Julia Shaw is reminiscing about the time she caused outrage by cheating during the tea-dunking duel at Lincoln’s Asylum Steampunk Festival.
She sneaked in a Lotus Biscoff biscuit to dip in her brew when the rules clearly state (apparently) that competitors are only allowed to use standard malted milks.
“Somebody spotted it and shouted ‘that’s an illegal biscuit, quick get her!’” the 34-year-old catering assistant laughs. “I wanted to win and I didn’t care if I had to cheat. I also just wanted to see how many people I could rile up.”
What happened? She was disqualified and the prize – a free biscuit – went to someone else.
Yet win or lose, this bizarre tradition might just capture something of the spirit of what is the planet’s largest and longest-running steampunk event: its fun, its quirkiness and its sense of no taking anything too seriously.
Now, the four-day extravaganza – a celebration of Victorian sci-fi art, fashion and culture – will return to the city at the end of this month.
Across four colourful days, an estimated 100,000 people will travel from across the country to experience the magic of a city transformed into what feels like a giant scene from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
Held around the Cathedral Quarter, the event – now in its 16th year – is organised by the Ministry of Steampunk, a Sheffield-based collective of enthusiasts who originally formed out of a frustration at the lack of steampunk events in the UK. Street parades, live music, tea parties and art exhibitions are all among the vents that take place both in the streets and in numerous venues.
Shaw herself lives in Lincoln and first attended the festival in 2013 to meet new people. She’s been returning ever since. “I’ve made some of my best friends through Steampunk,” she says.
As a sucker for sewing, alterations and adding a cheeky charm to any outfit, the University of Lincoln graduate was drawn to the Steampunk style where creative freedom is at the heart of everything.
Traditionally the Steampunk style is taking the Victorian-based outfits and adding sci-fi gadgets, to create an outfit that might have looked how a Victorian perceived the future. Today, however, enthusiasts are encouraged to express themselves in any way they fancy, as long as it’s different and self-expressive.
“It’s very much an anything goes culture,” says Julia. “It’s having the freedom to express yourself 100 per cent.”
This is something that recently retired couple Wendy (AKA St Georges Lass) and Richard Brown (ScottCheg) agree with. Aged 60, the pair embarked on their own steampunk journey in 2022.
Their first outfits for the festival included nothing more spectacular than a top hat, pimped-up waistcoat and corset. Now, four years on, the couple – also from Lincoln – have a whole room in their house designated to their steampunk attire.
“It’s just changed our lives amazingly,” says Wendy. “You only have to show up once to realise how interesting it is and how much of a buzz you get from it.”
Their retirement is now packed with attending steampunk events around the UK, designing their outfits, and encouraging others to join the community. I can confidently say that they are very convincing.
Despite their steampunk-packed calendar, however, the Lincoln festival remains their favourite. “It’s just unique, with the castle and the cathedral forming the backdrop,” says Richard. “We go for the social aspect, where we see our friends, have a beer and have a good laugh.”
Wendy nods along at this. “It’s just this feel-good factor. I would say to anyone if you are feeling down, go up there on the weekend because seriously you are going to have so much fun.”
Just maybe don’t try and cheat at the tea-dunking contest.
- The Asylum Steampunk Festival takes Thursday August 27 to Monday August 31.
