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| The Boston Belles - Brothertoft Village Hall - on the B1192 4 miles West of Boston - highly recommended for all TG's and their loved ones and especially the shy recluses (like me) . The second Friday in each month 7:30 to 11:00 come along and show your support - remember "use it or lose it". Transcend (T-Junction spin off) - Derbys TV/TS/TG Support and Social Group. Contact Beth at beth_syymourts@yahoo.com for details. T-Junction2 - Original Derby TG Support Group. email TJunction2@yahoogroups.com
July 7th 2008 - Well I'm walking again, but if anything the problems as bad as when I went in, still early days. Word from Derby is that there now appears to be 2 groups there. I've included the link to the new group calling itself "Transcend" , as well as what appears to be the original group now renamed "T-Junction 2" (very original). When you all get your heads together for the overall good please get in touch with me and i'll amend the links. However if I only get more negative feedback I'll drop Derby from my links altogether - a shame. June 16th 2008 - I supose you have to face up to things. Tomorrow I go into hospital for a double operation. You hear so many things about infections and such and yes I'm very worried. Being superstitious two Derby TGs have died in the last month I'm not keen on being the third. Whatever, I'll be on crutches for a while anyway so my best features won't be on show for some time! Talking of Derby it seem that the T'Junction group has 'imploded' in the wake (pun not necessarily intended) of Karen's sad demise, so my wishes that it be a lasting memorial seem to have been dashed at a stroke. Sad that our misunderstood and very often beleaguered community can be split by the petty squables that destroy political parties and the like. Oh well! Anyway if things do go awry tomorrow this site will vanish along with me for ever. As soon as the monthly bill gets unpaid, 3Essentials will pull the plug, they have been an excellent web provider for just $4 a month (approx £2) and I heartily endorse them. LoL. May 17th 2008 - Sad news about the untimely death of Karen McLean the founder of T'Junction in Derby. Despite my probems there early on, Karen and I retained an email corespondence and she was always supportive. It's a very sad and undeserved loss of a very brave lady. Only days before she had excitedly reported the re-launch of a T'Junction web site. Hopefully this and the T'Junction grooup will continue and grow from strength to strength as a lasting tribute to Karen's memory. R.I.P. March 2008 - I can't believe how long it's been since I got to do anything here. Problem is I could not get broadband until now and the dial up made it unrealistic to update. Not that there is anything to say really. Brenda has been very much in the closet since moving down here. Karen at T'Junction very kindly dropped me some contact links for groups in Hampshire and Dorset and I've written emails to a few but not arranged to visit. The dreaded bronchitis bug struck me down a few weeks ago and is still causing lots of problems so my get up and go has sort of got up and gone. We had planned on going up to Boston to Belinda and Joanne's party early in February but illness put paid to that. I also can't believe that the pic of me (right) that I've used on my 'Home Page' since the start is only 5 years old (the picture, not me). Thought it was time for a change. March 2007 - moved now to Hampshire after spending all my life in and around the Nottingham/Derby area. It's been a real wrench and I don't know how things will go. My visits to Boston will now become a rarity because of the distance involved. I would love to meet up with and join a similar group in the Hamphire/West Sussex/East Dorset area so if you know of any please, please get in touch. The really nasty people at NTL (now Virgin Media) cut off all my email addresses and mail whilst I was in France just because I am not in an area now served by their cables so beware - set up new email addresses on something like Google or Yahoo and keep them as backups in case you change your ISP (Internet Service Provider). December 2006 - Lots of things have happened and are happening but all away from the TG Scene. There is now a 'ménage et trios' since we got married in October. Now it's hectic dodging about between Derby and the South Coast before a move down there becomes 'permanent' early next year. I hope Brenda can find a group in the West Sussex/Hants area to go to. August 30th - On the 23rd July Brenda had another first - walking in daylight a few hundred yards to the 'Belles' stand at Lincolnshire Pride (see below). Since then she has been sidelined due to planning the wedding in October and the new start that means.
June 6th - 2006 - France was brilliant and so much of a rest from the politics and the speed cameras! By the time the Belles meet in July I will be engaged to the wonderful lady I've mentioned here before. We have decided to do up my house over the next few months and then put it up for sale. I'll then be moving to the South coast before a likely emigration to France. All this will be a very big wrench for Brenda - having to say farewell to the friends she has made - particularly via the 'Belles'. In the short term she will be looking for somewhere to visit in the deep South (anybody know of TG groups in France?). Brenda is really grateful for" Joyce's Counseling Service" at the May meeting which was instrumental in helping to make up her mind.
April 3rd 2006 - sorry I have not been active on the site for a while. I have not been too well and I'm off to France for a fortnight on the 7th April - so the Belles visit is out for this month. My job is in limbo due to a change of 'management' and 'restructuring' so unless I can find another IT support job in the Nottingham/Derby area I won't be able to cover the mortgage and bills and I will have to sell up and move out. Favourite at the moment looks like the South Coast which means Brenda having to start all over again as well, not something I'm (we're) looking forward too at all. January 27th 2006 - a lot has happened to Brenda. Some of which I am still trying to get my head around. Suffice to say that there is someone else to share my secrets with. A lady I have known a few years has 'come out' in support of my alto ego. She came with me to the Belles Xmas Party - see the pic (thanks to Louise "T-Girl Photography" - louise1cd@msn.com ) where a good time was had by all. This is a development I never really dared to hope for. Just goes to show it's never too late. I don't think I'll be at the Belles in February as it's 'Belinda's' Ruby Wedding 'due' so two trips so far East in a week is a bit too much. We'll see. Congrats to Bel and Joanne and I hope to see some of you at the 'Boudoir'. I'm disappointed that no one has put anything into my 'new' Guest Book and there has been no feed back on anything at ALL!
November 11th 2005 - Guesting at the Belles after a torturous journey from even further West than I was a lady named 'Robbie' who has started a business obtaining and selling footwear of all kinds, especially catering for the TG community with sizes up to 15! Robbie trades as Deeva's Shoes - telephone 01782-561559 give her a call or click on the link and send her an email and she will arrange to come and show her 'wares' to your group. Shoes are a problem for many and having someone to take the time to ensure you get exactly what you want is a real plus so try and give Robbie your support. If there is anyone out there who has both time on their hands and web building experience - get in touch with Robbie as well since she is in need of a web site a.s.a.p. and does not need 'ripping off' by some commercial crook!
October 15th 2005 - I got embroiled in the dark lanes of deepest Lincolnshire last night and arrived late at the 'Belles'. Quite a few new faces since my last visit (no pics as they would just be repetitive). It seemed a little segmented and clique' this time as well which was somewhat daunting for the shy retiring types like me and (apparently) the 'debutante' from Kings Lynne who only stayed for a few minutes. I hope she will not be put off by this experience and decides to try again. Belinda and her 'helpers' put a lot into the Belles and deserve a lot of support in return so a few more new faces and new ideas might not go amiss. October 12th 2005 - I'm planning on going to Brothertoft on Friday evening . Outfit and look will be 'thrown' together as it's all got to be done in the car on the way. I've got to make a 'straight' visit in deepest Lincolnshire first so any trace of Brenda has to be covered up. Hope some of you can come along too (to the Belles that is). T'Junction have got a 'second' venue for more social evenings - will I be tempted back? September 1st 2005 -I'm putting this in just as a catch up. Brenda has not been out since June the 10th. I had planned on going over to the "Belles" in August but with a really hectic weekend ahead of me and a lot of traveling the 160 mile round trip to Lincolnshire (in the rain) was abandoned. I would love to get there this month on the 9th but it looks like another "miss" as I am likely to be on a photo charter at Crewe loco works. Hey Oh- a merry social whirl eh? Try again in October! Meanwhile please keep emailing me as it gets lonely here in wildest Derbyshire. June
21st 2005 - back pretty soon eh? Well I got the
following reply from the ‘Sparkle’ people. It seems that all you other
TG’s out there can afford hotels so changing is not a worry. Well if you are
on £100 or less a week like me any hotels are way out of reach - this is
a similar thing that rules out going to ‘Way Ahead’ etc. As for driving into
that area of Manchester well I don’t have the knowledge or the inclination to
do it so - no ‘Sparkle’ for Brenda! If there are others who would like to
‘change’ there well you will have to speak up for next year. "Hi
Brenda, June 20th 2005 - Well for once I’ve been up to date without being (so to speak) - Brenda only made a couple of visits since way back in March and those strictly at home. Decided though that she had to get out again so it was a lovely run and evening at Brothertoft on the 10th June (pic above right). Belying the Myth that TG’s are likened to ‘Vampires’ (only coming out in the dark) there were upwards of 20 of us there . It doesn’t look at the moment that I will be going to ‘Sparkle’ on the 25 for a number of reasons. Firstly I did not really want to go on my own but I would (and could) do that. I have no problem with feeling safe in the village but getting to and from the car - especially late at night - and dressed is really putting me off. I’ve written to the organizers asking about changing facilities but got no replies - hey oh! I’ve just heard about the setting up of the UK Transgender Alliance which along with new legislation is hopefully going to make us all “legit” at last. The work though is only just beginning. Take a look at :- http://www.uktransalliance.org.uk/] and if your organization or support group is not listed then please get them to look into getting involved
March 7th, 2005 - Well thanks to the intervention of at least one lovely TG on my behalf, I have been re-instated into the T'Junction MSN Group and even got a kind comment in my guest book from Karen. I won't be attending any meetings in the near future though. Coward! If things go OK I'll make it over to the "Belles" this Friday and hope to see some of you there. I'm also really looking forward to a 'public' debut in the 'Village' for "Sparkle" on June 25th. I see that none of you share my interest in the Chinese Horoscope - or are you too afraid it will be too accurate? February 21st, 2005 - I decided to put the site on a 'legit' footing after using the "free" services of Lycos.uk over the first few months. The decision was driven by two main things the first being that Lycos did not support my 'new' guest book and the second being pop-up animated adverts that obliterated the title and navigation buttons. So Brenda is now a "Brengun.org.uk" for her sins. February 2005(2) - The dreaded bugs kept me from going anywhere early on and the 'love affair' with T'Junction came to a premature and sudden end. At the 'elections' one of the "instant" volunteers proclaimed that they were 'expert' in IT in general and web building in particular and would design a new permanent web site to replace the temporary one on MSN. Some three weeks later that person then sent out an email asking for comments on their efforts! I made the mistake of making less than complimentary ones for a) a "professional" site builder and b) its very nature for a supposed 'serious' TG group: Judge for yourselves at: http://www.apba39.dsl.pipex.com/TJ/home.htm (I'll leave this link in for a while as it is changing - for the better?). I offered my limited assistance but suffice to say that I only got the "Shot at Dawn" treatment from some and no answer at all from the 'top'. So after waiting so long for somewhere local to go - I've blown it! Typical Taurean/Rooster eh! Back into the closet methinks! I will leave the link until they ask me to remove it though! February 2005 (1) - Happy New Year! - The Chinese new year that is. I've always been intrigued by the Chinese Horoscope, mainly because it seems so accurate and works - not on a 12 month cycle but a 60 year one which means of course that the 'conditions' applying at the point of your birth will only occur once more in your lifetime! You can also plot your time of birth to within 2 hours if you don't know it, simply by your characteristic traits. For the cynics amongst you (and anyone else) I will provide you with a Chinese horoscope based on your birth details for a nominal sum (£5). January 19th 2005 - T'Junction. The second meeting of TJ was a truncated one due to the venue having to be vacated in one hour! A committee was elected in true corporate fashion and we adjourned to the lovely 'Freddie's Bar'. The task is on to find a more social venue than the Tenants Centre for the next meeting and it may be a 'quiz' night. Meanwhile all you Derby TG's contact Karen and join up at the new T'Junction web site - http://groups.msn.com/T-Junction December 15th - Derby. The inaugural meeting of a long overdue TV/TS/TG group which we have called T-Junction (think about it) - a deliberately less 'fluffy' name as it intends to be taken seriously as a campaigning as well as social group. It already has backing from the local 'Council' and Derbyshire Constabulary plus a healthy starting bank balance. There were representatives from the police and other local bodies as well as TG's from Litchfield, Burton & Leicester as well as the Derby area. This first meeting was rather formal, talking about it's name, constitution, committee etc. but we later adjourned to 'Freddie's Bar' and a convivial welcome there. I'll be going along to future meetings but I do personally
have a problem with 'dressing'. I'm not happy to walk across the city or to
change at the present venue (maybe I'll try the latter someday) so it'll be in
'drab' - again something I am not comfortable with at a TG meeting. December 10th - The Belles Xmas 'do' had to 'do' without me as I had a disastrous accident on my motor-cycle on the 4th, losing 4 hours from my memory and with no witnesses a total mystery. Anyway I hear it was a total success. November 12th - saw me keeping up my record by taking Lisa from Derby over to the Belles. With 5 in the car though that's one record I'll have to put on hold. The meeting later took on a surreal look (conversation wise) which was amusing for some and uncomfortable for others, at least it shows the diversity of TG's get-togethers. October 11th 2004 - Boston Belles again, funny there were 14 again but quite a few different and a few new faces, but the same convivial mix of TG & RG. This time I picked up Alison and 'new girl' Rebecca on the way.
June 2004 - Many thanks for the messages and constructive criticism of the site. You will notice that I have taken the points about the gallery to heart and changed things a little to deal with the gentile Victorian frame of mind of the UK TG culture. May 23rd. "Brendas' Burst Bubble" What a difference a day can make! Part 2 of the "coming out" plan was to visit with a 'group of TG's in Lincoln on Friday the 28th. I'd been told about this 'safe' venue by my friend Alison and it seemed a logical progression. I though it only courteous though to e-mail the 'girls' running the group and ask for directions. Rather than go into long explanations of who I was I asked them to have a look at this site. To my absolute horror I got a reply that they did not want me to go - indeed I was obviously not only 'not their kind of person' but also some sort of "pervert/sexual predator!!!!! This apparently gleaned from my photo album. Obviously not capable of reading about me - just look at the pics. I very upset and angry about this 'treachery'. You expect understanding at least from the TG/TS community not the same prejudices we get from every other quarter. This has set me back a lot and put the lock back on the closet door. May 22, 2004 Brenda "Comes Out" After over 45 years I came out and met up with other T'Girls for the first time. Encouraged by the contacts I made through 'The UK Angels' and eventually speaking over the phone an operation to rival D'Day was put in place. I dressed under a loose 'leisure suit' and set off for a 70 plus mile journey to Lincolnshire. In a lonely lay-by some 10 miles from home, the 'suit' came off,, the shoes, wig and make up were applied, then it was on with the shades and one less 'male' driver gave way to another 'female' one. Initially it took a few miles to get used to driving in 2.5 inch heels but after that my whole mind set changed, whether it was just being more careful because of the situation I don't know but I fell into total 'femme' mode, and it felt so 'goooooood'! The meeting with 2 other TG's was tense for a while but again I soon felt at ease and it was again really great to have the company of other TG's and not feel the 'outcast' for the first time in my life, talking about dresses, wigs, make up etc and the obligatory photo session laced with copious supplies of coffee and good 'craek'. All too soon it was time to do everything in reverse and head back to my 'solitude'. The run back was even better than going and another lay by was conveniently out of the way and empty for the change back to 'drab'. My unconditional gratitude must go to Mandy and my TG 'mentor and 'hostess' Alison, I can't thank you enough.
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March 11th 2005 - It
seems such a long time since I let
Brenda visit - January 19th - two months. I went on my own to the Belles and had
a lovely relaxed evening. Jen was getting her prize make over and photo session
which impressed everyone. The run back was late enough for me to risk driving
all the way and 'tripping' along the drive as Brenda.
September 8th 2004 - The Boston Belles - The inaugural
meeting was held at Brothertoft Village Hall. The pic shows the 'early birds'
with Belinda the founder and erstwhile organiser supreme at the front right.
Eventually there were 14 attendees both TG's and their RG partners. For Brenda
(left back) it was another first - a group meeting! I used the same scenario as
in my previous 'points East' trip which I am comfortable with - it
works for me anyway, TG's only see Brenda not old 'ugly - mug' (uglier anyway)!
The venue is remote with no overlooking properties at all and is I would think
just about as 'safe' as one could get short of being locked away in your own
house. 
