In case you were wondering where the name "Ribbon Gang Co." comes from, here's a quick history lesson!
The Ribbon Gang were a group of bushrangers that roamed the Bathurst area (where our candles are now made) nearly 200 years ago.
It was started by a convict named Ralph Entwistle who was assigned to work on a farm in the Bathurst area. One summer's day in 1829, he and another servant were returning from a trip to Sydney on behalf of the squatter they worked for when they decided to stop for a skinny dip in the Macquarie River. The Governor was touring the area and although he didn't see the nude swimming, the convicts were arrested sentenced to a public flogging of 50 lashes.
MACQUARIE RIVER, BATHURST
A resentful Entwistle soon turned to bushranging. He and other convicts began raiding farms in the area, stealing from the properties and their gang eventually grew to around 80 men as the convicts from these farms joined them along the way.
The gang called on the home of the magistrate who sentenced Entwistle to the public flogging but he wasn't home however, they did kill his overseer.
Over the next several months, the gang continued to roam the area and several gunfights took place between them and the troopers, volunteers, police and British Army soldiers who sought to end the rebellion.
Over time, the gang numbers began to shrink and eventually Entwistle himself was caught. He and five of the gang were convicted of the murder of the magistrate's overseer while the remaining four gang members were convicted of plundering farmhouses. They were all sentenced to death.
RIBBON GANG LANE, BATHURST
They were hanged in a public execution in Bathurst on 2 November, 1830 on the site now known as Ribbon Gang Lane, a short walk from where we pour our Ribbon Gang Co. candles today.
As for the gang's name, they were called the Ribbon Gang on account of the fact that Ralph Entwistle was said to wear white streamers about his head. 🎀