Snowman author's claim to 'hate Christmas' was pretence

The acclaimed author of The Snowman claimed to "hate Christmas", but loved to spend the period with his loved ones, a close friend has said.

John Lord worked with Raymond Briggs and lived near him in Ditchling in East Sussex, describing him as a kind and warm-hearted man who he "misses very much".

Mr Briggs, who wrote and illustrated the festive classics, was akin to his "curmudgeonly" portrayal of Father Christmas, Mr Lord said, but added that this was "all a pretence".

He said: "He actually loved Christmas, but I think that the Christmas business was getting on his wick."

Mr Lord described his friend as "very warm-hearted and kind".

"But he didn't treat fools gladly," he added.

"He used to be a lot of fun during Christmas, but in Father Christmas he describes him as a curmudgeon, and that's just like Raymond was in a way.

"It was like a self-portrait."

Mr Briggs, who also wrote books such as Fungus the Bogeyman and Ethel and Ernest, a biographical graphic novel about his parents, lived in Westmeston, East Sussex, for many years prior to his death in 2022 aged 88.

His Christmas book The Snowman, which has since been adapted into a animated film, features many Sussex landmarks including Brighton's Royal Pavilion and the South Downs.

Mr Lord, 87, met Mr Briggs while working together at the Brighton School of Art in 1961, and said the pair spent many years living near each other.

He added that he and Mr Briggs would visit local pubs together and, when his friend was poorly towards the end of his life, would visit him at his home.

Following his death, a collection of Mr Briggs' works was put on display at the Ditchling Museum of Arts and Crafts.

Steph Fuller, the museum's director, said: "Lots of people have memories of the books and reading them to their children and grandchildren.

"He always said his books weren't just for children, and they have quite adult emotion in them which makes them much more resonant because they are much more real."

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