From Bristol….to Botany Bay

In the early 1800s ten female convicts in Bristol Newgate Gaol (now the site of The Galleries shopping centre) were sentenced to ‘transportation beyond the seas’—Australia.

While much is known about these women after they were transported, almost nothing was known of their lives, and crimes, here. In 2022-3, with funding from Historic England and UWE, we explored these forgotten stories through a series of workshops with women in HMP Eastwood Park. Sessions included creative writing with group feedback and final scripts recorded.

Two of the ten women transported lived in Bedminster and the talk will include information about their charges and convictions. The talk will be given by Sheila Hannon, Show Of Strength Theatre Company’s Creative producer, who led the sessions with UWE’s Dr Rose Wallis and actor Lynda Rooke.

Show of Strength’s work focuses on local stories and the talk will also reference other South Bristol people and stories.

Sheila Hannon, Creative Producer
info@showofstrength.org.uk