On the evening of January 1866, a great storm blew up across the South coast, and hit Brixham. Much of her fishing fleet, and many other ships sheltering from the storm in Torbay were destroyed in just a few hours, and legend has it that in the aftermarth, it was possible to walk from Brixham to Paignton upon the wreckage.

In a desparate attempt to guide thier menfolks ships to safety, the fishwives of Brixham lit a fire on the peir, burning thier household effects, to create a guiding light, and in an inspiring display of community spirit, much of the town turned out help those sailors who were shipwrecked and left destitute, far from home.

As a result of the storm, the people of Exeter raised the funds for Brixham to have her first RNLI lifeboat, The City Of Exeter which was delievered to Brixham in October the same year.

The South Devon Players, winners of the 2012 Torbay Together: Creativity In The Community Award, a completely non-profit community theatre group from Brixham with members ranging from beginners to experienced, re-tell the story of this night through the eyes of those on shore, in a one-hour performance which is also being taken further afield to be performed in a heat of the All England Theatre Festival, and which also is the subject of one members postgraduate university thesis. The drama is suitable for the whole family, and is supplimented by a historical exhibition in the foyer of performance venues.

Performances:

March 31st 2012, 3.00pm and 7.30pm. Christian Community Centre, Fore Street, Brixham

Tickets £3 (adults) £2 (children under 16), bookable in advance or on the door. (door open one hour before performance time)

April 14th 2012, 7.30 PM - Winner Street Baptist Church Hall, Paignton. Tickets £3 (adults) £2 (children under 16), bookable in advance or on the door. (door open one hour before performance time)