Perran Beach, Cornwall

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Introduction

Perran Beach has a very long tradition of naturist use, at least 40 years. In August 2006 British Naturism received a letter from Defence Estates to inform them that they were banning naturism and that various other bodies were expected to follow suit. None of them had the courtesy to consult with BN before making the decision.

At this point it is unclear who owns or controls which parts of the beach and dunes. We do know that Defence Estates (aka Ministry of Defence), Haven Holiday Park, Perranzabuloe Parish Council and the Police held a private meeting and decided to ban naturism.

There is a properly constituted process for the zoning of beaches for particular uses. The Home Office even has the model bye laws on their web site. However because we are naturists they obviously don't believe that we deserve the same consideration and safeguards as any other group of beach users. They just got together in an unadvertised private meeting and decided to implement a ban.

They are taking great care to state that they are not prejudiced against naturists, that they had no choice and all the other platitudes that we have come to expect. However they can not be bothered to distinguish between activity which clearly is illegal and activity which Parliament has made absolutely crystal clear should be able to continue. If they were to act in the same way against a religious or racial group they would very rapidly be in court. If a fraction of the effort the police have made in harassing naturists had been spent on the real problem they would have achieved something. Instead they are increasing the alienation of yet another minority group and in the long run that can only make things more difficult for everyone.

The players

Defence Estates. They look after the land used by the MOD. A search for 'Penhale' on their web site did not find anything.

Penhale Camp. An army training camp. The commandant is Major Michael Pawlak and it is worth reading his attempt to justify what he has started.

Perranzabuloe Parish Council. There is an address and phone number for the parish council on their web page. Follow the "links" button from that page to find out more about Perranzabuloe.

Haven Holiday Park

Cornwall Constabulary

It is possible that there is another player. Normally the beach below high water mark belongs to The Crown and ownership is effectively delegated to the District Council.

According to Major Pawlak they also consulted with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Diversity Manager. What Major Pawlak didn't bother to tell the public was that the Diversity Manager is part of the police and not an independent advisor.

The referees

It is usually best to complain direct to the perpetrators before taking it to the supervisory bodies.

Cornwall Police Authority

There are a large number of other supervisory and complaints bodies. This list will grow substantially over the next few weeks.

Press Reports

A report in 24dash.com provided by Associated Press contained the following points:

What was said and by whom	Comment
Naturism banned from three miles of beach and sand dunes. Has been used for 40 years. Military and civilian police will patrol. There will be signs.
Major Michael Pawlak, commandant of Penhale Camp.
MP -"The overriding factor is the Ministry of Defence's responsibility for the welfare of young persons in its care."	"Young persons" are a common excuse for completely disproportionate and misguided action.
MP - "Naturists are not the problem, it is the perverts they attract that are the problem,"	So why then is it then that naturists that are being denied the opportunity to use the beach? It is the most remote beach in the area so the villains congregate there to reduce the risk of getting caught and the naturists go there to avoid causing offence. Removing the naturists will not remove the problem.
MP - "Homosexuality is not the issue, but we have gay single men cottaging for business in dunes where there are children playing and training,"	I do of course completely believe that. After all the military do have such a brilliant record of tolerance towards homosexuals within their own ranks.
MP - The number of naturists has doubled in four years.	That is probably part of the reason but when was popularity made a crime?
The ban was not persecution of naturists or homosexuals, but had been introduced because of the "bad elements" attracted to the area.	Sorry Major Pawlak. From a naturists point of view 'persecution' is exactly what it is.
A naked man had been seen approaching a cadet group.	Apparently only once and that could be a description of quite innocent behaviour.
A male couple were seen in the dunes engaged in inappropriate behaviour.	Apparently only once and what exactly does he mean by "inappropriate behaviour". Were they kissing, holding hands or something more? Was anything done to try and catch the villains? Is the important word "male"?
A man was seen peeping at the naturists.	Oh dear, what a terrible crime. I really feel safer now that I am no longer allowed to use the beach.
Frances White, chairman parish council beach committee
FW - Naturists attract unsavoury people.	Evidence? None. Logic? Not much. Car parks attract car thieves so ban car parks.
FW - peeping toms	And I suppose there aren't any on the clothed parts of the beach.
FW - women walking the Coast Path could be daunted by a beach full of naked men	How many exactly have been bothered enough to complain?
FW - 40 years ago little used. Now walkers, surfers and families.	How many exactly have been bothered enough to complain? How many of those families were naturist families who welcomed a naturist beach? I can't imagine many surfers being upset by naturists. Walkers and families don't often mind either.

Links to articles

"This is Cornwall" is an umbrella web site for a number of local newspapers.

Date	Paper or station	Title	Comment
20 Jul 06	This is Cornwall	Nudists on beach are moved on	This article contained an absolutely outrageous statement from the police. "Everyone approached was happy to move, fully understood and fully supported the actions," said Sergeant Simon Tonkin of Perranporth police.
3 Aug 06	This is Cornwall	Beach nudity banned	Doesn't add anything much to the summary above except that this one contains veiled threats from Councillor Will Hoskings.
3 Aug 06	This is Cornwall	Nudity is banned on Perran Beach	The same information yet again.
9 Aug 06	24 Dash	Perverts spark nudist ban on north Cornwall beach.	Two identical articles on the web site. A straight retelling of what the army and the parish had said plus a quote from Kathy Prescott of Southleigh Manor naturist holiday camp. This is the article that the above commentary is based on.
	This is Cornwall	Naturists banned from using beach after 40 years	Rather more actual information that most of the articles.
10 Aug 06	This is Cornwall	Nudist Come Low On List Of Priorities	Letter from a non-naturist stating that naturists are not a problem and that the police effort would be much better directed towards things that matter.
11 Aug 06	The Sun	Beach stripped of perverts	Shame that the title is so wrong. The law abiding will be deterred and the problems will continue. Otherwise a reasonably accurate report overlaid with the Sun's own version of journalism.
	Pink News	Gay cruising zips up nudist beach	A somewhat more balanced report because they have some input from British Naturism.
	gay.com	Gay nudes too rude	The usual story with a touch more sympathy than the non-gay media. Plus comment from Brian Williams of the Central Council of British Naturists
17 Aug 06	This is Cornwall	Ban on nude sunbathing - MOD explains	This is an article or letter by Major Pawlak the commandant of Penhale Camp. It is full of supposition used to justify the usual excuses. It deserves a page of its own.
	This is Cornwall	MOD defends its ban on nudity at popular beach	A journalists rehash of the above. It doesn't add much.

Action so far

British Naturism has replied to the MOD letter. This is taken from the BN e-zine of 9th August 2006:

You may have read or heard that BN have received a letter from the Defence Estates who own part of the beach at Perran Sands telling us that they are banning naturists from that MOD land and suggesting that the local parish council who control the other part will do the same. We are replying in no uncertain terms (though politely, of course) that such a ban has no foundation in law and that, in fact, banning naturists would not solve the problem. The "ban" has arisen since the MOD run a training camp at Penhale Sands, just behind the beach and young cadets (minors) have recently been approached in inappropriate ways by naked people as well as observing sexual activity - and therefore nothing to do with the genuine naturist users of the beach who merely wish to relax in the sun. In addition, part of the training camp in which these activities have taken place is a live ammunition firing range, with disused mine shafts, and anyone straying into these areas is putting themselves in danger. The beach has a long history of naturist use and so we are suggesting working with all parties to have the beach made official, with a designated area created, so that it will be easy to spot anyone naked outside that area, who may have visited the beach for the wrong reasons.

I know that British Naturism is writing to the council and tourist board. I expect that they will also write to the others.

I have written to the Police Authority and Parish Council. When I get a reply I will report on it here. I will be writing to the others and also continuing to collect information.

What to do

Information is vital. If you can provide further information then please get in touch. Unless you ask otherwise I will forward it to British Naturism so that they have the fullest possible picture. It is particularly important that we get first hand accounts of what has happened on the ground. If you or anyone you know was there then hearing from you is extremely important. If requested I will anonymise the information before passing it on or using it but that will make it much less effective.

Complain. Write politely and firmly to some or all of those responsible for the ban. If you live in the area then also write to your councillors. Anyone can write to their MP about it, especially as the MOD is behind it all. Whatever you do, don't be rude or offensive. Paper letters carry more weight than email. Keep a copy and it is helpful if you provide copies to BN and/or NUFF. Unless you ask otherwise anything that I receive will be forwarded to BN.

I will add a section shortly suggesting points to make.