n IN DAYS GONE BY With Clare Blackmore Crimes that resulted in transportation

“During the period of transportation as the punishment for a crime, thousands of men and women and children, most of whom were guilty of little more than small thefts, were processed through a brutal system. The weak, the young, the vulnerable, those unable to prepare a defence and most of all whose greatest misfortune was to be poor were packed onto ships and exiled.” fabric) the property of John Brown. Transportation for 15 years.

Lucy Williams: Convicts in the colonies. Transportation tales from Britain to Australia.

MORE than 162,000 convicts were transported to Australia between 1787 and 1858. Nineteen crimes could get you sent to Australia including: grand larceny, theft above the value of one-shilling, petty larceny, theft below the value of one shilling, buying, or receiving stolen goods, jewels, and plate, stealing iron, copper, lead or receiving these items, stealing from furnished lodgings, cutting down a tree in an orchard, stealing livestock.

Some of those sentenced to transportation were found guilty at the Somerset Quarter Sessions which were held by a Judge and jury at the Crown Court in Wells Town Hall.

George Harris: stealing a male ass the property of Samuel Brine. Transported for ten years.

George Yerbury: for stealing from the coat of Charles Cullen, one purse containing three sovereigns plus other coins. Transportation for 15 years. John Hobbe: for stealing two bushels of potatoes, the property of William Salter. Transported for seven years.

John Harding, John Biggs and George Elton: for stealing one can, a quantity of treacle and butter, the property of William Pearse and also one tin can the property of Joseph Richards. Transported for ten years each. William Squire: for stealing a pair of breeches, the property of George Carey. Transported for seven years.

Cottle. Transported for seven years.

James Hallet: for breaking into a malthouse and stealing a pair of boots and other articles the property of Silvanus Longman. Transported for seven years.

Mark Bennett: for stealing from the person of Percival Cole, two half crowns and a sixpence. Transported for seven years.

James Squire: for stealing a quantity of coal, the property of John Hurd, having been before convicted he was sentenced to seven years transportation.

Abraham Howe: for stealing a sixpence, the property of William Kerslake, a former conviction being proved against him, ten years transportation.

John Wilson: for breaking into the dwelling house of William Johns, stealing a brass kettle and other domestic items. Ten years transportation.

Somerset Quarter Sessions, Wells, April 1853

John Allen: for stealing a post letter containing three sovereigns, the property of the Postmaster General. Transported for ten years.

George Chappell: for criminal assault on Ann Somers: Ten years transportation, and for aiding and abetting, William Sweet: Ten years transportation.

George Nutt, William Haskins: for felonious assaults on Mercy Brimble and Jane Coles. Twenty years transportation each.

Samuel Chard: pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary. Ordered to be transported for seven years.

James Morley: pleaded guilty to a charge of arson. Sentenced to be transported for ten years.

James Thair and Harriet Thair: for burglary in the house of Samuel Fear. A tin kettle, some handkerchiefs and a hat stolen. The male prisoner sentenced to be transported for ten years. The wife was not exempt from responsibility and sentenced to 12 months in Shepton Mallet Prison with hard labour.

In 1868 convict transportation to Western Australia came to an end after 80 years.

It seems amazing when you stand in Wells Market Place and look at our fine Town Hall that the fate of the above persons was decided in that building.

Somerset Quarter Sessions, Wells, January 1852

Sarah Lucas: for stealing two pounds weight of fat, the property of Silas Downton. Transported for seven years. Women were no longer sentenced to transportation after April 1853 so Sarah Lucas would have been among the last of the women to be sentenced in this way.

Richard White: stealing a brass weight, the property of George Parker. Transported for ten years.

John Gear: for the stealing of a fustian coat (a thick coarse

Thomas Maroni: for stealing a sack and a peck of beans the property of Joseph Gane. Transportation for 15 years. Mark Bennett: for stealing from the person of Percival Cole, two half crowns and a sixpence. Transported for seven years. Joseph Oram: for stealing a bullock, the property of Jospeh Willis. Transported for seven years.

Henry Watts: for stealing a mare, the property of Henry Candy. Transported for seven years.

Edward Richards: for stealing 18 sheep, the property of John

n WHAT’S ON

Update about path at coffee morning

THERE will be a progress report on the Strawberry Line at the Wells Labour Coffee Morning in September.

Long-standing Strawberry Line campaigner Richard Jones will speak about the history of this greenway project, how volunteers have driven progress and how increasingly supportive local councils are making the path a reality. Detailed updates on all sections between Clevedon and Shepton Mallet will be provided, alongside rarely seen photos and personal stories.

There will be additional input from Mick Fletcher, Chair of The Strawberry Line Society.

This will be followed by Lisa Pool talking about the St Cuthbert’s Out heritage list findings.

The Coffee Morning takes place on Saturday, September 23, at the Portway Annexe, Portway Avenue, Wells, from 10am-noon. Free entry, everybody welcome.

Cathedral concert by acclaimed choir

ACCLAIMED choir The Sixteen will be giving a concert at Wells Cathedral on Friday, September 8.

The Sixteen are currently touring across the country visiting 27 locations in what is the 22nd year of the ensemble’s Choral Pilgrimage.

The 2023 tour is inspired by the influence of William

Pilates And Barre

TUESDAYS

Pilates 9.15am

Pilates Seated Seniors 10.30am

WEDNESDAYS

Barre 5pm • Pilates 6pm

THURSDAYS

Pilates 9.15am • Barre 10.30am

FRIDAYS

Pilates 9.15am Location Wells Town Hall. Small, mixed ability classes. To apply, contact Sally at: zest2zen@gmail.com

Almshouses Open Day

Saturday 9 September 11am – 4pm Free entry

Beautiful gardens and medieval homes to visit as well as the Guildroom and ancient chapel. Tasty savouries and cakes available.

Somerset Flutes playing from 12pm-1pm and popular Ukulele band playing between 2pm and 3pm. The almshouses are on two sites, one in Priest Row and the other at the back of St Cuthbert’s churchyard.

Byrd, presenting a programme exploring his life, works and pervading faith. His legacy is marked by the commission of two new compositions by Dobrinka Tabakova, bringing his musical heritage firmly into the modern day.

The programme also features works by Van Wilder, de Monte, Clemens Non Papa and Byrd himself.

Tickets for the Wells concert can be booked at thesixteen. com/book-online/54601

Painting group to exhibit their art

WELLS Painting Group is holding its 2023 exhibition in Wells & Mendip Museum, on Cathedral Green, in September.

Wells Painting Group was founded in 1969 by popular local artist Pauline Phillips. After meeting in the Blue School for many years, the group moved to St Thomas’ Church Hall where it meets regularly.

Group members paint a wide and varied range of subjects in all mediums.

The exhibition will be open from Tuesday, September 12, to Saturday, September 23 (excluding Sunday, September 17, and Monday, September 18), from 10am to 4pm.

The paintings are for sale and there will be cards available to purchase. Admission is free. For more information, tel: 07968 050526.

Social Dancing

SOCIAL Dancing (Ballroom, Sequence, Latin) takes place every Friday evening at Henton village hall near Wells, BA5 1PD, from 7pm to 9pm.

People do not have to be good, simply go along and join in. The cost is £6 per person, and refreshments are provided. For more information, call 07769 603937.

Folk club meetings

MR Punch’s Folk Club meets once a fortnight on a Friday at Theale Village Hall, BA5 1PN, from 8pm. Traditional and contemporary music, song and verse. Mostly open mic, with new performers always welcome.

More at punchsfolkclub. yolasite.com

n WHAT’S ON Quiz Night taking place at Tramways

THERE will be an Oxfam Quiz Night at the Tramways, Wells, on Sunday, September 3, 7.30pm start. Teams of up to six, £4 per team member. To book, phone Terry on 01749 672342 or email terryricketts1948@gmail.com. Raffle prizes welcomed.

Wednesday dance meetings resuming

WELLS Folk & Barn Dance Club resume meetings on Wednesday, September 20, at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells. Doors open 7pm, dancing 7.30pm-9.30pm. No experience or partner necessary. For more, call 01749 674920 or see www.wellsfdc. co.uk

Drawing workshop that will calm minds

A MINDFUL Mandala Drawing Workshop will provide an opportunity to learn a new skill and calm the mind at the same time.

The two-hour workshop (10am-12pm) will be held on Thursday, September 21, in the room above the cafe at The Good Earth, Wells. Cost of £10. No previous drawing experience is required.

For further information or to register, contact Lyn on 07919 876566 or email lyndutch@ hotmail.co.uk

Tai Chi

Wells Blue Sports Centre

Mondays

6pm – 7pm

£5 per class

Bob 07791 291886

Scottish Dancers set to start new term

WELLS Scottish Dancers begin a new term on September 14. The Scottish country dancing group’s classes are held on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Blue School Sports Centre, Wells. All ages (over 18) are welcome, no experience is necessary, and no partner is needed. However, a reasonable level of mobility is required for this lively and sociable activity.

To learn more about Scottish dancing or to register interest in joining, call Ann on 01934 740065 or email ann. wellsdancers@gmail.com

Board game nights

WELLS Board Game Group will meet at The Quarter Jack, Priory Road, Wells, on Wednesday, September 13, and Wednesday, September 27, from 7pm9.30pm.

Irish Set Dancing

IRISH Set Dancing takes place on Thursday evenings in Dinder Village Hall from 8pm-10pm, from September to June. Beginners are welcome, and no partner is necessary.

£3 including refreshments. More information from Paul

Harper: 01458 210051 or paulharper@btopenworld.com

Sing-along sessions

GOLDEN-OLDIES sing-along sessions for older people take place on the first Wednesday of each month at the Methodist Church Hall, 24 Southover, Wells, BA5 1UH, with Al and Annie Whitley. From 2.30pm3.30pm, with tea and coffee from 2.15pm.

Seated exercise

SEATED exercise classes are taking place in Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells, every Tuesday afternoon at 2.30pm. Carrie Hemmings is delivering the Love To Move sessions, which involve movement to music while sitting down. The cost to take part is £4 per person and £1 per accompanying carer. For more information, contact Carrie: 07818 303956 or email lovetomovemendip@ gmail.com

Upbeat evening

ALT-FOLK band Noble Jacks bring their high-energy footstompin’ rhythms to Cedars Hall in Wells on September 8. Tickets start at £16. More information at cedarshallwells. co.uk

Pub music events

FREE folksong and music sessions are being organised in friendly traditional pubs.

Advertise your event in our What’s On section with a single column display advert like this

Just £30 + VAT

Find out more by emailing sales@wellsvoice.co.uk

The Wells Folk Sessions take place on the second Monday of every month at Queen Victoria Inn, Priddy, 9pm till late; and the fourth Wednesday of every month at City Arms, High Street, Wells, 8.45pm till late.

All are welcome at the music nights to sing a song, play a tune or just listen and enjoy. More from Richard: 01761 412797, richardlm397@gmail.com