What Steampunk Means To Me

Crawford - "Masking up is fun, especially when it involves a creative costume the likes of which can only be found at a Steampunk event. However, for my fellow neurodivergents, masking is exhausting, involving a massive amount of energy, thought and pain. To be able to unmask by wearing a mask, sounds contradictory but for me, Steampunk is exactly that! It is a safe space to undo the suffocating corset of societal expectations; to be whoever you want to be – to express the hidden 'true you’. I find Steampunk to be a melting pot of diverse people who would not otherwise connect, sharing life, laughing and supporting each other in a world of fun, warmth, and truly wonderful people."

Linda & Ian - "Steampunk brings many of our favourite things together. A big part of the fun is meeting friends old and new who share our passion for creativity, imagination and wearing wonderful outfits at events and gatherings. We also love exploring new locations, whether it's organised festivals, historic places or one-day meet ups at quirky venues where we can meet fellow 'steamers' to laugh and socialise with. Each adventure offers amazing photo opportunities, and we never miss a chance to capture the fantastic moments we experience in our fabulous Steampunk gear. Steampunk gives us a joyful escape with a vibrant community that continues to inspire and create wonderful memories."

Richard & Wendy - "Our amazing Steampunk journey has allowed us to meet like-minded people whilst making some terrific and splendid new friends along the way. We have fun-filled weekends with kindred spirits who share a passion for craftsmanship, storytelling and socialising, which is what it’s all about for us. We spend many weekends in amazing places up and down the UK, like Lincoln, the capital of all things Steampunk, Haworth, Hebden Bridge, Whitby, Blists Hill, Papplewick, and Morecombe, among many others. The shared excitement and collaboration make the world of steampunk a magical experience for us, turning strangers into lifelong friends."

John - "I am an electronics engineer who has created numerous robots and various silly inventions. Steampunk affords me the opportunity to devise new contraptions and, in essence, to rediscover the joy of play. I delight in its broad scope for invention—be it goggles, ornate 'metal' arms, elaborate backpacks, or countless other expressions of creativity. It offers not merely the chance to craft, but also to embody diverse characters, whilst engaging with hundreds of kindred spirits from across the globe. In this way, Steampunk becomes both an artistic outlet and a vibrant, ever-evolving community."

Captain Skirmish - "I got interested in steampunk around 2010 and wanted to try steampunk poetry - I'd been writing in a gothic/victorian style since the mid 1980s. By 2013 I'd built a collection, and first performed at the Asylum festival in 2015. I've joined steampunk social groups (and co-founded one), made many good friends, and am now performing music too. Steampunk is a thing of beauty, a place of camaraderie and good-natured revelry. The opportunity to put on a hat and become someone else for a while. A chance to smile, to laugh, to raise a glass. It's all this and so much more. And we're all in it together, which is glorious. That's what steampunk means to me."

Helena - "From a young age, I was drawn to dress-up, crafts, and all things fantasy. My style evolved to embrace alternatives, from 'emo' to rockabilly to vintage. I've always felt a bit random and unique, but creating personas helps me feel more confident. The world of steampunk truly got me. It's a celebration of the Victorian era's love for both fairies and sci-fi dreams, and a way to honour their creations and discoveries. I've attended events alone and never felt lonely, thanks to the wonderfully welcoming community."