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Hull woman taking H&E Naturist magazine beyond the bare necessities

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A Hull woman is earning a living after embracing naturism and is now the editor of a national magazine based in the city.

Sam Hawcroft, who lives in the Avenues, says she was first introduced to the idea of stripping off in the sun on holiday in Greece.

She also began working on the publication Heath and Efficiency (H&E) Naturist and ended up taking it over after a publishing company in Goole decided to part ways with the magazine.

Sam, 35, said: "I found the idea of becoming a naturist quite interesting and very liberating.

"It's all about a sense of freedom.

"There isn't an intrinsic link between sex and naturism at all. It's a misconception and the last thing you think about.

"There are so many people who are repulsed by the human body and there's a culture of prudishness, which just baffles me.

"Being a naturist is about loving what's underneath your clothes."

H&E Naturist is now in its 114th year and is the oldest magazine in the world dedicated to the lifestyle.

Sam has produced ten copies with the help of freelancers and contributors from across the country and it is sold in about 160 stores nationwide, including WHSmith.

"Through running the magazine, I've learned that there's a real network of people and clubs all over the country," she said.

"There's even one in Wawne in the East Riding and people like to socialise together.

"I tend to stick to my back garden or take my clothes off on holiday, but I do get involved with the clubs from time to time.

"Younger people are obsessed with body image and this lifestyle makes you realise nobody is perfect.

"I've seen life scars and cesarian marks and it makes you feel happier in your own skin.

"My family are all fine with it and I've always been open- minded."

Articles in the magazine include first-hand experiences, travel and event reviews from clubs and even reports on legal issues facing those who are involved in the naturism lifestyle.

Although Sam said she uses models for some of the photographs, she likes to use more images of regular body shapes and sizes.

"Magazines such as Nuts and Zoo feature glamour shots, but we want people to see what real naked bodies look like," she said.

"The lifestyle gives people a more relaxed attitude to nudity and we're trying to introduce younger people to naturism.

"We're now on Facebook and Twitter and have a censored edition available as an app, which sold about 80,000 when it first went out.

"H&E is a niche publication and small-scale but there is a need for it and we even have subscribers in Norway and Sweden.

"It's a lot of work but it wouldn't exist without the help of contributors and I do need more."

Apart from a magazine produced by the British Naturism, there are no publications competing with H&E, which Sam says is good for its sustainability in Britain.

She said that even high court judges, police officers and people working in the health profession have been involved in the magazine.

"When people are naked, they actually judge each other less and don't try to figure out who they are by what they are wearing," she said.

"You could be 20st or 6st, nobody is really bothered."


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Hull woman taking H&E Naturist magazine beyond the bare necessities


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