Surrey Swans provides a meeting place for transgendered folk and their partners, friends and families.
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:
and here:
Let me know what you think.
Andrea
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
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.
There were about 18 of us at the meeting in November. It was really good to see everyone after not being able to make it last month.
There are a couple of new girls that have made it to meetings over the past few months and it’s been great to get to know them a bit. One all the way from Transylvania.
If you’re reading this and would like to join us sometime then please feel free to send an email for more information (SurreySwans@hotmail.co.uk).
Topics of conversation varied from the usual girlie kind of things … to the early stages of planning a trip to Sparkle 2012 and a trip to Pink Punters sometime in the New Year. And also even a little on the Gospel according to Matthew … now that is intriguing.
If you’re planning on getting to Sparkle or Pink Punters … or would like to know more about them … again … please feel free to send an email.
I wasn’t able to get along to the meeting on 30th October … but Laura kindly took over for the evening … so many thanks Laura sweetie.
Several other regulars couldn't get along either, but there was a “newbie” which is always really nice. There were twelve people in all.
If you are reading this and you’d like to come along sometime … dates of meetings for 2011 are here and info on what we do and how to contact us is here.
Your name: Laura Jane Buckingham
Your photograph:
Year of your birth: 1969
Where you were born: Bermondsey, London
Where you now live: Bracknell
How long have you been involved with Surrey Swans? About 3 years or so I think
How would you describe your transgendered-ness right now? I'm dressed most evenings. Happy with the term transvestite.
How has that developed over the years? Very nicely thank you, lol. Been dressing from when I was a kid and developed over the years.
Who else knows about it and how do they feel? My lovely mum knows and is cool with it.
How do you find people react when you are out in “public”? I rarely have a problem, depends what your up to I guess.
What do you most like to wear? Knee length skirts, stockings, nice top or blouse.
Any embarrassing moments? I feel asleep (late) one night in pink punters and dear Andrea caught me on camera. Thanks hun. lol. (you know I love you Andrea)
Favourite things: Music means a lot to me, Rock 'n' Roll baby. F1 also.
Do you have a website or blog? You can find me on tvchix as laurajanebuckingham. Also flirtomatic as rockchick27
The Swans meeting on September 25th was, as ever, really nice. I hadn’t managed to get along to the meeting in August … I was away on holiday … so Linda kindly organised things then.
It was especially nice to meet three newcomers … Rachel, Lucy and Jen. It was great as well to see Michelle again who first came along in July. And great as well to see and catch up a little with so many other friends. There were eighteen people in all, a really nice kind of number.
