Weymouth Steampunk event proves popular with visitors

Those with an interest in steampunk travelled from far and wide to join residents in soaking up the activities which included a Christmas market, a ball, a pirate's night at the Nothe Fort, a stroll along the promenade in full outfit with the mayor and artistic trails. 

Steampunk is a mixture of the Victorian era’s romantic view of science in literature and elements from the Industrial Revolution in Europe during the 1800s.

Run in conjunction with the Ministry of Steampunk and Weymouth BID, trading as We Are Weymouth, organisers hoped to see 'record numbers' and plenty of people turned out over the weekend including for the walk along the promenade - despite the cooler temperatures.

Dawn Rondeau, We Are Weymouth manager, said: “We had a great turnout at the Nothe Fort and at the ball with everyone in their finery, it was beautifully attended.

“A lot of people come here. We're trying to put this on the map as a place every year to have steampunk events at Christmas.

“We’ve been really excited about this founding steampunk event here in Weymouth and hope to have year on year activities.”

On Friday visitors were treated to a pirate's night at the Nothe Fort alongside an exhibition of creations from Tinker’s workshop, in addition to tours and festive sing-alongs,.

While the Royal Hotel hosted a ball on Saturday evening, with a leisurely stroll on the promenade taking place on Sunday in addition to the market in the town centre.

The festive steampunk event, said to be the first of its kind in the UK, drew fans from across the UK to Weymouth including friends Nicola Williams and Mike Bucker from Huddersfield and Vanessa Bremner from Doncaster, attending their sixth event this year.

Ms Bremner said: “It’s been a great weekend, a lovely place with lovely people. It’s interesting that the whole town knows what is going on because often we go places and people question what we’re doing.”

The trio all said they’d love to attend next year, should further events go ahead, along with Colin Bright, 60, from north Hampshire who enjoyed his time in Dorset.

Mr Bright, who’s steampunk name is the bounty hunter, said: “It’s great everybody I’ve spoken to they've loved it. It’s been great to be down with good friends having a good laugh and talking to locals. It’s nice.”

With its festive theme the event drew Christmas inspired costumes including a steampunk Santa and elf, the latter, Tara Thomas from Shrewsbury said it was ‘a lovely event’ and like many others hoped to come back again with husband Ian.