June 19^th was a day of reunions at South Western Outdoor Club (SWOC). Not only was it a reunion day for those who took part in this year’s Open Photography Weekend, but we also played host to three of our founding members. They were impressed by the way the club had developed its facilities, and we were able to thank them for founding our lovely club, and finding our beautiful site.

SWOC was founded in 1963, so in just over two years’ time we will be celebrating our Golden Jubilee on the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend at the end of May 2013. That may seem like a long way off, but it is remarkable how time flies so we are starting to plan for it now.

Were you a member of SWOC at some time in the past 47 years? Would you like to join our celebrations? If so, we would like to hear from you. You can contact us through our website, or by email to secretary@swoc-naturist.co.uk, or by phoning 07766974555, or by writing to me, Mrs.Christine Ashford, Sycamore View, Hornsbury Hill, Chard, Somerset, TA20 3DB.

On Sunday August 29^th eleven SWOC members visited Avonvale Sun Club near Ringwood. This was the Bank Holiday weekend, and out of the three days of that weekend we chose the coolest day, As a consequence only a few intrepid SWOC members took a quick dip in the swimming pool. The rest of us were involved in or engrossed by the SWOC versus Avonvale petanque ‘challenge’. You couldn’t call it a ‘competition’ since none of the SWOC pairings made it to the final! However, it was enjoyable, and there was much ribaldry in evidence. The number of times the measures came out suggests that it was a closer competition than the scorelines would have us believe.

A few other SWOC members availed themselves of the chance of a sauna – a luxury that SWOC members can only dream of!

Some brave, or should that be “mad”, SWOC members even had a go on the trampoline.

We were handsomely fed at lunchtime, including the celebrated Avonvale 50p ice creams, which is something it would be difficult to provide at SWOC. The day was rounded off by a Bring & Share barbecue.

On Saturday September 4^th it was the turn of Avonvale members to make a reciprocal visit to SWOC. Six Avonvale members managed to find their way to SWOC. This was no mean achievement on a weekend which conflicted with the Great Dorset Steam Fair at Blandford and the Dorchester Show! As a result they chose alternative cross country routes to avoid traffic jams, and at least one member decided to rely on his sat nav rather than the printed travel directions, which proved to be a big mistake unless you like driving along the narrowest of country lanes and up one in three gradients! Nevertheless they all arrived in time for lunch, with apple pie and custard or bread and butter pudding instead of ice creams for dessert. As it was the first time four of our guests had visited SWOC a couple of our members took them on a walk through our adjacent nature reserve, arriving back just in time for tea on the lawn and a small raffle.

Avonvale and SWOC have many similarities. The acreage of the respective sites is about the same, and both are in areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Both are areas of Ancient Broadleaved Woodland. Where we differ is in our topography. Whereas SWOC is a more or less level site, albeit at the top of the second highest hill in Dorset, Avonvale is on a steeply sloping terraced site just inside the New Forest. The other differences are largely due to the geographical situation of Avonvale, reasonably close to large centres of population, such as Southampton and Portsmouth, and enjoying the benefit of mains water and electricity which facilitates the provision of facilities such as the swimming pool. Avonvale has fewer camping pitches than SWOC, but it has twice the number of adult members. Like SWOC, Avonvale was formed in the early 1960’s. But what both clubs have most in common is the friendliness of their members.

Singles Outdoor Club visit

As I eventually drove away from the club at six thirty, the thought dropped into my mind that this had been another almost perfect day. The SWOC gateway is set in an avenue of mature trees and on sunny days the sunlight filters through the leafy branches to place small patches of glory everywhere.

Moments later, I emerged into open country with breathtaking views that confirmed one thing. God is good. Indeed He is very good.

Last year, in 2009, the weather for our naturist day was better than words can describe, but the 2010 event enjoyed conditions that were almost as good, it was wonderful.

Unfortunately Gordon was unable to be with us but Jim and Julia hosted our day faultlessly and they should know how much we appreciate everything they have done to make our times at SWOC so enjoyable. …………………

After more ‘free time’ we enjoyed lunch together and then met for our usual informal service.

Once again, Jim very capably led the meeting with the topic of ‘The Good Shepherd.’

But imagine my surprise, that perhaps was shared by others, when we sang the first hymn which was ‘While shepherds watched their flocks by night!’  Did I blink and somehow miss Christmas?…………

Later in the afternoon we met with the SWOC folk and enjoyed the usual shared tea. As always, large quantities of sandwiches and cakes appeared as if from nowhere, there is never any shortage!

Although, in one sense, we are two separate groups, the friendship and fellowship between us never ceases to amaze me.  A number of times I found myself in discussion with both ladies and gentlemen from SWOC and I wondered, had we not been nude, would our fellowship have been as sweet?

So, on behalf of every member of the Christian Naturist Fellowship, I gladly extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the SWOC Secretary, and all their members for making us feel so free and so welcome. Well before I eventually left the club grounds I found myself wishing and wanting such a wonderful experience to never end because it felt ’so right.’

I said that it had been an almost perfect day. Had England beaten the USA in the first game of the World Cup competition my day might have been bettered. But only by a very tiny amount!

Terry

Occasionally a few energetic types decide to have a game of miniten, but that is the only sound that can drown out the squawk of the resident pheasants. Why does such a pretty looking bird have such an ugly cry – you couldn’t in any way describe it as a song could you? The smaller birds are much more melodious and almost sing me to sleep.

But it is three o’clock and the tinkling sound of a small brass bell can be heard. Suddenly people appear carry folding chairs and gather round the tables that have been put out in front of the clubhouse, which are laden with dozens of home made cakes, or even scones and jam and cream, all washed down with copious tea or coffee. Bang go the diets! Not only is it a feast for the body, but also for the eyes and the soul as members bond into a big happy “family”.

That’s a SWOC Tea on the Lawn for you.

On a cold, but, thankfully, not snowy day in January, saw 24 SWOC members gather on site for a Burns Night Supper.

Thanks to the loan of some tables, the clubhouse was laid out for a feast. Each participant had a printed menu of traditional Scottish fare.

Following the Grace
“Some ha’e meat and
Can-na eat it,
And some ha’e none
That want it,
But we ha’e meat and
We can eat,
And so the Lord be
Thank-it.!”

Members were served with Cock-a-Leekie Soup, followed by Jim’s rendition of the Address to the Haggis and The Immortal Memory, before partaking of Haggis with Neaps & Tatties, and Cranachan for dessert. There was also Scottish Shortbread to accompany the tea and coffee. They were then treated to the singing of A Few O’ Rabbie’s Ballads by Philippa.

SUN – well this turned out to be a bit of a misnomer! The participants “enjoyed”, or should that be “endured”, the wettest five days of the whole month. But perhaps the word “enjoyed” was correct despite that because several of them have expressed the intention of coming back again next year. So either it was the warmth from our wood burner stove or the warmth of the friendship of SWOC members that compensated for the lack of sun. We like to think it was the latter!

TRECKERS – some folk came from far afield to visit us, others not so far. Whatever the distances involved the comments received from our visitors suggested that they considered the trek through the Dorset countryside to be well worth it for the peace and tranquillity that enjoyed during their stay.

RALLY – everyone rallied round to ensure that Suntreckers and SWOC members alike had a good time. There was much fun and laughter, and food aplenty. Unfortunately “Tea on the Lawn” had to be held indoors for the first (and only?) time this year, but the communal barbecue meal just managed to dodge between the showers!

CNF meeting at South Western Outdoor Club 12 June, 2010

As I eventually drove away from the club at six thirty, the thought dropped into my mind that this had been another almost perfect day. The SWOC gateway is set in an avenue of mature trees and on sunny days the sunlight filters through the leafy branches to place small patches of glory everywhere.

Moments later, I emerged into open country with breathtaking views that confirmed one thing. God is good. Indeed He is very good.

Last year, in 2009, the weather for our naturist day was better than words can describe, but the 2010 event enjoyed conditions that were almost as good, it was wonderful.

Unfortunately Gordon was unable to be with us but Jim and Julia hosted our day faultlessly and they should know how much we appreciate everything they have done to make our times at SWOC so enjoyable. …………………

After more ‘free time’ we enjoyed lunch together and then met for our usual informal service.

Once again, Jim very capably led the meeting with the topic of ‘The Good Shepherd.’

But imagine my surprise, that perhaps was shared by others, when we sang the first hymn which was ‘While shepherds watched their flocks by night!’  Did I blink and somehow miss Christmas?…………

Later in the afternoon we met with the SWOC folk and enjoyed the usual shared tea. As always, large quantities of sandwiches and cakes appeared as if from nowhere, there is never any shortage!

Although, in one sense, we are two separate groups, the friendship and fellowship between us never ceases to amaze me.  A number of times I found myself in discussion with both ladies and gentlemen from SWOC and I wondered, had we not been nude, would our fellowship have been as sweet?

So, on behalf of every member of the Christian Naturist Fellowship, I gladly extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the SWOC Secretary, and all their members for making us feel so free and so welcome. Well before I eventually left the club grounds I found myself wishing and wanting such a wonderful experience to never end because it felt ’so right.’

I said that it had been an almost perfect day. Had England beaten the USA in the first game of the World Cup competition my day might have been bettered. But only by a very tiny amount!

Terry

Suntreckers Rally