Oasis Times – Summer Sports & Wellbeing Edition

How to bowl a Maiden Over
by Our Sports Correspondent
Representing Oasis at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Pride event last year, I met Sophie who invited me (and anyone else interested) to join an LGBT softball cricket team organised by the Norfolk Cricket Development Officer. We had three training sessions in the sports hall at the UEA last autumn and this year were invited to a competition at Sutton Coldfield Cricket Club promoted by ‘Out4Cricket’. Two more practice sessions, then off we went.
Sunday, 12^th June was an idyllic day – sunny but not too hot with a gentle breeze. We chose ‘Iceni Maidens’ as our team name and Norfolk Cricket printed T shirts and gave us caps.
Four LGBT+ teams took part. Each game is 12 overs and 4 pairs of batters (there are 8 in a team) bat for three overs. If you are out, you carry on batting but lose 5 runs. When bowling, wides and no balls give away 2 runs. Although it’s called softball cricket, it is played with a pink, plastic ball which is hard and will hurt if it hits you!
We played the other three teams in a round robin and qualified for the final – which we won!
It was such a lot of fun. The team (3Ls, 4Gs and a T) got on so well. We are out for celebratory drinks next week and can’t wait for the next competition. If anyone else is interested in playing, please get in touch with me.
In the meantime, be ‘out’ but don’t be out – if you see what I mean!
Serena

🏳️‍⚧️Norwich TransPride are very excited to share the NTP Wellbeing Guide 2026 with you.
This has truly been a passion project for Norwich Trans Pride. It all began after their Wellbeing Event at Chantry Hall last November, where so many of you told us how valuable it would be to have a directory of trusted support services and welcoming businesses for our community.
The response to the call for submissions was incredible! It took us a little longer than expected to bring everything together, but effort has been worthwhile as the finished guide is an excellent document which even includes a little old group called Oasis.
NTP have offered a huge thank you to everyone who contributed, shared information, and supported us along the way, hoping that this guide belongs to you and the wider Norwich Trans Pride community. 💜

📖 Download the free A5 printable PDF – click on this link here.
📚 Browse the online flipbook – click on this link here
🏳️‍⚧️ Printed copies will be available on the Oasis stall at Norwich Pride.

“Let the train take the strain!”
With Britain’s railways returning to public ownership, it seems only fitting to revive that famous old slogan. But which train should we choose? A steam train, of course!
On Sunday 2nd August 2026, Oasis will once again be climbing aboard the Mid Norfolk Railway for its annual visit during the MNR’s ever-popular War Time Weekend.
This is one Oasis outing you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a lifelong railway enthusiast or you’ve never travelled behind a steam locomotive before, we can promise you a truly memorable day. Enjoy the sights, sounds and unmistakable atmosphere of a bygone age as we journey through the beautiful Norfolk countryside from Dereham to Wymondham, and back.
So, please pop 2nd August in your diary now, and keep an eye on your inbox next week for your invitation and full details. All aboard!

Future Projects – Community Wellbeing Day.
Have gazebo, will travel! That’s the summer motto of Équipe Oasis, so when Future Projects asked us to join their Wellbeing Day, the answer was a resounding yes!
Future Projects are committed to tackling hardship across Norfolk. Events like this play a vital role in bringing support, resources, and hope directly into the heart of the community of north Norwich.
Come and join us, say hello, and marvel at the new Oasis gazebo. We’d love to see you there!
Location: Pilling Park, Norwich NR1 4PA
Date: Wednesday, 19th August 2026
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm