Naked Rambler back in England (From Daily Echo)
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Stephen Gough, the Naked Rambler back in England
12:02pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Eastleigh
By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter
Stephen Gough, the Naked Rambler
THE naked rambler is back in England for the first time in six years, as he makes his way back home to Hampshire.
Stephen Gough is walking the 430 miles south to Eastleigh, where he hopes to be re-united with his children.
The 53-year-old reportedly made it across the border from Scotland on remote moorland in the Cheviot hills last night, having been released early from Saughton prison in Edinburgh on Friday.
It is the first time the nudity campaigner has made it out of the country since 2006, when he was first jailed for refusing to put clothes on.
Mr Gough has been convicted 18 times in total for various breach of the peace charges over his public nakedness.
The last of those came in September, when he was locked up for five months after telling a court he would not co-operate with social workers tasked with assessing his mental health, having been arrested as he walked near a children's play park in Dunfermline on July 20.
That came three days after he had been released from prison in Perth.
But it appears Scottish police have turned a blind eye to his public nudity as he again attempts the long walk back to Eastleigh to see his family, including his elderly mother.
After his release last week Lothian and Borders Police said they were willing to exercise discretion in his case “if circumstances permit”.
Mr Gough has said he is hopeful of being reunited with his children - Yarin, 14, and 16-year-old Kiana.
He has spoken to the teenagers on the phone since his release, although their mum Alison Ward has said a meeting in person will only happen if he is willing to put clothes on.
The former Marine is also expecting to be joined for part of the walk by ex-girlfriend Melanie Roberts, who trekked naked with him from Land's End to John O'Groats in 2005.
The 41-year-old hairdresser, who now lives in Birmingham, split with Mr Gough in 2006 but has been writing to him in prison.
And she has been in training to join him for at least part of his long walk south, although it is not clear if she plans to do so naked.
Comments(40)
Hdg end mo
says...
1:03pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Hdg end mo
says...
1:23pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Nicole23 wrote:So u believe what he's doing is right? Exposing himself whilst walking down the street?
I fought the law and I won! Fair play to him and down with sweaty socks.
Inform Al
says...
1:26pm Wed 10 Oct 12
rickey
says...
1:27pm Wed 10 Oct 12
rickey
says...
1:29pm Wed 10 Oct 12
hulla baloo
says...
1:29pm Wed 10 Oct 12
rickey wrote:The Scots have just washed their hands of him and let him have free passage to England. saves their money, man power and resources. Be interesting how England authorities now deal with him.
My god, a man naked, what ever next. We have people naked in famous paintings and on TV / cinema but it seems that we still outraged about a naked man showing his tackle in public. I would assume that the authorities now realize that he is not going to be stopped and at the moment are letting him get on with it. No doubt he will be arrested again when some moral guardian reports him and the Police then have to act.
Hdg end mo
says...
1:30pm Wed 10 Oct 12
rickey wrote:Will you still have the same attitude if he appeared Infront of your family members in the street
My god, a man naked, what ever next. We have people naked in famous paintings and on TV / cinema but it seems that we still outraged about a naked man showing his tackle in public. I would assume that the authorities now realize that he is not going to be stopped and at the moment are letting him get on with it. No doubt he will be arrested again when some moral guardian reports him and the Police then have to act.
Stillness
says...
1:35pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Inform Al wrote:You saying he has appeared in front of her before?
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
TheMysterycat
says...
1:40pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Hdg end mo
says...
1:45pm Wed 10 Oct 12
TheMysterycat wrote:He says he wants to see his family as he's not seen them for a very long time, didn't think of them whilst he was locked up for years protesting his human rights also the embarresment he caused them have him sectioned may cost us put keep him there until he's deemed fit n well not prison
Yes I would be happy for this chap to appear naked in front of my family. He doesn't molest children, rape women, steal possesions or beat people. He simply perfers to not wear trousers where you prefer to put them on. If you can't deal with that then I pity you for your ridiculous narrow minded heads.
SO50 Saint
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1:53pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Stillness
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2:16pm Wed 10 Oct 12
TheMysterycat wrote:You can add me on that one as well. The only people who that are offended by a naked body are those that choose to be offended or haven't yet realized that they have a choice to be offended or not.
Yes I would be happy for this chap to appear naked in front of my family. He doesn't molest children, rape women, steal possesions or beat people. He simply perfers to not wear trousers where you prefer to put them on. If you can't deal with that then I pity you for your ridiculous narrow minded heads.
Nicole23
says...
2:22pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Stillness wrote:What's the difference between that and 60 naked people on pushbikes riding through the middle of town? Please tell me. You cant have one rule.
Inform Al wrote:You saying he has appeared in front of her before?
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Zozimus
says...
2:24pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Stillness wrote:Stephen Gough,The Naked Rambler is a remarkable and likeable man. The moral custodians see him as appearing out of the either in front of their family members on the street. What a fearful way to live your life in without reasonable cause. They must live their lives in abject fear of bogeymen and such. He is welcome to meet my family any time.
Inform Al wrote:You saying he has appeared in front of her before?
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Stillness
says...
2:31pm Wed 10 Oct 12
hulla baloo
says...
3:03pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Stillness wrote:Just because people do not agree with your lifestyle, you went over the top, or are all naturists thieves and bullies like yourself?
My wife and I have been naturists for over 20 years and have only ever come across 2 unsavory characters. They were both dealt with by stealing their clothes and chucking them out on the street to explain themselves. The other 99% are very nice people with no insecurities about who or what they are and have no need to "dress up" and play at trying to convince the world that they are anything other than normal human beings.
Stillness
says...
3:12pm Wed 10 Oct 12
hulla baloo wrote:So if you had some guy trying to touch up your wife in the hot tub you would do what exactly? I'm sure the guy would sooner be embarrassed than reported to the "fuzz".
Stillness wrote:Just because people do not agree with your lifestyle, you went over the top, or are all naturists thieves and bullies like yourself?
My wife and I have been naturists for over 20 years and have only ever come across 2 unsavory characters. They were both dealt with by stealing their clothes and chucking them out on the street to explain themselves. The other 99% are very nice people with no insecurities about who or what they are and have no need to "dress up" and play at trying to convince the world that they are anything other than normal human beings.
Georgem
says...
3:21pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Inform Al wrote:So you keep telling us, tough guy. I'm wondering who you're trying to convince....
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Shoong
says...
3:22pm Wed 10 Oct 12
End of.
Georgem
says...
3:22pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Hdg end mo wrote:I wouldn't give a stuff. My family doesn't live in the 1850s.
rickey wrote:Will you still have the same attitude if he appeared Infront of your family members in the street
My god, a man naked, what ever next. We have people naked in famous paintings and on TV / cinema but it seems that we still outraged about a naked man showing his tackle in public. I would assume that the authorities now realize that he is not going to be stopped and at the moment are letting him get on with it. No doubt he will be arrested again when some moral guardian reports him and the Police then have to act.
hulla baloo
says...
3:28pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Stillness wrote:Thats different information to your original post.
hulla baloo wrote:So if you had some guy trying to touch up your wife in the hot tub you would do what exactly? I'm sure the guy would sooner be embarrassed than reported to the "fuzz".
Stillness wrote:Just because people do not agree with your lifestyle, you went over the top, or are all naturists thieves and bullies like yourself?
My wife and I have been naturists for over 20 years and have only ever come across 2 unsavory characters. They were both dealt with by stealing their clothes and chucking them out on the street to explain themselves. The other 99% are very nice people with no insecurities about who or what they are and have no need to "dress up" and play at trying to convince the world that they are anything other than normal human beings.
Stillness
says...
3:37pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:Yes. That just about sums you up. Can't be bothered to think or respond, just react.
Don't care what anyone says - not socially acceptable.
End of.
Shoong
says...
4:21pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Stillness wrote:In fact I've read all the articles regarding Mr Gough's 'crusade', and given it much thought, I just didn't think it was worth a ramble, I just wanted to state my opinion.
Shoong wrote:Yes. That just about sums you up. Can't be bothered to think or respond, just react.
Don't care what anyone says - not socially acceptable.
End of.
In hindsight, it appears to me anyway that perhaps I was justified in getting to the point, rather than making up some strange scenario involving hot tubs & 'fuzz'.
But then what you get up to in your own time is your business, and no-one else's.
eurogordi
says...
5:16pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Georgem wrote:Actually, most people went swimming in the nude during the 1850s and, in some places, as late as the 1920s. Working class people could barely afford clothes and definitely not swimwear. Ordinary life in the 19th century was not quite as prudish as Queen Victoria tried to make it!
Hdg end mo wrote:I wouldn't give a stuff. My family doesn't live in the 1850s.
rickey wrote:Will you still have the same attitude if he appeared Infront of your family members in the street
My god, a man naked, what ever next. We have people naked in famous paintings and on TV / cinema but it seems that we still outraged about a naked man showing his tackle in public. I would assume that the authorities now realize that he is not going to be stopped and at the moment are letting him get on with it. No doubt he will be arrested again when some moral guardian reports him and the Police then have to act.
At the end of the day, most people who see Mr Gough will probably turn away and smile to themselves. The minority who are offended and report him to the Police have probably forgotten that they also have a naked body underneath the latest fashion!
Georgem
says...
5:19pm Wed 10 Oct 12
eurogordi wrote:Thanks for the history lesson! I wonder where this distaste for human nudity has come from then.
Georgem wrote:Actually, most people went swimming in the nude during the 1850s and, in some places, as late as the 1920s. Working class people could barely afford clothes and definitely not swimwear. Ordinary life in the 19th century was not quite as prudish as Queen Victoria tried to make it!
Hdg end mo wrote:I wouldn't give a stuff. My family doesn't live in the 1850s.
rickey wrote:Will you still have the same attitude if he appeared Infront of your family members in the street
My god, a man naked, what ever next. We have people naked in famous paintings and on TV / cinema but it seems that we still outraged about a naked man showing his tackle in public. I would assume that the authorities now realize that he is not going to be stopped and at the moment are letting him get on with it. No doubt he will be arrested again when some moral guardian reports him and the Police then have to act.
At the end of the day, most people who see Mr Gough will probably turn away and smile to themselves. The minority who are offended and report him to the Police have probably forgotten that they also have a naked body underneath the latest fashion!
The Music Man
says...
5:19pm Wed 10 Oct 12
SO50 Saint wrote:I'm sure he's going to get a heroes welcome
I cant wait to see peoples reactions when he walks down eastleigh high street on a packed saturday afternoon
Zozimus
says...
8:35pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Inform Al
says...
10:14pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Georgem wrote:I stick to the facts, numbnut.
Inform Al wrote:So you keep telling us, tough guy. I'm wondering who you're trying to convince....
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Inform Al
says...
10:16pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Stillness wrote:No, it will be 1st and last time.
Inform Al wrote:You saying he has appeared in front of her before?
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Inform Al
says...
10:17pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Nicole23 wrote:And there I agree, pity the Echo didn't give us advance warning of thie event. It's not often I get to enjoy driving my car.
Stillness wrote:What's the difference between that and 60 naked people on pushbikes riding through the middle of town? Please tell me. You cant have one rule.
Inform Al wrote:You saying he has appeared in front of her before?
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Georgem
says...
10:46pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Inform Al wrote:Good for you, tough guy.
Georgem wrote:I stick to the facts, numbnut.
Inform Al wrote:So you keep telling us, tough guy. I'm wondering who you're trying to convince....
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Georgem
says...
10:47pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Inform Al wrote:Look out, guys, we're dealing with a real badass here.
Stillness wrote:No, it will be 1st and last time.
Inform Al wrote:You saying he has appeared in front of her before?
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Fieldbean
says...
11:24pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Hdg end mo wrote:I think this guy has probably changed many people's minds. It does beg the question, If someone that persistent and committed might change the way we live our own lives? Is the more subtle message being given out to do with possession, power and materialism. I am sure there will one day be a book, and all explained. Lets hope Stephen can be happily reunited with all his family.
Nicole23 wrote:So u believe what he's doing is right? Exposing himself whilst walking down the street?
I fought the law and I won! Fair play to him and down with sweaty socks.
Zozimus
says...
8:31am Thu 11 Oct 12
Fieldbean wrote:Well said Mr Fieldbean. Stephen raises many responses within those of us who walk a more conventional path. He causes us to reflect on issues of our own freedom and the dis-empowerment arising through our attachment to material things and the need for public approval. Long may he ramble. Thank you for your kind thoughts towards Stephen.
Hdg end mo wrote:I think this guy has probably changed many people's minds. It does beg the question, If someone that persistent and committed might change the way we live our own lives? Is the more subtle message being given out to do with possession, power and materialism. I am sure there will one day be a book, and all explained. Lets hope Stephen can be happily reunited with all his family.
Nicole23 wrote:So u believe what he's doing is right? Exposing himself whilst walking down the street?
I fought the law and I won! Fair play to him and down with sweaty socks.
Raxx
says...
9:06am Thu 11 Oct 12
Inform Al wrote:So you'd rather your daughter see her father viciously assaulting a man who's posing no threat, than see a man's dinkle.
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
Interesting approach to 'parenting' there.
naturistmike
says...
9:41am Thu 11 Oct 12
Subject48
says...
11:45am Sat 13 Oct 12
naturistmike
says...
12:55pm Sat 13 Oct 12
If he appears naked in front of my daughter, it will be for the last time.
I don't think he would "appear" before your daughters, you prob keep them locked away without access to tv or magazines so they won't accidentally be exposed to any bare skin! Incidentally, have they ever seen you unclothed? Just so they know what a naked human male looks like, wouldn't want to shock them on their wedding night!
Zozimus
says...
9:35am Sun 14 Oct 12
Nicole23 says...
12:57pm Wed 10 Oct 12