My First Time in Manchester

• Posted by Devon Johnson September 13, 2014 #Manchester Concord  1,964 views
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  Dear Reader,

  My Guide and Mentor in this World, Pauline Smith has suggested I write this Blog about my first time in The Village, Manchester last week, so if you have any complaints about its long rambling nature, please direct them to her. :-)

  So how did I come to be standing on Canal Street on a Wednesday night in September trying to become an extra in a TV drama being filmed in Via Bar?

  Well, it’s a long story and one that will be familiar to many of you, so I won’t bore you to death with mine, but it involves ‘feelings’ from early years, few opportunities to express myself, marriage, children, the arrival of the internet, eBay, click and collect shopping, Facebook and finally Transtastic.

  There, that’s covered 45 years; we are now in May 2014!!

  I now have a name, Devon, an identity; mature businesswoman, a decent wig and passable (?) make up, gone were the sky high heels, bright blue eye shadow and pvc clothing.

  Subtle make up, fashionable clothes and smart high heeled shoes are now me.

  Before Manchester I had been out only 5 times and each time it was late at night and I was on my own and I didn’t meet anyone else. Oh I was in the right places, Dempseys, Sheffield, The Viaduct, Leeds and The Village Inn, Birmingham, but on the wrong nights! Family circumstances restrict me to mid weeks and these places are fairly quiet mid week (well very quiet actually!!).

  There were many Gay couples and groups there and none of them gave me any trouble, in fact they were very nice to me and I’m not complaining, just being out as Devon was a wonderful feeling. Walking back to my hotel in Birmingham and seeing my reflection in the shop windows, the smell of my perfume, the cool breeze on my legs. You know all the sorts of things that make it special so I won’t go on any more. :-)

  My work takes me around the Country and there was an opportunity coming up for an overnight stay in the north west – Crewe area and so I posted on Transtastic asking if there was anywhere in that area.

  My Guide and Mentor, Pauline replied and advised me to look at Manchester, Canal Street. She told me places to visit, places to stay that were TGirl friendly and even suggested I had a meal out at a place called Villagios!! A meal out?? Devon was still learning to walk properly in her heels!!

  She also suggested I try and arrange it so that I was there on a Wednesday night as the “Manchester Concord” meet on a Wednesday.

  Manchester what? – Google – oh I see, a meeting place for girls like me.

  A place to meet other girls?

  What real ones that I can talk to? I believe the youth text term at this point is ‘OMG!!

  The plan slowly came together, room booked at The Union Hotel, map of the area printed off and the places Pauline mentioned marked on it.

  There was to be a Fashion Show at the Concord that night and, not knowing what to expect there, I hoped it meant it would be busy and I could blend quietly into the background and out of the way.

  On the day, I arrived mid afternoon, checked in and went for a walk around to get my bearings. Villagios, Via, The Goose, Mollys House and Napoleons were all committed to memory. I didn’t want to be seen wandering around late at night with a handbag in one hand and a map in the other did I?

  The place was calm and felt safe and friendly. People were sat around in the afternoon sunshine drinking and chatting.

  There was also a lot of men walking about with radios and cables on the floor and lighting stands, but they didn’t interest me at all. Well not at 3pm they didn’t, maybe they would later. :-)

  The time came to start preparing for my night out. Now I am not yet a natural at this getting ready bit and I need to lay everything out in a line and work my way down it. I’ve been out without my perfume on and I nearly left The Union without my glasses this time, but I put that down to nerves (or more likely sheer terror).

  Opening the door from the Union and stepping out into the street in daylight (7pm) was terrifying. Who would be at the other side?

  Well quite a few people actually, but no one fell about laughing at me. In fact they just ignored me.

  Its a short walk to Villagios (thankfully) and I made it carefully up the steps and into the restaurant. My heart was beating so fast and all I could see were couples sat eating on both side of me. The waiter came swiftly over and offered me a table in the lower area at the back of the restaurant. Lower area? Oh no!! More steps to descend in these heels.

  I carefully descended them and sat down, thankful to have a menu to hide behind.

  I had only been sat there a minute or so when a lady, who I later found out was called Joanne, came over and asked me if I would care to join them on their table. I hadn’t noticed as I went to my table, but there was a long table with about a dozen people all involved in the Concord and the Fashion Show sat together eating. And they wanted me to join them!! And talk to them!! Real girls like me. Was I dreaming?

  They were all so nice and friendly and everyone introduced themselves and I instantly forgot all their names. I was talking to them and listening to their conversations and I must have looked so stupid because I’m sure I was just sat there with a huge big smile on my face. These people were real.

  Ahem, the waiter coughed again, trying to get my attention. Would I like to order?

  Oh yes of course, I’m in a restaurant.!!

  I played it safe with prawn cocktail and penne pasta. I thought I could manage that without spilling it on my new dress (did I mention I had bought a new dress ? Oh well that’s another story) or smudging my makeup.

  I ate, everyone talked, I listened (and continued to smile).

  People started to drift away upstairs to the Concord meeting and after I had finished I joined them.

  Walking into the meeting room for the first time wasn’t as daunting as Villagios and there were some (now) familiar faces.

  I had hardly got through the door before Mary came up and introduced herself and explained about the Concord and the evening Fashion Show before taking me round the tables and introducing me to another lot of ladies whose names I instantly forgot. These were real ladies I was talking to and I still wondered if I was dreaming.

  But Joanne was there and with her, Nikki and I settled down to chat to them before the Fashion Show started.

  I’m glad it wasn’t too serious a Show, the clothes were great but not my style and it was all light hearted and fun and an hour or so passed by very quickly.

  Then someone mentioned that they were filming a TV drama series about a Transgender couple down at Via Bar (I think that was what they said, I was still in a partial daze and still smiling so I might have misheard) and did anyone want to go down there and see if they could get a part as an extra? Remember the men with radios and cables on the street?

  Well some girls thought it was a good idea and I thought “why not?” so I joined them.

  So I am now walking down a public street in my new dress, in high heels with a group of girls like me laughing and joking about how we could get onto the set of some TV drama. Still not sure if I’m dreaming.

  Anyway, we didn’t manage to achieve our 15 minutes of fame and in the melee of people; just Nikki and I were left outside Via. So she offered to show me around and we went to see the Richmond Tea Rooms and Mollys House. We had a drink in another Bar before going back to the Concord for the last half hour.

  At the end of the night, Mary, Joanne, Nikki and I walked back around The Village before going into The Goose and when they closed we went to Napoleons for a dance.

  Sadly all good things must come to an end and at about 1:30, I slowly walked back to my hotel.

  So that’s how I nearly ended up as an extra on a TV drama series and that’s how I spent my first night in Manchester.

  I can’t thank Nikki, Joanne, Mary (and lots of other people whose names I have forgotten) enough for their kindness and friendship. I will always remember that first time at Manchester, but it definitely won’t be my last.

  See you soon Girls!!