THE naked truth might well be more uncomfortable than having sand in your undies – when it comes to charity fundraising the Guerns are far happier going the full monty.
Island naturist Ross Mantle was hoping to organise a mass charity skinny dip to raise cash for Jersey Hospice, but has been told that his plan is a little too cheeky for Jersey’s beach regulations.
Under rules that date from a time when Simon Cowell was in nappies and rationing had ended only five years before, he was told that the situation was clear – nudity on a beach was likely to offend public decency.
Mr Mantle had hoped to hold his mass skinny dip at Bonne Nuit on 13 July.
“I did initially have approval from St John Constable Andy Jehan,” he explained.
“He seemed to be more worried about the parking arrangements than anything else. I emailed the States police and they went through all the laws. The police constable said that as long as people were aware and we put up signs, the States police would not need to attend unless there was a complaint.
“Mr Jehan was very sympathetic and he supports Jersey Hospice. I think he was on my side and then he sent me an email saying it was off. He said that there were regulations and, with regret, apologised.
“I have no qualms with the Constable. I suspect that the old guard said no. I wrote to several Constables who didn’t even want to consider my proposal. They just said, ‘It’s illegal. Bye’. I did get a positive response from Mark Labey in Grouville as well.”
The officer explained that the relevant law was the Policing of Beaches (Jersey) Regulations 1959. Section 2 of the regulations states that “No person shall, on any beach, behave or be clothed in any manner reasonably likely to offend against public decency.”
Mr Mantle said: “1959 was before the flower-power movement and several other things: the Moon landings and the Vietnam War. These regulations are ancient history. What is considered public decency has moved on.”
Mr Mantle has holidayed at nature resorts across Europe, and said that it was commonplace on the Continent for beaches to be half gloved and half naturist.
“I think Jersey is very behind the times,” he said: “Even Guernsey has opened their doors to this. The main thing was to raise money for charity in a fun way, and very kindly Jersey Hospice agreed that they would accept the money we raised. Apparently in Guernsey they had to try several charities before they found one which would accept it.”
For the past three years up to around 70 people have bared all and jumped in the Sarnian briny, raising thousands in the process.
“They have had no complaints in Guernsey, so I thought it was time we did it in Jersey. The British Naturism association are involved in 555 skinny dips in the UK this year. They are held in little towns and villages.”
Mr Jehan said: “I am very much in favour. I am someone who tries to facilitate and enable things to happen. However, the advice Mr Mantle had from the police included the fact that, from the legislation they saw, the event would most likely breach the regulations. What I cannot do is say “yes”, when it is against the law.”
He added that it might be possible to organise something with a little more time, explaining that he had had just a few weeks’ notice of the event planned for 13 July.
“I think it would be OK with early notice on the beach to say this is happening in two weeks’ time and that if you are easily offended go to a different beach,” Mr Jehan said. “Why wouldn’t you support this? Jersey Hospice touches on everyone’s lives, sadly.
“I hope we can find a solution. If Guernsey can do it, surely we can do it.”
