Headscarf Revolutionaries by Sarah Davis
In the winter of 1968, 58 men and three Hull trawlers were lost at sea. Lillian Bilocca, wife, mother and daughter of trawlermen had had enough. Along with Yvonne Blenkinsop, Mary Denness and Christine Smallbone, she mobilised the women of Hessle Road to campaign for improvements to safety regulations in the fishing industry. It would prove to be one of the most successful civil actions of the 20th century – its purpose achieved within six weeks. Lillian received death threats and hate mail. She was blacklisted by the fishing industry and lost her job as a result of her actions.
Without the actions of these women, safety at sea would have remained treacherous with boats setting off without radio-operators, medics and safety boats. Many many lives have been saved as a result of the changes in law demanded by Lillian and her fellow campaigners.
58 fish for the 58 lives lost
4 headscarves for the 4 women
This piece holds a personal meaning for me as my mother’s family are from Hull and Hessle. My great-grandfather was chief engineer on a trawler which was lost at sea in the first months of the Second World War whilst on route to be kitted out as mine-sweeper.
Proceeds of sale to go to the Headscarf Revolutionaries statue appeal. SOLD
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Triple Trawler Tragedy and the Headscarf Revolutionaries, I can highly recommend the documentary and book (links below).
The Alchemist's Needle 