Upon their return to Hull, Lillian told the press and the crowds it was the ‘happiest day of her life’. “We’ve done it!” she said. In an early interview with me, her fellow campaigner Denness (1937-2017) recalled how, at King’s Cross, platforms were empty and that she, Bilocca and Blenkinsop were the only “real” passengers on the train: The heroic story of these women in the face of tragedy highlights the fact that change comes from the populace.

When Mary Denness was called up to the stage, there was booing. Lillian shouted: “Are you booing her because she’s a skipper’s wife? Well, I don’t remember any skippers coming home!” The suitably chastened crowd went on to vote them all in as the Hessle Road Women’s Committee. In the highly charged atmosphere, the women marched on the owners’ offices, but were fobbed off.

Before the 'unity' of Grunwick: 40 years since the Imperial Typewriters strike - Evan Smith

But the family were called to the rest home in the early hours of Sunday, April 24 where Blenkinsop had passed away. Public outcry of the situation died down and life went on. The city of Kingston-Upon-Hull marched on. It relied on the fishing industry at sea and on-shore to live. The tragedy lived on in the family’s heads as their loved ones sailed off once more. All four women received threats by post and telegram. Copies of poison pen letters and other threats kept by Blenkinsop in files were lost in the floods of 2004. The others kept some of theirs which were later published. These four women took on trawler bosses and the establishment and won, making the world’s most dangerous profession — deep sea trawling — safer by far. In the face of ecological disaster there are lessons we should all take from them. People across the world are losing their lives and homes to the impending disaster. Huge wildfires affect diverse eco-systems and flooding threatens a huge portion of the world’s population.

Hull’s mural depicting Lillian Bilocca, who led a campaign to improve safety conditions on board North Sea trawlers For me, their true legacy is the innumerable people here today who might not have been but for their campaign. Their story, like their legacy, now belongs to the world.If I don't get satisfaction I'll be at that Wilson's house, private house, until I do get satisfaction in some shape or form.