Editor’s Pick of the Week: Naked in Ripon, live sewage and Labour joy
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Last updated May 4, 2024

It was, by far, our most commented-on story of the week. An event that drew gasps.

Not the mayoral election, of course, but news that a naked walk is returning to the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park this summer.

British Naturism, which is organising the event, helpfully sent us PG-rated, buttock-only photos of naturists along with the request that ‘they must be used exactly as they are. No censorship — blurring, pixellation or covering with clip-art for example’.

Pic: British Naturism

The most shocking angle for me was not the nudity but the prospect of freezing to death between Ripon and Masham.

The Conservatives were stripped of their political ambitions this week when Labour’s David Skaith swept to victory in the North Yorkshire mayoral election.

Two hours later, Mr Skaith popped up on TV alongside Labour leader Keir Starmer on the pitch at Northallerton Football Club.

It was a great day for Labour and a crushing first ever electoral defeat for Tory Keane Duncan, who instead of sloping out a side door as many politicians do took it on the chin and answered every question posed by a long line of journalists.

The bathing season gets underway this month and those making a beeline for Knaresborough Lido on the River Nidd will be delighted to know they can now check almost real time data on sewage being pumped into rivers by Yorkshire Water. Perhaps naked walks are safer…


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