Herald Express (Newton & Teign Edition)
Hard life of fishermen’s wives told in song and spoken word
BRIXHAM singing duo Black Gold are beginning their musical partnership by telling the fascinating story of the port’s fish hawkers, the wives and widows of fishermen who fought the authorities for licences to sell fish directly while their husbands and sons were at sea.
Using songs and stories Kim Wilson and Sue Hackett will highlight the struggles these women faced.
At the same time they will be raising funds for The Fishermen’s Mission. They will be performing at the inaugural National Fishing Remembrance Day service at Brixham fish quay on May 12.
The pair, who met through Quay Harmony, a Brixham women’s choir, came up with the idea of singing together as they found their voices harmonised well during spontaneous sessions outside of rehearsals. They subsequently joined Eclipse, a mixed choir in Paignton.
Ms Wilson had been involved in an art project about the fish hawkers in collaboration with Brixham Museum in 2018. She wanted to revisit that story through her favourite medium of music, particularly song.
The fish hawkers not only sold the catch by Dutch auction, starting by shouting the price they wanted and then reducing it until they found a buyer, but they also gutted, cleaned and prepared the fish for sale, mended nets and generally supported their men at sea.
Brixham became one of the most important fishing ports in Britain from the late 17th century and has retained a pre-eminent position in the industry ever since.
Some of the songs Black Gold will be singing have been written by well known Brixham folk singer Maggie Duffy, including one specifically about the fish hawkers.
Other songs will be familiar to audiences but adapted to the pair’s vocal style and reflecting various aspects of the story. The songs will be interspersed with narrative pieces, spoken by Ms Hackett’s husband Richard.
The name Black Gold is taken from the ink from cuttlefish, an important catch for the modern industry, and it is mentioned in a line from Duffy’s song The Fish Hawkers.
Ms Wilson said: “We needed to bring the fish hawkers’ story into a public performance space, celebrate the roles of women in the fishing industry and not keep it a secret”.
Ms Hackett added: “We both enjoy singing and harmonising with a variety of styles of music and what better way to share this than to tell some stories about Brixham and at the same time help to raise funds for the Fishermen’s Mission”.
The Fishermen’s Mission, a national charity which has provided help and support to fishing communities for more than 140 years, is an integral part of the story and has been involved with the development of the project.
The aim is to take the show to schools, colleges, clubs and institutions across Devon to entertain and educate audiences about the fish hawkers.
Helen Lovell-Smith, Devon area officer for The Fishermen’s Mission said: “Fishing is the most dangerous occupation in peacetime England and The Fishermen’s Mission is here to help fishing families who may be struggling financially, especially when the boats can’t get out due to storms.
“In the devastating event of a loss of a fisherman, The Fishermen’s Mission can provide emergency and long-term support to the family. I look forward to them joining the National Fishing Remembrance Day Service.”