oasis norfolk

The sound of willow on leather, cream on strawberries and raindrops on umbrellas, at last the British summer has finally arrived. When there was a break in the cloud the other day, I found the Oasis production team sunning themselves on Southwold beach, apparently holding an offsite team building meeting. They could have fooled me, but I got my own back by putting real sand in their sandwiches. Ha! Before they could disappear again, I got them to produce our Summer newsletter.

Did you ever want to appear on film? Curtesy of Queer Norfolk and Age UK Norwich, we now have two opportunities, please read on.

Out Loud: Life Stories from Trans Norfolk
Queer Norfolk are excited to announce the launch an oral history programme focused on capturing voices from East Anglia’s Trans community.  Why are they doing this? 
Trans voices are often excluded from history and the project is to make sure that Trans folk are represented now and in the future. Queer Norfolk wish to document trans peoples’ unique experiences through recording oral histories to preserve their stories and shed light on the joys and challenges they face today. The recordings will be hosted on the Queer Norfolk website, and shared with The Norfolk Record Office for their long-term preservation.
Who do QN want to hear from? They are seeking to record oral histories from a broad range of Trans people who are from or living in Norfolk and beyond, wishing to speak to adults of different ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds at any point in their transition.
How will QN ensure your privacy? Participants can remain anonymous, names changed or omitted, voices can be digitally altered, and all recordings will be reviewed and authorised by participants before publication and being securely stored.
How can you get involved? Please let me know and I will co-ordinate with Queer Norfolk on behalf of Oasis, or feel free to email directly using queernorfolk@gmail.com.

An invitation to share your story – Age UK Norwich
Age UK Norwich are working with a variety of LGBTQIA+ groups in Norwich and Norfolk to share stories of over 50s in the queer community. They are looking to create video content in the lead up to this years Norwich Pride and beyond. Sharing memories of Pride, giving advice for future generations, and discussing what has and hasn’t changed in the time you have lived, worked and loved in Norwich. They hope these videos will shine a light on over 50s and their connection to Pride, both in the past, present and future. They are hoping to arrange filming at their Norwich office, and anyone wanting to be filmed will be invited to attend and will produce a short 10-15 min video interview. The resulting short films will be showcased on Age UK social media and shown at Norwich Pride.
How can you get involved? There are filming opportunities on Wednesday 24th July. Please let me know and I will co-ordinate with Age UK or email directly to megan.durrant@ageuknorwich.org.uk.

❤️ Both of these projects jigsaw very nicely into a programme I would like to run in 2025 to create a written history of Oasis. Please join us in creating Transgender history and a history of Oasis however you identify, one story at a time and hopefully including your story. ❤️

Talking of Age UK, they have a wonderful guide called ‘Navigating Later Life ‘ which is available to download online or we have a copy available to borrow in The Oasis Library. The guide is produced specifically for the older members of the LGBT+ Community, and is packed full of useful information.

Quakers in Britain is an LGBTQ+ affirming faith group.
At the recent Beccles Pride event I was delighted to spend time with The Quakers, they confirmed that they were the first church to affirm LGBTQ+ relationships and in 2021 Quakers nationally committed to providing safe places of worship and community that are welcoming and supportive of Transgender, Non Binary and Gender Diverse people. If you would like to find out more or find your local Friends Meeting Place and find community with The Quakers this link will take you to The Quaker’s website. My Great Auntie May, who I loved very dearly, was a practising Quaker, and I always will remember that her Quaker friends showed great kindness to May in her later life. We can never have enough kindness in this world, or enough Auntie Mays.

That’s it, now I’m off to practise penalties in the back garden; but please don’t forget Oasis on Saturday 20th , Norwich Pride on Saturday 27th and a visit to Mid Norfolk Railway on Sunday 4th August. Pop these dates in your diary and look out for the invitations in an email inbox near you. Finally talking of the past, Carole remined me of her article which was published in the Beaumont Society magazine in 1995. Carol’s experience reminded me of our recent meeting with John Lewis. I will leave you with Carole having a wonderful time in Rotherham.
Love ❤️
Lilly
xxx

‘Out in Rotherham 1995’
Saturday morning actually started on Friday for me when Sally Watson said I could join her on a shopping trip. Sally had very kindly offered to drive me to Rotherham for the Beaumont Society Conference. So all Friday I was equally exited and terrified at the thought of such a public expedition to a busy shopping centre on a Saturday, it would be the first time the general public would see Carole. Right up to the last minute I was doubtful whether to go. Did I look alright, would I make a fool of myself, or even worse embarrass Sally? Nevertheless, fortified by a new pair of boobs bought from Hayway Shoes that morning, I dressed in a short but smart grey skirt, white blouse and 2 inch court shoes. We called a taxi and were whisked off to Sheffield and arrived at the main entrance of the Meadowhall Shopping Centre where Sally had arranged for a personal shopper service in Debenhams. Looking at the map we saw that Debenhams was at the other end of the centre, so there was no option but to walk the whole length of the ground floor. That was my first thrill, the sound of heels on the marble stone floor. If I had wanted to sneak through the crowds unnoticed the click-clack of my heels did for that idea! Heels certainly help to walk in a lady-like way, so I looked up and tried to look confident.
Arriving at Debenhams we took the escalator to the first floor and asked the way to the personal shoppers. We were met by Sarah, then invited into a large room furnished with sofas and a curtained changing area at one corner and offered coffee. All very civilised. Soon Jayne, the other personal shopper, arrived, and while she attended Sally, Sarah asked me my measurements and recommended that I wear bold colours, no pastels for me! Sally and I were asked what we were looking for and this is where the two ladies really worked hard, searching the store for our wishes. Sarah brought back a selection of slips and cardigans for me. After a great deal of deliberation and advice I chose a body-control half slip. Then for the cardigan. Long or short, what colour, with or with-out pockets? I finally chose a red one with a roll collar. Meanwhile Sally was trying on what seemed like dozens of gowns, dresses, skirts and tops. I could see Sally’s credit card was going to take a heavy attack! Satins, sequins, side-slits scattered around the room. Sarah and Jayne were so helpful with their professional advice and friendly manner.
Then came a knock on the door, it was the store manager coming to see if we were being looked after well enough.. What a nice man! Then a message from the make-up stand, would we like a make-over and some advice on make up? Of course and, naturally, we bought some more make-up. More violence to the credit cards, but oh, so lovely! We had arrived at 11 o’clock and it was now 2pm. Time had flown. So while Sally’s make-up was being finished I needed the loo, so Sarah took me to the customers’ ladies, another first for me. We finally said our good-byes to Sarah and Jayne; Sally and I must have made a favourable impression as they asked us to promote the Personal Shopper service to other members of our community! Now, before we returned to the hotel we decided to find something to eat. Another walk to the eating area of the shopping centre. On the way we looked into a mens’ clothes shop, and saw boring colours and boring looking people. Standing there I thought we were like a couple of bright white fillings in a mouthful of rotten teeth! We moved on quickly to the eating area. We found a table in an open restaurant and hardly any one took any notice of us, that is, until I knocked over a glass of orange juice! On our way to the taxi rank we saw two teenage girls looking at us a bit puzzled, so we stopped and they asked Sally if she was a man. They showed no fear or aggression just interest. We answered yes, and they then turned to me and asked if I was a man too. Unfortunately it was not the time and place to stand and chat but it was nice to think that they were not sure! By now we were glad to get into a taxi and rest our aching feet and my heel blister!
So my first real ‘outing’ was like ringing the biggest bell in the belfry, and you can’t un-ring a bell.
Thanks a million Sally! Carole x