June and Norman Calvert have announced that Club Soleil will close down in the New Year after nearly 13 years of organising naturist swims at a number of venues in the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire area.

The final Club Soleil event will take place at Bedford Oasis pool on the 10th January 2009.

In a published statement the Calverts have said:

"Due to insufficient numbers attending our events, coupled with further increases in hire charges, and a number of heavy losses during 2008, we cannot afford to carry on any longer than that, and consequently [we] have no plans for the future."

"We would like to thank the loyal Club Soleil members and visitors who have supported us regularly over the years, and we hope that we have been able to demonstrate that a naturist club CAN be run without any committee or rules which affect members or visitors, and where anyone and everyone can come and relax freely as equals."

Since both the Manor Leisure Centre, Whittlesey and Bedford Oasis will be closed for the whole of December, the two Club Soleil events planned for the 3rd and 10th of January respectively will the the very last.

www.club-soleil.co.uk