Our Lizzie: Songs, Stories and the Sea

Meet Elizabeth Alice Hawksfield — Whitby fishlass, working woman and the inspiration behind Sara Dennis’s new creative project. Meet Elizabeth Alice Hawksfield — Whitby fishlass, working woman and the inspiration behind Sara Dennis’s new creative project, The Hawkesfield Rede. Through historic images, storytelling, poetry and brand-new songs, Sara brings Elizabeth and the women of Whitby’s fishing community vividly back to life. Discover the stories behind the photographs, the people behind the history, and the folklore that continues to shape Whitby’s identity. A journey through Whitby’s harbour, streets and fishing past — where history meets folklore, and old stories find a new voice. Sara Dennis is a Teesside-based musician, poet, writer and storyteller. Her creative work spans original music, poetry, performance, creative writing and visual projects, often inspired by North East history, folklore, place and the people whose stories can easily be overlooked. A published poet and experienced performer, Sara has created work for exhibitions, festivals and community projects, and was Poet-in-Residence at MIMA in 2023. She loves bringing history to life through stories, songs and images, and is particularly interested in uncovering the voices of women from the past, including her own ancestor. Her latest project, The Hawkesfield Rede, began when Sara discovered, while researching her family tree, that Whitby fishlass Elizabeth Alice Hawksfield, a favourite subject of renowned photographer, Frank Meadow Sutcliffe, was her first cousin three times removed. The project has grown into a mix of historical research, photography, poetry, fiction, storytelling and original songs. Sara is passionate about making history and creativity feel welcoming, accessible and fun — and, above all, about sharing a good story.