A Walk Through Steampunk History - Steampunk Convivials

I recently asked a new friend from England, Ben Henderson, about a new "Steampunk Convivial" that he is putting on near New Malden, UK.  New Malden is a small town and shopping centre in the south-western London suburbs, mostly within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and partly in the London Borough of Merton, and is situated 9.4 miles (15.1 km) from Charing Cross.

Ben gave me the following information about his new event:

I am putting on this event that spans three boroughs and four venues pretty much single handed in an attempt to "steampunk a bus route" (that's my hidden agenda). I am attempting to bring local pubs, and community organisations together in order to promote local trade, historical literature, and create an excuse for a steampunk procession through the three boroughs and start spreading politeness and Very Silly Fun throughout the land.  [the three boroughs are EPSOM, SUTTON & KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES, UK]

Ben also asked me to tell my readers that The Wimbledon Guardian recently said the following about it:

If you’re looking for something a little different, then look no further than the annual Steampunk Convivial later this month. A corseted collection of ‘steampunk’ enthusiasts are set to descend for a day of events celebrating ‘steampunk’, a movement based loosely around science fiction of the Victorian period by authors such as Jules Verne and HG Wells.

Steampunk enthusiasts are expected to gather from across Sutton, Kingston and Epsom dressed in corsets, top hats, waistcoats and goggles typical of their style this Saturday, February 25.

The day will start at 10 am with a history walk through The Avenue in Worcester Park, Epsom which is the road that HG Wells lived in when he wrote The Time Machine, hosted by local historian Clive Popkins.

The group will then move to the HG Wells pub in North Cheam at 11am for food, drink and a chat.

An afternoon event will take place at The Royal Oak in New Malden from 2pm with a mini market full of handmade steampunk items for sale, a shadow puppet workshop, tea-dueling (a traditional steampunk sport), and snail racing (snails permitting).

Steampunk artists Tom Slatter and Moth with eclectic all girl band Smiling Knife and Dick Philpot will finish the day at The Royal Oak with music from 7 to 12pm.

Tickets for the whole event are £5.

Meet at The Avenue Worcester Park; 10am; for the HG Wells history walk.
Then. it's lunch at the HG Wells Pub, Cheam Common Road, Worcester Park; from noon.

Then head to The Royal Oak, Coombe Rd, New Malden; from 2pm to Midnight

For more information and tickets visit www.harpsfest.com

Steampunk Convivial; The Avenue Worcester Park; 10am; HG Wells Pub, Cheam Common Road, Worcester Park; 11am; The Royal Oak, Coombe Rd, New Malden; 2 to 12pm; Saturday, February 25; £5; harpsfest.com