Naturists divided over no-frills royal celebrations

They were united in their nudity but not a lot else. The red, white and blue bunting was out, and Vera Lynn was playing in the background but British naturists were split over how they should greet the golden jubilee.

There were some among the 150 naturists who congregated yesterday on a patch of green on the border of Tyne and Wear and Northumberland who were there to raise a toast to the Queen, au naturel. Others, generally the younger members, were less impressed by the royal gathering.The rest were just worried about the weather and feeling a little chilly.

Tim Bishop, a film student from London and a member of the naturist youth strand, said: "I'm here to mix with like-minded people and to drink a few beers to the Sex Pistols. I'm definitely not here for the Queen."

Colin Pickett, 28, from London, said he was only at the party because it coincided with the club's annual meeting, and the first England World Cup game. "There is a generational gap among naturists as there is among the rest of society as far as attitudes towards the golden jubilee go. A lot of the people in the marquee are middle-aged and have grown up respecting the royal family," he said.

Despite a heavy downpour, the members of the Council of British Naturism, which has 25,000 members, defied the elements to mingle on the lawn wearing nothing more than sturdy shoes and red, white and blue hats. They had arrived on Saturday, spending the night in tents and caravans and bringing only the sparsest of wardrobes. Dismayed by the weather, some, stubbornly, had stripped off in their caravans to watch the England football game, while the more fragile spirits huddled together wearing waterproofs and wellies.

Derek Brixley, who has been a member of the society since its inception in 1963, said he saw no contradiction in liberal-minded naturists marking such a traditional occasion.

"Naturists tend to be extremely open-minded and liberal in their lives and their thinking, but that does not mean we cannot be traditionalists too," said Mr Brixley, 63, a retired British Gas engineer from Wales.

"I think the Queen has done a wonderful job for all these years. I would have gone to my local street party had it been nude, but I came here to be among people who think alike."

His friend, Richard Morris, another royalist who had travelled from his home in Exeter, was convinced the Queen would not have disapproved.

"I have heard stories of the royals walking along the beaches in Norfolk, near Sandringham, and talking to naturists. I think the Royal Family is very open-minded and the Queen would not disapprove of us," said Mr Morris, 63, a retired driver.