Transgender social club

MANCHESTER CONCORD

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Letters of Thanks

These are some of the letters we have received from people very soon after they have started to visit us. We are always very grateful to get such letters and have decided to include them here as a way of further encouraging new people who are nervous about coming along for the first time

Hi Mary

I am the partner of Lucy Ward, we had our first evening in Manchester on the 9th November 2011. It was Lucy's second outing since she told me about herself just over a year ago, and after knowing her for three years.
We was told about your club by people on TVchix, Once we was both dressed we went down to Edens and had a meal and at the end of our meal I spoke to some ladies at the next table, then they asked us to join them and we introduced ourselves. The ladies was Vanessa who had to leave to get back to the club, Danni and Jenny Louise. We couldn't have wished for two better ladies to talk us about Manchester as I come from Norfolk and Lucy is from Suffolk. After a while they invited us to come back to the club. We was made to feel very welcome. We stayed for a while and was about to leave when we went over to Danni and said about going and while there she introduced us to Helena. We was told that the places we was on about going to wouldn't be opened yet so we stayed a bit longer and then they took us about the village. It was lovely in the Tea room, then from there to Paddys and onto Naps. We have never had so much fun and laughter in the short time we was with them, We can't thank them enough. They are both fantastic and so was Jenny Lousie in the short time we was with her so PLEASE pass on our thanks to them xxxxxx
Lucy would love to become a member but because of her work and where we live we would rarely get to the club until our situations change but would love to pop up whenever we get back to Manchester if thats ok?

Kas and Lucy xxxx

Hi Mary

Just thought that I would send you a quick mail to let you know that I had a fabulous time last night and I am very glad that I came down and joined you all, All the ladies were really welcoming and I ended up out and about a few other bars as well, which I found enjoyable as well. I shall definitely be back, work permitting and am looking to stay over in town to fully maximise the experience next time.

I look forward to seeing you soon,

Best wishes Ami

Mary,
Many thanks for making myself and my partner Sue so welcome on our first visit to to the group. It was far better than I anticipated. Sue had a brilliant time talking to those that came and sat with us. She never talks to anybody and is generally quite shy, so that was an acheivement in itself. That said she did go home somewhat drunk, lucky thing. We are off on holiday for a while but will be around from the beginning of September and plan to come as often as circumstances will allow.

Many thanks,
Kara

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for the welcome letter. Thanks also for making me feel so welcome at this past Wednesday's social. I had a great time, and met a number of wonderful girls - including you, of course. I'm still so impressed by the turnout at your events. I think it's fantastic and speaks to the strength of your group and its members.

Because of my attendance last Wednesday, I was able to connect with 4 girls who invited me to join them for dinner on Saturday. We also went to the 'Ladyboys of Bangkok' show and went club hopping afterwards - A wonderful introduction to Manchester and to the warmth of your membership.

As I mentioned, I expect to be back in Manchester several more times this year, and am absolutely looking forward to seeing you again. If you should ever find yourself in the San Francisco area, please drop me a line. I'd *love* to return the favor.

XOXO,
Lisah

Apr 09

Hi! My name is Claire and this is my account of my second visit to Manchester Concord.
After my first trip in my everyday clothes I recognised that my visits to MC would be my chance to explore my feminine side. However, I was very nervous about being accepted as a female because I prefer the tomboy image. Thus I would be wearing a blouse and jeans instead of a pretty dress, I would be wearing my clodhopper NHS boots because of my club feet, I wouldn’t be wearing any make-up because I don’t ‘do’ make-up, and I also wouldn’t be wearing a wig because I feel doing so is too much like putting on a costume when I want the experience to be as real as possible. I also break the t-girl taboo of not ‘tucking’ because I find it too uncomfortable to do so. So when it came down to it I’d look like a bloke in women's clothing with some breast sized lumps at the front! How on earth could they accept me looking like that!
However, from the moment I walked in the door I was made to feel hugely welcome. Not a single eyebrow was raised (although a few were plucked!) and there was no Spanish Inquisition either (and believe me I for one did expect the Spanish Inquisition!). I was introduced to Millie and then Louise (who I’d bumped into in the changing room) came and joined us and we all got on like a house on fire. Slowly I began to relax and my feminine mannerisms came to the fore... this is what I wanted! To feel like a woman! I was living the life I’d only ever fantasized about!
But time stands still for no (wo)man and all too soon reality kicked in reminding me about work the next morning and I simply had to leave as much as I hated to. Still, I couldn’t complain as three hours living the dream is a whole lot better than an eternity living the nightmare in drabland! So I got changed and headed home with a shopping list forming in my head for the essential items I needed for next time and looking forward to my next visit with keen anticipation.
So how best to sum up Manchester Concord? A life saver? A life giver? As the best buzz I’ve ever had in my whole life (three days and counting!)? All of the above and more... so much more!

Claire xx

Apr 09

Hiya Mary, just a quicky to thank you and the girls, especially Alison, who presented a warm friendly and welcoming greeting which immediately put me at ease. Also Elaine who it seems quite bowled over my friend Tina. And, of course heartfelt thanx to the hostess herself - yourself Mary who entertained us so graciously. I am really looking forward to meeting you all again as soon as I can and taking up membership.
Kind Regards P x

Feb 09

Thank you ever so much for the lovely warm welcome you gave us all, esepcially to Julia who's 50th it was. She had such a great time and can't wait to get back to Manchester again, Samantha and her male friend Michael took us all under their wing, has it where, and we had such a wonderful evening, going round several pubs before eventually ending up in Napoleon's.

One t-girl at the concord meeting was in a lovely pink sissy dress, I did not get her name, if you see her again or have an e-mail address for her could you please forward the enclosed photograph.

Once again I thank you for your ever so kind warm welcome.

Will see you again, soon.

Love
Georgina xxxx

Nov 08

Hiya Mary :)
Honestly purely by accident did myself and Cora happen across the Manchester concorde meeting that was taking place on wed 26th...... my first impressions of the gathering is that it was friendly and a really nice place to meet with others much like ourselves

The general atmosphere was really really pleasent and i think the whole idea of the meetings is a very wonderful idea....

Im trying to steer cora into being herself more (though i always stresss to her that she should do things in her own time, as it were) but i can see the meetings as hopefully a fantastic place to start to find herself more.

The whole village is a great place for any TG girl to find a welcoming area for her to just be herself and from what you was telling us the whole range of facilities on offer is a fantastic idea

As you may guess it was my first time at the village and indeed i hope one day soon to make another trip there, hopefully when there is another meeting taking place

Mary hugz to you and everyone for keeping a place for everyone to be and feel welcomed and i hope our paths will cross again one day:)
xhugzx

Clare from enfield

PS...Thank you for taking the pic....oh and your outfit was totally original and looked fantastic, but let me know if you wear it again and i will send on an earpiece (universal translater) to complete the look (lol)

TC

Oct 08

Well I'm pleased to say I did feel very welcome and certainly amongst many new friends. I had expected to be changing back to male mode before leaving but everything felt so right that is wasn't difficult for Pauline to persuade me to join her and others for a stroll, first to her hcr to drop off her bag of things then over to Paddy's Goose.

Having never experienced the cool night air through my stockings and flapping my skirts against me, that was another first. Even just walking through the door marked "Ladies" at Paddy's Goose was something I'd dreamed I might one day do and now have. Pauline kindly walked me back to my car as I wasn't too sure about straying all the way to my car that was parked only on the edge of the village. The things you no doubt have got used to, such as reversing yourself into your car seat then swinging your legs in, gathering in skirts in the process, were all new to me.

I drove Pauline back to where her car was parked on the other side of the village then proceeded to drive myself home. I took off my wig, skirt and pettis in a dark spot just a short distance from my home and arrived back home feeling an entire new world had just opened up for me.

I can't imagine the pic you took of me can possibly look too good, but if it did come out, I do keep feeling curious to see myself in a public location. I've checked the "Mary's Blog" page for the past couple of days in case anything had appeared from Wednesday 22nd and if I do make it the page, it will be a thrill for me!

I said on Wednesday that I might not be back for another three or four weeks. I somehow hope I'm going to make it back much sooner than that.

Thanks again for the friendly welcome,
Elaine

Oct 08

Just a quick line to say how much I enjoyed my visit last night. and that I'll be seeing a lot more of you all in future. Thank you very much indeed for a lovely evening. Susie

Oct 08

Just to let you know that I have replied to Elaine's "Welcome letter" Email, and to say that Judy and I enjoyed our evening with you all. We will definitely be attending the Wednesday meetings as and when the work schedule allows us to make the journey from here in Stoke-on-Trent.
Thank you for mentioning me in your blog, and for the warm welcome extended to both of us.
Here's hoping to see you soon,
Best wishes,
From.
Debbie.

Jul 08

Hi Mary, thankyou and Elaine for making Mandy and I so welcome last evening , we went to Eden to eat and intended to return to Concord but time and expiring car park ticket got the better of us !
It is good to see the group in such ahealthy state and we will endeavour to attend as other commitments allow.
good luck for the future

Huggggs Carole 111 & Mandy

Jul 08

I really enjoyed myself on Wed, it was nice to meet everyboby. I promise Chantelle will come soon !!
Thanks for taking so much time out for me.
Chantelle
xx

Jul 08

Hi Mary

Just a quick thank you for your welcome last night at concord. I was truly delighted to be welcomed so warmly by yourself and all the other girls I spoke to. I will be coming back as soon as I reasonably can and will be joining concord for the cameraderie and fun that the group engenders. It was gratifying to see such a wide range of ages/sizes/styles and abilities on display, it certainly stopped me thinking I wouldn't fit in somewhere.
I was also surprised by the safe feel of the whole area and the way everyone just got on with having fun in their own particular way without any negativity or abuse.
Gill was full of questions this morning and I have tried to condense last nights experience for her, but I don't feel I really do it justice, so maybe she will have to come with me and see for herself.
Anyway thanks again for making this poor nervous person feel like an old friend.
Please pass on my thanks to Alison particularly, but to all the girls that made me feel so welcome.

Paul

Jul 08

Hi Mary,

Well I did enjoy myself at the Rembrant last night, and when I am in Manchester again will certainly make the effort to visit.

I had been on my own before and didn't really chat to anyone as I thought I was imposing on already started conversations and didn't get much benefit from going, as I recall you were not present.

Thankyou for taking the time to chat to Jessica and myself and we are both pleased you took our picture and want to put it on your website.

Thanks again Christine Black, Cardiff

Jul 08

Dear Mary,

I thought I’d drop you a line to thank you for the wonderful evening I had with you on Wednesday. Even though it was our first visit to your venue, I felt like I was amongst friends immediately. I know Craig who I was with enjoyed himself, but I’ll be honest, I think I enjoyed myself even more. I was buzzing when I got home and all I talked about was you and the lovely girls I’d met. I’d also like to thank you for the mention on your blog. It was a lovely surprise and have actually had quite a few hits on my website because of it.

I cant wait to come down to see you again but this time I’ll make sure I have longer with you. Unfortunately, my other half is working the next couple of Wednesdays, so i will have to wait till then!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care and see you soon. xxxxxxxx

Regards

Jules

May 08

Hi Mary,
Just a note of thanks for my visit to Manchester Concord last Weds. 28th May - we had a great night!
I'm Diana Richards (see cheesy pic!), and was one of the Northern Angels party with Lisa Karen.
We didn't get a proper chance to speak, but I hope to visit on another Weds. soon if that's OK and be more sociable !
I believe Lisa Karen sorted out our entrance money with you, but I didn't get a chance to join.
I guess I'll do it next time ?
hugs,
Diana
xxx
ps my pink fishnets and silver shoes were in honour of sixties night!

Feb 08

Hi Mary!

I just finished reading your blog, and was tickled to find that my visit with you warranted a mention! I was further racked with guilt in that it reminded me of my obligations - so here goes.

Your kind welcome and easy, natural company that evening meant such a lot to this northern gal on her first real venture into the village: most important, in a way, your introducing me to management people at Naps meant that the Thursday, a night when I was almost the 'only tranny in the village', was far from lonely or scary, as I spent the whole evening there in Naps with Michael and his friends, who just accepted me like an old girly chum. They were really lovely, and that wouldn't have been available to me without your kind 'induction' on Wed after MC was finished.

I do have 1 or 2 nice piccies of you which I took at Naps, and when I find which HD they're on, I'll email 'em to you .

So - a big ty to you and your friends, and I do hope we can share a glass of something nice quite soon- having started my village life in such warm, friendly company means I'm already working on getting back to see you all soon.
Best of look with the new regime at Concord - remeber I said that if you need some web design work to modernise the site, I'd be pleased to look at it...

Kindest regards and nice big hugs

Kay
xxx

Transgender Social Club