The Fishwives’ Tale

Original version

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Documentaries

Factual: Life Stories

The Fishwives' Tale

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Fishwives’ Tale

The women who overcame grief through friendship and sea shanties

4 Extra Debut. Lead by Jane Dolby, wives, mothers and daughters talk about overcoming grief through friendship and sea shanties. From 2015.

It is the most dangerous peacetime job a man can do. 

And for the wives, mothers and daughters who lose their loved ones to the sea, rather than to war, the burden is no less to bear.
 
In 2008, Jane Dolby’s husband Colin went missing when his fishing trawler was caught in a freak storm. The boat was finally located and lifted from the bottom of the sea - but Colin was not found.
 
Aside from the emotional pain, there are practical complications. The law says that a death certificate cannot be issued without a body - which means no life insurance and no widowed parents' allowance, despite having four young children to bring up.
 
So in 2012, united by a common bond of understanding the dangers of fishing and a desire to raise money for The Fishermen’s Mission who help so many fishing families in hardship, Jane formed the Fishwives' Choir with women from all over the UK who have lost husbands, fathers, brothers and sons to the sea.
 
Although the choir was only formed to create a one-off charity record, the women received so many performance requests that they decided to carry on in any way they could. Most had not sung since their school days, but we now join Jane, Laura, Leigh and Wendy as they record their debut album.
 
Their efforts helped transform tragedy and grief into music and hope.
 
Lead by Jane and over a bed of raucous laughter, this is a heart-warming and at times hilarious tale of women overcoming grief through friendship and sea shanties - proving that, even in the darkest of times, there is still light.
 
With original music by Josh Winiberg.

Producer: Hana Walker-Brown

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2015.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Fishwives’ Tale

Genres

Formats

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4