Hat’s off

Fife postwoman Violet Shears was introduced to a group of ‘steampunk’ enthusiasts by a colleague and fellow Springboard member on Facebook.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.

Although its literary origins are sometimes associated with the cyberpunk genre, steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century British Victorian era or the American ‘Wild West’, in a future, during which steam power has maintained mainstream usage, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power.

‘When I was introduced to the 'Steampunk Ink & Blot Epistolarians’ group on Facebook by a fellow postwoman, I discovered an amazing bunch who adore Royal Mail employees and the work that we do,’ said Violet.

On the group’s Facebook page, they describe themselves as a group who aim to practice the old-fashioned Victorian/Edwardian pastime of writing 'snail mail' to one another - in other words we are a pen-pal network. We have a love of steampunk in common; although we share our lives in general and interest in other postal-related crafts.’

‘Steampunk postmistress, and group head, Susannah Barnett (pictured) conducts a team of fabulous letter-writing costumed creatives on Facebook. As a group, we collect Royal Mail memorabilia and practise calligraphy, doing everything we can to promote the business of writing and posting letters in every manner imaginable.

‘It’s always a pleasure to exchange cards and gifts by post. Hats off to a truly lovely group of amazing people who love communicating in the new, old-fashioned way.’

Susannah gathers together creative writers via the internet. ‘I could happily write letters all day,’ she said. ‘Letters, cards, creative ideas and meetings are shared between the members of the Steampunk Ink and Blot Epistolarians.

‘This amazing Facebook group has been flowing with written postal swaps since January 2017.’