The Crossness Steampunk Convivial

What happens when my mother travels 6,000 miles to visit us? We dress her up in a hard hat and high-vis jacket and wander around a sewage plant.

Okay, this definitely needs more explanation.

In 1865, a sewage pumping station was opened on the south bank of the River Thames, not far from Abbey Wood.

Built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the Romanesque-style building is incredibly beautiful, with amazing details both inside and out. It is a Grade 1 Listed Industrial Building.

Not only is the ornate building lovely to look at – especially for something with a primary purpose of dealing with sewage – but it also contains some impressive equipment.

There are four 52-ton flywheels – each one was used to operate a 47-ton beam that created the pumping action.

Some equipment was upgraded during the station’s operational lifespan, but when the new sewerage plant opened in the mid-1950s, the Victorian building was abandoned and most of what it contained was left to be neglected or vandalised.

Then in the 1980s, a team started work to restore the plant, attempting to bring the historic building back to its original glory.

Over the last 30 years, a team of volunteers has carried out extensive work on the machinery and architectural features – and all the work has been funded entirely through donations. This, combined with the intricacies and terrible condition of the building means that, while sections look spectacular, a lot of work is still required.

About one-quarter of the pumping plant has been restored – maybe a little bit more – and one of the pumps is actually in working order again.

I like the effect that focussing on restoring one section has created. If you stand at one end of the building, you get a very clear before-and-after visual.

Since the interior is mostly symmetrical, it’s pretty easy to find the restored or not-restored counterpart of whatever you are looking at.

For example, the big tanks

The staircases

The columns

Even the decorative ironwork

The central Octagon is an impressive display of cast iron.

But even the smallest details were beautiful – I loved this old door latch.

Okay, so it’s an amazing building and all, but what was I doing there? And why did I drag my family along?

Well, it was time for the first annual Crossness Steampunk Convivial.

This new event not only offered the opportunity to explore the Victorian building – which I’ve wanted to do for some time – but it added some extra entertainment too.

Of course the steampunk crowd has an offbeat idea of entertainment. For example, there was tea-duelling, which we sadly missed. There was also dancing

An accordion band

Umbrella fencing

And even a Tesla coil demonstration – the guy was able to play tunes on the coils. Hearing Yellow Submarine and Rule Britannia played on a Tesla coil was a surreal experience.

A space has also been set aside to create a museum, of sorts. There are a number of old pumps on display – most, if not all, in working order.

One operates a teapot fountain, which fit in very well with the day’s steampunk theme.

Of course, what sewage-based museum would be complete without a few historic loos?

The design of the second set was particularly impressive.

They just don’t make loos like this today. And look at the names on them! The “Deluge”

And “Le Symphonic” – this had me giggling like a child.

And finally, the infamous John Crapper’s … um … crapper.

As we headed out, we spotted this steampunker’s car. I loved the notice in the window that alerted passers-by that it’s not an abandoned vehicle.

The Crossness Steampunk Convivial is an annual event, but the historic pumping station is open regularly for tours – find out more on the Crossness Engines website.

Getting there is relatively easy if you’re driving – the entrance is the same as that of the modern sewage treatment plant.

If you’re arriving on foot or bicycle however, it’s probably best to use the Thames Cycle Path entrance. We didn’t realise this on our way there and it was a bit of a hike from Abbey Wood to the entrance of the modern site.

Plus, when we finally got to the sewage works, we had to put on all the safety gear to trek across the site. We left via the cycle path, which is much closer to the old building, and it wasn’t too long of a walk to the nearest bus stop on the A2016.

---

Male impotence arrives when a man is unable to achieve correct ejaculation and is unable to get just the right erection and sometimes even viagra samples for sale both can occur. If you are away from your trusted female for few weeks or months, you will suffer from PE. cheap viagra order Additionally, the vast majority of the individuals are asked to take bath in hot water. cipla cialis italia DOSING : This product may be taken with full large online cialis glass of water for its faster dissolution into the blood.