A concert marking the second National Fishing Remembrance Day will be held in Hull on Saturday, May 10.
Described as a “compelling live show blending song, spoken word and archive visuals”, 12 Silk Handkerchiefs features material originally released as an album by singer-songwriter Reg Meuross in 2018.
Inspired by Brian Lavery’s book The Headscarf Revolutionaries, it tells the tale of the winter of 1968 in Hull in what became known as the Triple Trawler Tragedy, when three trawlers – St Romanus, Kingston Peridot and Ross Cleveland – were lost in three weeks with the loss of 58 men.
From that devastation rose a powerful voice: Lillian Bilocca, who led the campaign for better safety aboard the ships. Her movement gathered 10,000 signatures in just 10 days and took her all the way to Westminster. The changes she demanded were implemented, and a community found strength in solidarity.
The music will be performed by Reg Meuross with narration from Brian Lavery and live accompaniment by Sam Martyn, a stalwart of Hull’s folk scene. The piece weaves rarely seen footage and first-hand stories into a tribute to courage, community and change.
From lone survivor Harry Eddom to the families who faced unimaginable loss, to the fierce fight of the “headscarf revolutionaries”, 12 Silk Handkerchiefs honours them all, organisers say.
The event at St John the Baptist, known as the Fishermen’s Church, in St George’s Road, begins at 7.30pm and takes place on the eve of the national day of remembrance.
Tickets are available via regmeuross.com.