Terry Ireland Poet Rhyme

Big Lil - 1968

It was a year of revolutions
Worldwide, quiet little fights
Wanting more from democracy?
Fighting for Civil Rights.?
From Hull three trawlers sank
February, fifty eight lives lost,
Adding to that 10 thousand
Deep sea fishing would finally cost.

They called them Headscarf Heroes
Big Lil lead the housewives, the few
Who stood and fought for 
More safety for the crews.
They marched on Downing Street
In defence of their men
Met with PremierHarold Wilson
Up there at Number 10;

United the fishing community
All over the land,
Brought the fight to the public,
Made an historic stand
To fight for basic safety
To fight for better ways
For the men who fished each year
On average over three hundred days.

She was vilified and attacked
Received letters threatening death
But BIg Lil and her companions
Fought with their every breath.
They won many concessions
At their personal cost
The efforts of these ladies
Saved many lives from being lost.

The fishing fleet is finished.
Old Hessle Road is gone.
In time and at a price
This City has moved on.
Such an historic figure
I find it such an awful shame
So very few know or remember 
Big Lil and the others names

Lillian Bilocca 1929 - 1988 and the Headscarf Revolutionaries, Christine Jensen, Mary Denness, and Yvonne Blenkinsop,  
with respect

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