UK STEAMPUNK WEEKEND - THE ASYLUM, SEPTEMBER

[r_is_for_rachel]

hi, just wondering about tickets for the event -when do they get sent out? ta

[George De Vraic]

Tickets are not being posted out - in common with most conventions you will have a ticket number - this will be emailed to you if you haven't already had it.  Quote this number and your name when you arrive at the Asylum and you will be given your pass to wear. This saves lots of postage which we can spend on features, saves trees being chopped for envelope paper and keeps things safe and easy to manage.

We will be sending out a package of information in August with final timetables, recommended walks for Sunday etc. Your ticket numbers will be reconfirmed as part of this package.

Hope this is OK.

This should help...
George

[r_is_for_rachel]

Tickets are not being posted out - in common with most conventions you will have a ticket number - this will be emailed to you if you haven't already had it.  Quote this number and your name when you arrive at the Asylum and you will be given your pass to wear. This saves lots of postage which we can spend on features, saves trees being chopped for envelope paper and keeps things safe and easy to manage.

We will be sending out a package of information in August with final timetables, recommended walks for Sunday etc. Your ticket numbers will be reconfirmed as part of this package.

Hope this is OK.

thank you very much! didn't mean to be dense or lazy
This should help...
George

[greensteam]

There is something called 'filk' the result of a teleportation accident between a folksinger and a science fiction fan. The basic premise is that you adapt an existing tune to add new, more appropriate lyrics. Filkers travel to Cons with their instruments and songbooks, although they do perform on occasions they generally prefer a late night 'jam' session for their own amusement. There are a number of specialist filk cons over the year. I believe this is what may be in mind.

Looking at one or two threads there are a couple of proto filkers on the forum, writing poetry and lyrics for music, a sort of Steamfilk, so there is the potential and talent there.

Regarding instruments, I have a Theremin, which I will bring that most steampunk of instruments, but any classical instruments, brass instruments, would certainly be acceptable, and penny whistles and Kazoos do indeed fall within this classification although I would like to see someone come up with a steampunk one man band. Regarding our literary GoH Mr Rankin, the Ocarina is appropriate, I even have one in the shape of a sprout which is hideously appropriate.

I think you might be thinking of Thomas Truax: he is indeed a one man band, with all his own extraordinary instruments. Lots of fun and certainly punky, although sadly none are steam driven.

[greensteam]

The Major tells me that there is no formal programme for the Sunday. However, i would quite like some events on as I am not that interested in Lincoln itself. As the Scottish contingent will probably arrive dead late on the Friday I fear we will miss some of the good entertainment laid on then, so some extra stuff on the Sunday before the trek north, would be good.

I know folks will be sleeping it off after the Ball, but surely some fairly loosely organised stuff might be possible? I was wondering about skills sharing session - essentially like live Instructables? Or some of that Filking someone was mentioning above?

[TimeTinker]

Hello All,

Back from Portsmouth - sunburned and exhausted after helping run a big pirate festival for a friend.

Sunday at the Asylum: It is Heritage Weekend so the museums and attraction of the city will be open with free admission. We are aiming to produce a guided walk of the city too. Informtation on this will be in the e-package which will be sent out closer to the event.

I will admit that we are having some big problems with the council. You go to great lengths to talk to them and find someone who says lots of lovely things to you and is very supportive. You ask them to help you move things on and they say - fine, I'll sort that. Call me again in a couple of weeks but of course nothing gets done.  We are still trying desperately to sort some attractions out in the park - put on a band, a punch and judy man, perhaps some barrel organs and a steam engine or two.  We are basically offering a set of free attractions for the public but it is getting nowhere.  As you might guess though I do not lie down and give up easily so I will continue to pursue this.

There are a number of tea rooms, pubs and similar establishments which are perfect for Sunday lunch. We would like to encourage groups to arrange to meet in certain hostleries etc for luncheon.  We can help with facilitating and booking these.  If there are a group of you who would like to earmark a venue then please get in touch. I can also help with venues for such things as live instructables and filking.  I have had a couple of volunteers from Lincoln University to help with on the ground recces etc so thanks to them we can manage things like this and I still get to do some real work too! (I am currently working on a doc about Caligula of all people).

Well it's all good fun. Best wishes to all.

Tinker

PS Dr Q - you would never dream of doing anything like filk would you? (How little they know!!!)

[Herr Döktor]

Well done, TT! Carry on the good work, I'm sure we'll all stand you a pint come the saturday night!

PS- Good luck with 'Little Boots', I hope it's not going to be too graphic...

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Well done, TT! Carry on the good work, I'm sure we'll all stand you a pint come the saturday night!

PS- Good luck with 'Little Boots', I hope it's not going to be too graphic...

450 pints on one evening! We do not want to kill the man! We need him for the Sunday.

I can probably help with the Council, I used to draft land use licences for circuses and fairs when the visited East Yorkshire. The problem immediately is local govt elections and the Euro elections, this will suck out a lot of time and attention from the conveyancing, licensing and heritage officers you need to know. The good news though is that this should be decisions at officer level, (except licensing which will be a starutory board)you are not therefore dependent upon the Council/Cabinet cycle. They should have their scheme of delegation for officers online I will have a look online tonight. If The Major can drop me a line over the particular problems he is getting I can probably suggest a shortcut,it what I do for a living.

[TimeTinker]

Greetings all,

I suspect that I will be far too busy and trying too hard to keep things going to accept much in the way of beverages at The Asylum but the good will is very much appreciated.

My main problem with the council Peter is that the officers don't seem to do what they say they will.  I have made innumerable phone calls and sent emails to different people. On the phone they always make the right noises and say the right things but they never actually deliver on what they say they will (e.g. email me with contact details for people etc)  I have tried working through their Tourism Department, Parks and Leisure, Arts Development, Business Development and their Press Office.  They have struck me as being less than helpful, don't reply to emails and don't return calls.  I am honestly getting to the point where I am thinking "sod 'em" and forget the City and what I wanted to offer to Lincoln as thanks for having us and I am now just going to concentrate on us being a "Private Event" that just happens to be in Lincoln.

I have heard lots of reasons for this apathy - restructuring and elections being the main ones but if they want to encourage trade into the city they should at least write the odd reply to an email even if it's just - I'm sorry but I can't help.

Nevertheless the event is proceeding well and I think we have all of the necessary permissiones etc in place. I just need to make a courtesy call on the Police but aim to do that on my next recce.

Looking forward to it.

Tinker

[Dr cornelius quack]

Honestly Major,

I sometimes think you expect too much.

Wanting Local Government officials to do what they say they are going to do?

It plays havoc with the important job of calculating how much 'Flexi-time' they've clocked up this month.

Dr. C(ynical) Quack.

[Sir A Poiselamppe]

Honestly Major,

I sometimes think you expect too much.

Wanting Local Government officials to do what they say they are going to do?

It plays havoc with the important job of calculating how much 'Flexi-time' they've clocked up this month.

Dr. C(ynical) Quack.

Trouble is that the system used to calculate Flexi, breaks down frequently so they are probably waiting for the tech support to reset the system before they can officially log on and do some work... which would include you e-mail I suppose.....

good thing about their e mail addresses is that they are always formatted the same

i.e christian name.surname@lincoln.gov.uk so as long as you know there name you can e-mail them...

        Urgent media within 30mins
        Interview requests dealt within 24 hours.
       Non-Urgent enquires are to whatever deadline requested.

one should remind them of this from this page.....

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/Info_page_two_pic_2_det.asp?art_id=7716&sec_id=3479

Doubtless this is like telling my mother to suck eggs, thought it might help though... I work for Southwark council, so can sympathise with your frustrations.....

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

I do not blame you, if you got this degree of runaround at any if the Councils I have worked for someone would be for the high jump. Part of the problem may be that you came in too late in the annual budget cycle, money and officers already committed to other projects. If so they should at least let you know things are too late within a reasonable time of your request, so that you can make other arrangements this year, and perhaps plot this into next years budget. All they are doing is alienating repeat business.

However, you did try to open this up to the public, which needs to be applauded, but there is a freedom in running a closed private event, so what you lose on the swings you gain the roundabouts.

[TimeTinker]

Yes it is pigging frustrating - I wasn't even asking for anything other than information for the most part. I wasn't asking for funding, time, effort or publicity but every officer I spoke to had a cynical tone about "what are these guys after?".  Has our society really got to the point that we can't open up some features because we were feeling public spirited?  I was offering to put a band on in the park and a Punch and Judy Show - before anybody says - I do this sort of thing all the time for other Boroughs e.g. Kettering in Northants, have pre written risk assessments, emergency action plans and £5million PLI. The difference is Kettering pays me to do it when they want a period function.

Any way sod 'em. Let's see how things pan out. I did work as an LGO in my dim and distant past so I have an idea of how things work I just hoped that in these days of "accountability" people might actually do their jobs or at least pretend to.  Funny- everyone from Lincoln I have spoken to has said Lincoln Council are sh#t.

A frustrated but undaunted and ever determined Tinker.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Try anything essential you need as information as a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

[Matthias Gladstone]

I feel at this juncture the following statement is appropriate:
"Non Illigiti Carborundum"
I'll let you translate.
-Matt

[TimeTinker]

Thank you Matt - is such a sentiment in latin raising or lowering the tone? I must consult my guide to etiquette

[Cptn Humbly Hartley Wells]

Thats a wonderful sounding idea, and I will do my utmost to attend this glorious function. However my choice of employ since my ship was shot down, may well preclude me from the festivities; I work long hours for a 21st century electric tinkering company with products that are just preposterous.
However, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I will sabotage company plans accordingly.
With Kindest Regards,
Captain Humbly Hartley Wells esq

[TimeTinker]

Welcome Captain,

The event's information is to be found at http://steampunk.synthasite.com. We hope you can join us there.

Tinker

[Capt. Dirigible]

May I suggest you send an invitation to Impero London who have recently started  making excellent Steampunk leather wear. I bought my spendid leather coat from them and they were unaware of the Asylum Convivial. They said they would look it up on Google and offer to have a stall in the traders hall. I don't see their name in the list of traders already confirmed so if they aren't already on board you really should email them and ask them to come along..you won't be disappointed, I promise!

Here's a small selection of the type of stuff they make.

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Spoiler (click to show/hide)

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[TimeTinker]

Hello Captain,

As it happens we have just received an enquiry from Impero and whilst I too have admired their garments we are unfortunately victims of our own success and don't currently have space to fit them in.  I am investigating the possibility of more space however and hope to be able to give them a definitive reply shortly.

Tinker

[Capt. Dirigible]

Hello Captain,

As it happens we have just received an enquiry from Impero and whilst I too have admired their garments we are unfortunately victims of our own success and don't currently have space to fit them in.  I am investigating the possibility of more space however and hope to be able to give them a definitive reply shortly.

Tinker

Oh that's a shame! I sincerely hope you can find room for them. Their clothes are to die for.

[TimeTinker]

I will try my utmost but we do already have a waiting list of potential traders and they do want a bigger pitch than our basic set up which means in effect I have to exclude two others in order to include them. (Oh the trials of trying to be fair, open and honest!)

Changing tack slightly - My personal opinion and not something which has as yet been accepted as policy is that traders at The Asylum and subsequent events should ideally be fellow steampunks and not just traders who see a ripe market. (The exception to this rule would be merchants we have specifically invited to try and inform them of the existence of steampunk e.g. our tea merchant).  I would like to see traders getting invloved in the rest of the event etc and I have been disappointed to find one or two just want to attend the trade part of the Saturday and not be involved or contribute anywhere else. As many of you know I do trade myself but I hope people accept that I consider myself a steampunk first and my trading is an adjunct to that and I am not a trader who just wants to hit the steampunk market.  I invite comments on this topic.

For the sake of clarity this is not aimed at Impero so I really should have made it two posts but I don't want to be post whoring now do I.

[Capt. Dirigible]

I will try my utmost but we do already have a waiting list of potential traders and they do want a bigger pitch than our basic set up which means in effect I have to exclude two others in order to include them. (Oh the trials of trying to be fair, open and honest!)

Changing tack slightly - My personal opinion and not something which has as yet been accepted as policy is that traders at The Asylum and subsequent events should ideally be fellow steampunks and not just traders who see a ripe market. (The exception to this rule would be merchants we have specifically invited to try and inform them of the existence of steampunk e.g. our tea merchant).  I would like to see traders getting invloved in the rest of the event etc and I have been disappointed to find one or two just want to attend the trade part of the Saturday and not be involved or contribute anywhere else. As many of you know I do trade myself but I hope people accept that I consider myself a steampunk first and my trading is an adjunct to that and I am not a trader who just wants to hit the steampunk market.  I invite comments on this topic.

For the sake of clarity this is not aimed at Impero so I really should have made it two posts but I don't want to be post whoring now do I.

Tinker,

I know you stressed that you weren't aiming your comments specifically at Impero, but in their defence, Tilly and Mumza (who are effectively 'Impero') were at the Whitby Goth weekend and were very well recieved by the goth and steampunk fans in attendance. They both joined in with a lot of the weekends activities and when I bought my coat from them and was chatting about Asylum Tilly made it clear she was really keen  on the Steampunk 'thing' and wanted to make an effort to fit in with the weekends activities as well as promote her wares.

My partner and I are only recently into the Steampunk scene ourselves (having been active members of the London Vampyre Group for a decade or more). Being new to these sort of groups takes time to get the appropriate clothing and accessories and familiarise oneself with the associated books, films, clothing style etc. so anyone new to the scene should be given a bit of leeway.
I agree that at many conventions  one will see the same traders who simply alter they wares slightly (or only bring certain stock) to appeal to the crowd in question but everyone has to start somewhere and although it would be nice to have an all steampunk traders hall a bit of diversity amongst them can be a good thing. And at the end of the day..steampunk or no..everyone has to make a living.

[TimeTinker]

Captain Dirigible

I specifically made a point of saying I was not talking about Impero but was talking about other traders.  I was hoping to have a reasoned discussion about that point so that I could in all fairness prioritise certain traders (e.g. Impero) over others who might have applied earlier and have kit that on the surface was steampunk but are not actively part of the scene.  I knew from Impero's enquiry that they were interested in steampunk itself rather than just trading and why I made my statement that this was NOT directed at them. Indeed I made it clear here and in my mail to them that I liked their products very much indeed and had been covetting a coat myself.  They in fact offered me a substantial discount on a garment as an "incentive" (their word) to give them a pitch. Of course in honesty I could not take them up on that.

I am afraid that by leaping to their defence you have done them a bit of a disservice since I have now had to be very frank about my thought processes and will now have to be scrupulously fair on the order of bookings.

I am very sorry about this.  I strive very hard indeed to make the Asylum and indeed all of my actions in this steampunk world as open and fair as I can. Indeed I am a vociferous advocate of Brass Goggles and steampunk being a bastion of good manners and polite behaviour. Sure I could simply have said Impero could trade and dropped someone else but this would have been unfair, impolite and down right unpleasant.  I stopped running events like this some years ago because you get an awful lot of flak from people who can only see their own agenda and not the bigger picture. It is unpleasant and personally distressing.  I put my head above the parapet and started the Asylum because we wanted it as a community and someone needed to stand up and get things rolling. I am not being paid and the only benefit I have is my own trade stand is number 1 on the list.  I do not appreciate the inference that I am being unfair or unhelpful.

This event was launched on 26th February.  There have been three months of traders booking.  I was at Whitby promoting the event and canvassing Traders. It is a shame I did not see or meet Tilly and Mumtaz there as I would certainly have invited them.  Steampunk was a major feature at Whitby this year and the community was there in force. Unfortunately from Whitby we had the remaining trade spaces fill. Impero were just a bit late and until someone does arrange a time machine for me there is very little I can do about that.

I know that in running an event like this you can never please all of the people all of the time and I have broad enough shoulders to let it run off most of the time. I DO NOT WANT to see the Asylum go the way of other events with bitching, sniping, complaining and wingeing. (Just look at the absolute state Whitby is in at the moment) It is meant to be our celebration of Steampunk and I will fight tooth and nail to preserve it as such.

I hope that this does not cause any problems in any way for Impero nor would I want it to colour any future relationship. I am trying (as people know) to secure more space for traders and (at traders' request) find a way to allow them to trade on Sunday too and make the market open to the general public to increase the customer base.  If I am successful in these negotiations with venues and the council then I would be in the perfect position to offer all of the traders on the waiting list places.  

I apologise if I have seemed at all aggressive in my response to you, that was not my intention, merely transparency and open fairness; but you certainly managed to annoy me (inadvertently I am sure) and Tilly's comment of "Should we start a protest to get me a trade space - I think Tinker might not be so impressed!" was as bad if not worse (even with the smiley face)

You are all new to Steampunk but it is not really the way we do things here.  I apologise for doing this openly rather than in a pm but it is important that people see I am being fair.

I hope we can enjoy a beer and leave this all behind us when we get to meet.  

John (Tinker)

I have edited this post a few minutes after initial posting because I spotted a couple of spelling mistakes and a missing apostrophe

[Llrael]

Woot! My mother and I will be in attendance! We're only coming up for the Saturday, due to other commitments around that time, but we're looking forward to it!
Now, I have three months to make some clothes... better get started!