The Victorian Steampunk Society Presents:

A Splendid Steampunk New Year

Mecure Leicester The Grand Hotel30th December to 2nd January

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A Splendid Steampunk New Year ~ a guide to the festivities

THANK YOU for booking to join the Victorian Steampunk Society for a unique celebration of the New Year.

WE have worked with the Grand Hotel to provide a full package of premier rooms, award-winning

food, sumptuous surroundings and a sackfull of splendid activities for you to enjoy.

STAYING in the hotel means you have the choice to participate in the weekend’s activities or just relax in

your own room, or one of the recently refurbished bars, lounges, restaurants or the gym.

IN this guide you will find details of what is on offer. This will not be a finite list, as we find many things

happen on the spur of the moment and people will create their own entertainment, that you may also enjoy.

PLEASE do get involved before the event if you have any ideas, suggestions or things you would like to offer

the group. We want this to be a relaxing and immersive experience that is steered by you.

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12:00 – 18:00Alexandra SuiteGames Room

Please feel free to bring along games along to share with others.

Whether boardgames, tabletop or cards, anything goes but obviously, a steampunk theme is best.

Naturally we will be supplying and leading some too.

This space will be dedicated to relaxed social fun throughout the weekend.

12:00 – 14:30Meet on the Belgrave Road at Anokhi House of Sarees (see map)Sari Workshop & Fabric Shopping

Join Lady M for a demonstration from Anokhi House of Sarees and some fun shopping for Indian fabrics.

Anokhi specializes and distributes high-quality, luxury sarees, wedding lenghas, suits, menswear, childrenswear and accessories.

There will also be a trip to a very special sweet shop and a fashion show at top Asian Designer Arinder Bhullar’s new shop (she makes custom outfits to order!)

15:00 – 17:00 Charnwood SuiteNERF Gun Modification

An opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade and discover how you take a luminous plastic foam dart toy and create the ultimate, yet safe, Steampunk weapon.

Feel free to bring your own weapon to modify (nudge, nudge, wink, wink… you didn’t hear it from me right, but there may be some shoot outs ’appenin’ as well Guv!)

Friday, 30th December 2016

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Pay & Display parking can be found in Golden Mile Car Park, (Postcode: LE4 5HD)

on MacDonald Road (one way), opposite Anokhi House of Sarees.

Anokhi HouseOf Sarees

car park

17:00 – 19:00 Tudor SuiteFrock Froth

Join Lady Elsie for a session dedicated to costume porn!

Delight over designs, discover new patterns, ask questions, give opinions and generally froth over with excitement at frocks (other garments maybe included).

19:00 – 21:00 (any time between)Marco’s RestaurantDinner in Marco’s

You are free to enjoy dinner at your leisure. Included in your package is a three course award winning dinner from the amazing Marco Pierre White.You will be able to choose from a set three course menu, but please do speak with the team if you have any dietary requirements, they are all happy to help. Dinner is free seating, but you may need to wait if the restaurant is full.

21:00 – 23:00Alexandra SuiteAfter Dinner Games

Join us for some polite conversation and some fun games with new friends.

21:00 and 22:00 Meet in receptionA Walk with the Spirits

Would you like to know more about the historic City of Leicester? Then this is probably NOT the tour for you!

If, however, you would like to wrap up warm and head out to discover stunning architecture, some spooky stories and a gin or two to keep you going, then please join Count Rostov and Lady M for a walk on the not-so-wild side (he promises not to tell any jokes!).

We will be hosting two walks to manage numbers.

This session is weather dependant.

Friday, 30th December 2016

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08:00 – 10:00 (any time between)Marco’s RestaurantBreakfast in Marco’s

Take a seat in Marco’s for a leisurely breakfast.

10:00 – 16:00Richard III Visitor Centre / CathedralA Trip to the Richard III Visitor Centre & Cathedral

We have put you on the guest list, so if you would like to look around the Richard III Visitor Centre at your leisure during the day, it is situated just a five-minute walk from the hotel.

We suggest that you return via the Cathedral, to see where Richard was reinterred and Gelato Village, for the best gelato in the world!

11:00 – 13:00Alexandra SuiteMajor Tinker’s War Games

Head to the command headquarters in the Tower of London.

You are charged with trying to fight off the Martian invasion of Earth… pip pip!

11:00 – 13:00 Tudor SuiteGin & Cheese Pairing

A session to discover the delights of gin and some local cheeses.

This session will introduce you to some very different gins and a new way to enjoy cheese!

13:00 – 15:00Charnwood Suite Tea Duelling Masterclass

Drop in to discover the rules of the most extreme of Steampunk sports.

Join the Tiffin Mistress for a national competition heat and then try your hand (or underhand) at some dastardly Flashman Roolz Tea Duelling.

Saturday, 31st December 2016

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15:00 – 17:00Alexandra Suite Hysterical/Waltz Dance Workshop

A session to get you in the mood for an evening of dancing until dawn.

Lady Elsie will lead the way in an afternoon of guaranteed hilarity, putting your left foot in and shaking everything about.

16:00 – 18:00Charnwood SuiteModern Major’s General Workshop

Try your hand at casting, moulding and making props from some new and exciting

methods and products; polymorph, silicon, resins, Eva and worbla.

– If that makes any sense, this is the session for you…

– And if it doesn’t make any sense, come along and discover something new to take home to impress family and friends!)

16:00 – 18:00Tudor SuiteMake a Patchwork Drawstring Bag

Drop in to try your hand at creating something special to go with your Gala Dinner Outfit (chaps welcome too!)

Please bring any fabrics you would like incorporated.

Saturday, 31st December 2016

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New Year’s Eve Gala Dinnerin the King’s Hall

k19:00 (cash bar) 20:00 (dinner)

It’s here, the moment you have all been waiting for. Dress to impress and join us in the stunning King’s Hall for a night of drinking, dining and dancing.

Salmon gravlax potato & dill salad, dressed watercress

Chicken liver parfait, pancetta wrapped baked fig maple dressing, toasted walnut bread

Beetroot & butternut squash salad toasted hazelnuts, bramble dressing (v)

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Roast fillet of beef potato Dauphinoise, honey glazed root vegetables,

buttered kale, red wine & shallot

Grilled fillet of turbot creamed spinach, herb potato puree, lemon & caper butter

Roasted vegetable & goats’ cheese Wellington tarragon cream sauce (v)

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Lemon meringue posset, glazed lemon tart, white chocolate shortbread

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Selection of British cheeses, crackers, celery, grapes & chutney

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Coffee & petits fours

10:00 – 12:00 Marco’s RestaurantNew Year’s Day Brunch & Tea Duelling Championships

To slowly welcome you into the New Year, a late and leisurely brunch will culminate in the first 2017 national competition round of Tea Duelling… steady hands required!

12:00 – 13:30 Charnwood Suite Rostov’s Radio Comedy Workshop

This is a relaxed fun activity.

Just come along and be entertained, or the more adventurous of you can have a go at helping to perform some of Rostov’s classic comedy scripts from the past seven years of radio plays and live performances.

Try out your ‘funny’ voice, take the leap and perform or just enjoy the fun.

12:00 – 14:00 Tudor Suite Boned Bodice Making Workshop

Lady Elsie will introduce you to an easy way to pattern and create a boned bodice.

Novice and experienced makers are welcome, in this fool proof session for all to enjoy.

15:00 – 17:00 Charnwood Suite Bartitsu Demonstration & Workshop

Major Tinker knows a thing or two about the art form known as Bartitsu. Bartitsu is an eclectic martial art and self-defence method originally developed in England during the years 1898–1902.

In 1903, it was immortalised (as “baritsu”) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes mystery stories.

Although dormant throughout most of the 20th century, Bartitsu has been experiencing a revival since 2002.

Sunday, 1st January 2017

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16:00 – 18:00 Tudor SuiteJewellery Making

Drop in to create a special piece for you to wear this evening.

Choose a brooch, hat pin, necklace or earrings. We will provide all you need to make a one-off item, as well as help and advice.

19:00 (drinks) 19:30 (dinner) 21:00 (screening - time TBC)King’s HallSherlock Evening

A buffet dinner in the King’s Hall with a very special night of entertainment… you just have to discover who did it!

Yes, we shall be asking you to solve a murder mystery along the way, with a screening of the new Sherlock episode to complete the evening.

Sunday, 1st January 2017

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SHERLOCK

08:00 – 10:00 (any time between)Marco’s RestaurantBreakfast in Marco’s

Take a seat in Marco’s for a leisurely breakfast.

Departure with Optional Train Journey

It is now time to check out and depart the hotel.

You are invited to join some of the party for a ride on a steam train at Great Central Railway.

The Leicester North station is a 10-minute drive from the hotel and the train departs to Loughborough at 11:00 and 12:00 (train tickets are not included in the NYE package).

Monday, 2nd January 2017

We will be scheduling some special chats and conversations too, throughout the weekend,

on topics pertinent to Steampunks.

We also have some participants who have kindly volunteered to lead features which

will be advertised at the event.

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Location

How to get to the Hotel

The Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel is located in Leicester City Centre, 26 miles from East Midlands Airport and 800 metres from St Margaret’s Bus Station and Leicester Railway Station, with direct London services.

Highcross Shopping Centre and many renowned Asian restaurants on the London Road are all within half a mile (800m).

Arriving By Train:Leicester Railway Station - 800m

• Turn right out of the Railway Station and continue down London Road.

• Cross the road at the traffic lights and continue down Granby Street.

• The Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel is 350 metres on the left hand side.

Arriving By Bus:St Margaret’s Bus Station - 800m

• Turn right out of the Bus Station and left into Churchgate.

• Continue to the Clock Tower, into Gallowtree Gate and then onto Granby Street.

• The Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel is on the corner of Granby Street and Belvoir Street.

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Travelling By Car:From the M1 (junction 21) and the M69 junction 21 off the M1:• Follow the A5460 towards Leicester. After the Total Petrol

Station, pull into the right hand lane in readiness to turn right at the next set of traffic lights into Upperton Road.

• Follow signs for the City and after about a mile you will come to a T-junction, with the Royal Infirmary on the left and the Tiger’s Rugby Ground ahead.

• Take the right-hand lane and follow the traffic to the left.

• Follow the signs for the Railway Station and turn right at the next set of traffic lights.

• Take the left-hand lane to turn left into Tigers Way (A594) and follow signs for the Railway Station.

• Go through fourth sets of traffic lights. The Railway Station will be on your right-hand side. At the fifth set, bear left into Charles Street.

• Take your first left onto Northampton Street, turn right onto Granby Street then take the first left left onto Dover Street.

• It is then the first right onto Albion Street, follow to the end and turn right onto Chatham Street. The car park entrance is half way down on the left.

From A50 North (M1 Junction 22):• Follow signs for A50 Leicester (Northgate Street), which turns

into Highcross Street as you approach the city centre, then turn left into Vaughan Way (A594) passing the St Margaret’s Bus Station on your right-hand side.

• Continue in the right-hand lane and proceed over the flyover.

• As you approach a roundabout, stay in the right-hand lane and take the third exit on to St George’s Way (A594).

• Continue past three sets of traffic lights (Leicester Mercury Building on the right-hand side).

• At the fourth set of traffic lights turn right into Charles Street.

• Take your first left on to Northampton Street, turn right onto Granby Street then take the first left left onto Dover Street.

• It is then the first right onto Albion Street, follow to the end and turn right onto Chatham Street. The car park entrance is half way down on the left.

Location

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ParkingParking for residents 120 vehicles£8 per car per night for residents(Complimentary parking for Blue Badge holders)

Mercure Leicester The Grand HotelGranby StreetLeicesterLE1 6ES

Tel: 0844 815 9012info@mecureleicester.co.uk

Location

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From A50 North(M1 Junction 22)

Mercure LeicesterThe Grand Hotel

Mercure LeicesterThe Grand Hotel

From A50 North(M1 Junction 22)

From the M1 (Junction 21) andthe M69 Junction 21 off the M1From the M1 (Junction 21) andthe M69 Junction 21 off the M1

carpark