lane, Chalfont St Peter, caters for all people with a penchant for 'feeling free'. At the moment they have 360 members.

Mr Shaw, who is a customs officer, says he is a born naturist, and was introduced to naturism by his parents.

He said being naked was just a way of life for some people and how they felt most comfortable.

Mr Shaw explained: "On a day like this, 25 degrees, it's the hard decisions in life, 'Do I get up from the pool now and lay in the sun?' We take our clothes off and play some sports, but is more of a social club than a sports club. People treat the club as a second home and lots of people make friends here."

He added: "We are people who like to have a party. The only difference is that we do it with our clothes off. We also like a barbecue and yes, we do always wear an apron. We are not stupid. We do like to have dinner, and some people dress for the evening. They should have crossed naturists with kangaroos, then we would have somewhere to put our napkin."

He said that although people do have to be naked in the club, concessions are made to make members feel relaxed.

He said: "Ladies are embarrassed at certain times of the month. And children at the age of 13 or 14 get that way anyway. They want to go and do their own thing. Whatever their parents do just isn't cool, but in four or five years they rediscover naturism and come back."

Mr Shaw said members had to be vigilant to make sure that voyeurs do not come to the club.

He said: "We have a reporting system in the club. It has happened at another club but never at this one. You can't afford to be an amateur at this thing. On open days, if people are sat watching other people, they have a tap on the shoulder and they are out. There are some clubs that have a very open door policy. They just pay and turn up. We are very fussy in that respect. We have an informal chat as we need to know them."

He added: "We have never been verbally abused or threatened, but people are worried about voyeurs. They have no right to be a pervert and you have to get the police on to them. You do get people who get a big kick out of watching other people."

Mr Shaw said: "We are careful who we have in the club. It is not club 18 to 30. It's more 48 to 60. We would like to see people in their 20s and 30s. We have got a category for life membership. The oldest are 80 going on to the 90s. There is every age you can think of."

Mr Shaw said that open sexual behaviour within clubs is not tolerated as behaviour at naturist clubs should be the same as hotels.

He said: "It does happen in clubs. If people here are doing that they are being extremely discreet. The only incident that came to light was about 20 years ago... they left. Everyone has a sex life and everyone would agree the only place for that is at home."

The house is situated in six acres of grounds and has shower facilities, Jacuzzi, sauna, swimming pool and tennis courts.

It is open seven days a week and 365 days a year, even Christmas Day. The club is run and owned by the members.

For information about the open day this Sunday call David Shaw on 01296 421537