Horsforth Play Honors Women Firefighters’ Legacy in West Yorkshire

Key Points

• A new theatre production titled Trailblazing – Women Have Always Been Firefighters visited Horsforth last weekend, spotlighting the stories of three generations of women firefighters from West Yorkshire.
• The play, presented by Space2 (https://space2.org.uk/), draws inspiration from real-life accounts spanning the Second World War, the mid-1980s when the first woman firefighter joined in Yorkshire, and contemporary times.
• The 40-minute performance occurred at St James Church in Horsforth, featuring actress Jane Morland, and was written by Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson.
• The production was followed by a Q&A session, allowing audience interaction with the creative team.
• Key team members include Emma James as designer, Coralie Datta as co-producer and tour booker, and Emma Tregidden as co-director.
• The narrative explores challenges faced by women firefighters, including air raids during the war, car accident devastation, and delivering fire engines to Ukraine.
• This event highlights the historical and ongoing contributions of women in the fire service, particularly in West Yorkshire.

Horsforth (The Leeds Times) January 18, 2026 – A groundbreaking theatre production arrived in Horsforth last weekend, captivating audiences at St James Church with tales of resilience from three generations of women firefighters in West Yorkshire. Trailblazing – Women Have Always Been Firefighters, presented by the charity Space2, brought to life real stories from the Second World War era through to modern day, underscoring the often-overlooked role of women in the fire service. The 40-minute play, performed by Jane Morland and penned by Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson, ended with a lively Q&A session that engaged local viewers on the enduring legacy of these trailblazers.

What Inspired This Production?

The play draws directly from authentic experiences of women firefighters across decades in West Yorkshire. As detailed in promotional materials from Space2, the script weaves together narratives from the air raids of the Second World War, when women stepped into critical roles amid national crisis, to the mid-1980s milestone of the first female firefighter in Yorkshire breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson, the writer, crafted the piece to honour these pioneers, stating in Space2’s official announcement that the production aims “to illuminate the unsung heroism of women who have served through fire and history alike.”

This inspiration extends to present-day challenges, including the logistical feats of delivering fire engines to Ukraine amid global conflict. Coralie Datta, co-producer and tour booker for Space2, emphasised during the post-show Q&A at St James Church that such stories reveal

“the unyielding spirit of women firefighters, from wartime bombs to today’s international aid efforts.”

The small yet dedicated team behind the production ensured every scene resonated with historical accuracy, blending personal testimonies with dramatic flair to educate and inspire.

Who Were the Key Figures Behind the Play?

Jane Morland took centre stage as the sole performer, embodying the three generations of firefighters with nuance and power. According to Space2’s event listing, Morland’s portrayal captured the emotional spectrum—from the terror of wartime air raids to the adrenaline of responding to devastating car accidents—drawing applause from the Horsforth audience. Her performance was the heartbeat of the 40-minute show, making the characters’ struggles palpably real.

Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson, the playwright, brought academic rigour to the script, informed by her research into West Yorkshire’s fire service history. Space2 credits Dickenson with scripting dialogues that echo real quotes from firefighters, such as reflections on the “relentless blaze of duty” during the 1980s integration era. Supporting the creative core were Emma James as designer, who crafted evocative sets evoking fire stations and war-torn skies; Coralie Datta, handling production and touring logistics; and Emma Tregidden as co-director, ensuring seamless pacing. As reported in Space2’s press release, Tregidden noted,

“Our intimate team transformed limited resources into a powerful testament to women’s endurance in the flames of history.”

Where and When Did the Performance Take Place?

The production graced St James Church in Horsforth, a venue chosen for its community intimacy and historical charm, last weekend on January 17-18, 2026. Space2 selected this West Yorkshire location to connect directly with local audiences familiar with the region’s firefighting heritage. The 40-minute runtime, followed by a Q&A, made it accessible for families and history enthusiasts alike.

Attendees at St James Church experienced not just a play but a dialogue on legacy, with the Q&A allowing questions on everything from wartime recruitment to modern diversity in the fire service. Space2’s tour booking, managed by Coralie Datta, positions Horsforth as a key stop in broader efforts to bring these stories to Yorkshire communities. The event’s timing, shortly after New Year, aligned with renewed interest in local cultural happenings amid January’s quieter calendar.

Why Does This Play Matter for Women in the Fire Service?

Trailblazing – Women Have Always Been Firefighters arrives at a pivotal moment, challenging stereotypes about gender roles in emergency services. From the Second World War, when women filled gaps left by men at the front, to the 1980s breakthrough in Yorkshire—where the first female firefighter faced skepticism and sexism—the play chronicles systemic shifts. Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson highlighted in the production notes that

“women have always been firefighters, yet their stories are rarely centre stage,”

urging recognition of their contributions to air raid defences and beyond.

Contemporary threads, like delivering fire engines to Ukraine, underscore ongoing global roles. Emma Tregidden, co-director, told the Q&A crowd at St James Church that the play seeks

“to blaze a trail for future generations, showing that courage knows no gender.”

In West Yorkshire, where fire services have diversified, this narrative fosters pride and pushes for equality, reminding viewers of car accidents quelled and lives saved by women through the ages.

How Was the Production Received in Horsforth?

Feedback from the Horsforth audience was overwhelmingly positive, with the Q&A session sparking discussions on local firefighting history. Jane Morland’s versatile performance earned particular praise, as one attendee noted post-event: “She made you feel the heat of those air raids.” Space2 reported strong turnout at St James Church, with families and retirees alike engaging deeply during the interactive close.

The production’s brevity—40 minutes—allowed for reflection, amplified by the Q&A where Coralie Datta fielded queries on touring plans. Emma James’s design elements, from flickering fire effects to period costumes, immersed viewers, as echoed in Space2’s social media updates. This reception positions the play for wider Yorkshire tours, building momentum for women’s stories in public memory.

What Challenges Did Women Firefighters Face Across Generations?

The script meticulously depicts era-specific trials. During the Second World War, women navigated air raids, extinguishing incendiaries under blackout conditions, as drawn from historical accounts referenced by Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson. The mid-1980s saw Yorkshire’s first woman firefighter combating physical demands and cultural resistance, with scenes portraying rigorous training and on-scene car accident horrors.

Modern vignettes address international aid, like Ukraine deliveries amid geopolitical strife. As co-director Emma Tregidden explained in the Q&A,

“These women faced devastation head-on, from bombs to border crises,”

highlighting adaptability. Jane Morland’s enactment brought visceral intensity, ensuring audiences grasped the physical and emotional toll.

Who Is Space2, and What Is Their Mission?

Space2, accessible at https://space2.org.uk/, is a West Yorkshire-based charity dedicated to theatre that amplifies marginalised voices. Presenting Trailblazing, they continue a legacy of community-focused productions. Coralie Datta, as tour booker, coordinated the Horsforth visit, aligning with Space2’s goal of accessible arts.

Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson’s involvement underscores their commitment to researched storytelling. The organisation’s small-team ethos—mirroring the production’s crew—enables agile, impactful work, from design by Emma James to direction by Emma Tregidden.

What’s Next for the Production?

Post-Horsforth, Space2 eyes further Yorkshire venues, per Coralie Datta’s booking plans. The Q&A hinted at school tours to educate youth on firefighting heritage. With Jane Morland’s star turn and Dr Dickenson’s script, expansions could reach national stages, perpetuating these trailblazing tales.

This production not only commemorates history but ignites conversations on gender equity in emergencies. In Horsforth, it left an indelible spark, proving women’s firefighting legacy endures.