Vigilance and Provident

Painted in 2024 by Neil Wilkinson-Cave of Sacredart Murals

Commissioned by Brixham Future

This mural takes inspiration from Brixham's local heritage fleet, including the `Vigilance` and `Provident` sailing trawlers with their characteristic red sails. 

The red trawler sails were created in the past by painting them with a mineral found in Brixham, ochre. This gave the old fishing boats their "red sails in the sunset" image but the purpose was to protect the canvas from seawater, not to be picturesque. It was boiled in great caldrons, together with tar, tallow and oak bark, the last ingredient giving the name of barking yards to the places where the hot mixture was painted on to the sails, which were then hung up to dry.on Furzeham Green (further up Apters Hill turn left along Higher Street and then up Station Hill).