WIMBORNE resident and former actress Margaret James has spoken of the “love and warmth” she felt from the town after the death of her husband of 66 years.

Raymond James, who died recently after a short illness at the age of 93, met his future wife in 1947, when they were both involved in the theatre.

He went on to a career in teaching, retiring as a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Margaret enjoyed a 30-year career in films and on stage under her maiden name Margaret Barton, featuring in such films as Brief Encounter and Temptation Harbour.

Around 150 people attended Raymond’s funeral at Wimborne Minster recently.

“The love and warmth I have felt from everyone in Wimborne and my immediate neighbours has been absolutely wonderful and something that has upheld me in these last weeks,” said Margaret.

Born in Bristol, Raymond was a chorister in the city’s cathedral and served in the fire service throughout the Bristol Blitz.

After the war, he went to work painting scenery in theatre but became a performer as well.

His father had given him a letter which he kept in his pocket to encourage him during his search for work, including a quote from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.”

He was walking around London when he re-read these lines, turned a corner and saw the Fortune Theatre. He went to the stage door, found out about auditions and landed a role in Fly Away Peter.

He met Margaret, who was playing the leading role, and they were married 18 months later.

Raymond’s teaching career included training people in speaking for television in the early days of the medium.

Raymond and Margaret’s son Michael was a gifted organist and teacher, who became assistant director of music at Canford School and the organist and assistant director of music at Wimborne Minster.

He died from cancer at the age of 30 and had asked to be buried in Wimborne. His parents moved to the town after Raymond retired in 1987.

After Michael’s death in 1981, Raymond and Margaret were trustees of the Michael James Music Trust, which funds young people from all over the country to pursue their musical studies. Many people who were helped by the fund attended Raymond’s funeral.

The couple celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary at St Margaret’s Chapel in Wimborne shortly before Christmas.

Raymond was also an accomplished artist. “He was always painting, drawing and sketching,” said Margaret.

* An interview with Margaret James about her memories of being in Brief Encounter, conducted last autumn, appeared in the Daily Echo’s magazine shortly after he died. We regret any embarrassment caused by the timing.