Sir, Your leading article (“The naked truth”, Sept 1) states that “The human body unadorned is only rarely a thing of beauty”. Is it? In the age of Damien Hirst, Lucian Freud et al doesn’t this assume agreed criteria that simply do not exist? Is the same not true of the clothed human form, and so what? The majority of our homes, cars, workplaces and so forth are rarely things of beauty but we live with them and make the best of them. Nudity, like darkness, has no identity save in the absence of something.

There was also the chestnut of climate and temperature but weather for the beach remains the same regardless of swimming costumes. Save in a downpour the fabric worn by a British holidaymaker rarely exceeds two pillowcases’ worth at the best of times.

I am, however, concerned by the constant clamour for “provision” to be made for various interest groups, religious, social or cultural; can’t we just tolerate each other (clearly not)? The law apparently no longer regards nudity itself as an offence. If the authorities simply supported this position they could tell the “special pleaders” that their demands are unreasonable. Is the “provision” in fact a sort of “kettling” that corrals the naked with the sexually obtuse from whom they should rather be protected?

Bill Collett

Penryn, Cornwall

Sir, Your leading article correctly states that “naturism has never escaped the stigma of the snigger”. However, the naked truth is that the French, Germans, Swiss and Austrians have a much more healthy attitude to nudity.

For example, there is a beautiful hotel in the Austrian Tirol that makes guests clear of the spa etiquette: “The rear part of the Roman bath is designated for unclothed use. You are not allowed to use the sauna and steam bath wearing bathing clothes. Out of consideration for other guests, we request you to wear swimming suits in the hot whirl pool, the fitness room and the indoor swimming pool.”

With the exception of most UK visitors, the facilities are enjoyed au naturel, without “the stigma of the snigger”.

Alan Boyd

Bromley, Kent

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