Seven Years for a Pair of Boots: Penal Transportation Object Handling

Tuesday 27th October, from 11:00am–2:00pm

Between 1788 and 1868, over 160,000 men, women and children were sent from Britain to Australia as convicts. The court at Ripon sent people too. In 1833 Anne East was transported for seven years for stealing a pair of boots. In 1836 John Naylor, a Ripon brewer, got seven years for stealing a stone of coal. Two brothers from Pateley Bridge, Elisha and John Sinkler, were sentenced to death, then transported. Both the Sinklers came home.

Drop in to hold a pair of restraints of the kind prisoners were put in before they left, and match each crime to its sentence. Then decide whether it was fair. You can also scratch your own message into a medallion, the way convicts did for the people they were leaving behind, and write a luggage tag for our board. The board will stay up all week of half term, so you can add a tag whenever you visit.

There is no need to book – just come along and join in! This activity is included in the price of your annual pass.

This is one of the many fun and creative activities included in the price of your annual pass across our three museums. Make sure you check our ‘Things To Do’ page to see what else we have coming up this half term.

Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult. This activity is suitable for children aged 7+, but children will need adult supervision.

This activity takes place at the Ripon Prison & Police Museum