Sidmouth fisheries pioneer has his story captured on radio

Sidmouth's finest amateur acting talent took part in a radio recording of a play about the fishermen's friend Stephen Reynolds ahead of this May's Sea Fest.

Stephen was an early pioneer of safety for the boats and the crews who endured hazardous conditions until he successfully campaigned for insurance and better protection at sea.

'Fish out of Water' was first performed on The Ham at last year's annual Sea Fest and will now reach a wider audience through the medium of an audio recording. The cast of all ages, assembled at The Sound Studio at Exeter Phoenix.

The team from Ears Knows and Throat oversaw the production which involves a variety of music including hymns, sea shanties and ballads.

Pippa Marriott who co-wrote and directed the play said: "We wanted the play to be captured for posterity. Stephen Reynolds was an important figure and lived at a time when his sexuality was not accepted. He was a trail blazer for fisheries and died too young from the Spanish Flu in 1919. We think his contribution and life should be preserved."

Louise Cole, Director of Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub, Sea Fest's organisers, said: "We are excited that we can capture the story of Stephen Reynolds in this way.

"We will be broadcasting the play to take it to new audiences, using the radio recording in different ways to share Sidmouth's hidden history. We are planning on launching the radio play as an audio installation at Sea Fest at this year's Sea Fest.

"We'd like to thank the Sid Vale Association for providing grant funding to enable the recording to take place."

This year Sidmouth Sea Fest will take place on Saturday, May 16, from 10am till late, Port Royal, Sidmouth.