November 25 2012

The meeting on Sunday 25th November was, as ever, great. There were about 20 girls there. For several people it was their visit, and even a first trip out as a girl in public.

One of the nicest things about Surrey Swans is that it provides a safe and friendly environment for transgendered people to “come out”. The girls that attend the meeting are very friendly and easy to get along with. All us us remember those first frightening steps out into the world.

The day before the November meeting I received an email that mentioned:

I intend to give … her first proper outing tomorrow night and come along. Must admit am very nervous, but looking fwd to it. I will be the one arriving about 830 looking terrified!

It was really great to meet her. She looked great and despite the feelings of terror en-route to the meeting, settled into things very quickly.

If you’re reading this and are transgendered and haven’t been able to express that other part of yourself then feel free to get in touch and come along to a meeting sometime.

However … there isn’t a meeting in December, the next one is on Sunday January 27 2013. Dates for the rest of next year are here.

October 28th 2012

I couldn’t get along to the Swans at the end of September because I was on holiday. However, Emma organised the evening and it went well. And here she is:

This past Sunday there were about 18 people and it was a really nice evening.

It was especially nice to meet Stacy who’s first visit had been in September, and Petra, who’s first visit was that very night.

Stacy (on the right) is next to Christina here:

It was lovey as well to meet Chantelle who provides the drinks and things during the evening. September was her first month at the Swans. All the way from South Africa, though she has been in the UK for about 10 years now. Here she is along with Laura:

And here are a few of the other people that were there:

 

 

 

Christina mentioned a new trans-group called R-Trans that is starting up in Reading. There are details on facebook here.

July 29th 2012

The meeting on Sunday July 29th was great. There were several new people, including visitors from Carlisle.

We’re also trying to organise a trip to Pink Punters sometime, maybe, in August.

And here are some of the people that got along:

 

 

June 24 2012 Meeting

There were about a dozen girls at the Surrey Swans meeting on June 24th.

As always it was really nice to chat and catch up on news.

The alternative t Surrey Swans on the day, was the England football match against Italy in the European championships. Early in the evening Sophie quipped she was glad to be be able to get along to the Swans as a good excuse not to suffer the agony of watching England play. How right she was … it was painful enough to hear what was happening during the penalty shoot out via mobile phones.

Here are a few pictures of people that were there.

First is Rozz, who has the extremely important role of taking orders for drinks and food. She’s served at the bar for quite a few months now. Her actual name begins with a U, but she says it’s really hard to pronounce. The necklace was a prize included in the raffle that we’d held earlier.

The raffle took a surprisingly long time … people kept winning second, even a third, prize and re-donating the prize for a re-draw. It went on and on …

Here’s Adrianne:

And Chelle and Linda:

And Christina who was visiting the Swans for the first time:

Rhod Gilbert at Femesque

Rhod Gilbert visited Femesque recently as part of his Work Experience TV show. It’s the BBC iPlayer for 12 days here. Well worth watching. Femesque is also well worth visiting.

You can read about it here.

And here’s a clip on YouTube:

Andrea’s trip to Femesque is described here.

A visit by Lynne and Claire from Femesque to Surrey Swans is described here.

And some pictures:

Sunday April 29th

There were about 15 of us at the meeting on Sunday April 29th. As always, it was a really nice and relaxing evening.

Emma and Sophie are interested in the idea of a trip to Pink Punters sometime in June, and Tina and maybe Laura as well if they are able. It seems ages since I’ve been along so it’ll be great if we manage to organise something.

And in July there is Sparkle 

Sunday March 25, 2012

Round about a dozen girls got along to the meeting on March 25th. It was really good to meet some new people, including Heather, Lisa and Andie. And also with old, and not so old friends. Helen, one of the founders of the Surrey Swans group, was also there.

It was fairly quiet early on in the evening, with quite a few people arriving later.

It was the first meeting since British Summer Time started, so it was the first time in a while that it was still light until after 7:00 pm.

I’ve heard it said that trannies are a bit like vampires in that they find it easier to go out and about when it’s dark.

In fact, Lucy, who’s been along quite a few times now, lives in Transylvania, but seems pretty ok with daylight

On the radio

Last Friday I was invited to an interview at BBC Radio Berkshire. The basic theme was about being a transvestite in Berkshire.

So Bill Buckley, who was sitting in as host for the Anne Diamond show did the interview.

If you’re interested, you can read about the experience here. You can also listen to it, in two parts here:

Part 1

and here:

Part 2

Let me know what you think.

Andrea

February 26th 2012 … a visit from Femesque

There were about a dozen girls at the Surrey Swans meeting in February.

Mostly regulars, but also someone on their first outing – it’s always a great pleasure to meet someone new that’s been able to take those first steps into the world.

Lynne and Claire of Femesque paid us a visit. They arrived a little after 7:00 pm to set things up for the makeup demonstration.

Tina volunteered to be the guinea pig … though to be honest … there was no risk involved in the experiment.

Existing makeup was removed.

Then Lynne set to work on an eyebrow tidying up. You can see Claire, on the left examining them, with Lynne on the right.

The poster mentions some of the things that Femesque do. The trophies in the background, however, are part of the furnishings where we meet.

Meanwhile, Claire told us of a recent visit by a BBC film crew and Rhod Gilbert to Femesque. Rhod’s task for the show involved a whole makeover and someone had spotted the Femesque web site and thought that they would be the perfect people to do the job.

The experience, it seems, was a challenge for Rhod … and included a trip to the pub at the end of the road.

It was a great experience for all at Femesque, and it’ll be great to see it on television in the near future.

Once the eyebrows were spick and span, Claire began with the makeup … explaining things as she went along. Camouflage, foundation, shadow, liner, lips …

There goes the mascara …

It makes me smile to see the belt of brushes around Claire’s waist … reminded me lf a film I watched over the weekend, where the carpenters had belts of tools.

Lynne also passed around some of the new range of wigs that Femesque are stocking, together with a range of jewellery and talked a bit about the kind of services provided at Femesque.

It was a really enjoyable and informative evening … much appreciated by everyone.

And there was still time for the regular raffle … which included a gift voucher donated by Femesque as one of the prizes. Here’s Laura giving the back of tickets a shake-up:

So … many, many thanks to Lynne and Claire … we loved you

Sunday January 29th 2012

It was great to see people for the first time in a couple of months. There were over a dozen girls altogether … quite a few regulars and also it was Rachel’s first visit. A couple of other people had been hoping to call in for their first visit but hadn’t been able to make it.

On February 26th we’re expecting a visit from Femesque … with hints and tips on makeup and a selection of new hairstyles … you’re welcome to come along.

We’ve had a couple of visits from Femesque in the past, which were great. You can read all about one of these visits and see some pictures here.