An unexpected filming day...

We celebrated our final day of filming for Briefest Encounters by interviewing paper designer, illustrator and author Helen Friel who bought Cyril Raymond’s diaries at a car boot sale in 2007.

Joanna was reunited with the only tangible keepsakes she has of her grandfather ten years later when she was interviewed with Helen and actor Lucy Fleming (daughter of Celia Johnson who played Cyril’s wife in Brief Encounter) on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live programme.

And eight years on from that broadcast, Helen and Joanna met to discuss the content of the diaries in more detail. Cyril Raymond was definitely there looking over our shoulders and not only did we learn about his touring experiences but had insights into a more meaningful side of his character.

We’re so looking forward to sharing his story with you and we are now heading into the edit suite to start to piece together this extraordinary ancestral story.

Thanks again to you all for your support.

Joanna and Luke x