Films

When Better Letters Met Brian Walker

Short film celebrating the late Brian Walker's life and work as a signwriter in Hackney, London.

Better Letters

Nov 6, 2025 • 4 min read

Last summer during my trip to London, I took filmmaker Irene Chirita with me to meet with retired Hackney signwriter Brian Walker. Sadly, Brian passed away in June, shortly before we finished our short film celebrating his life on the brush.

Brian Walker in his garden posing in front of some of his handiwork and holding his book, *Tales of the Old Iron Pot*.

When Better Letters Met Brian Walker is now the latest in the ‘When Better Letters Met’ series. It premiered at Chats Palace on 29 July and via Zoom on 17 October. The film can now be watched online below, where it is presented alongside a gallery of Brian's sign painting work.

When Better Letters Met Brian Walker

As with the previous films in the series, this production was a community effort with many voluntary contributions making it possible. I would like to give special mentions to Julia Matheson and Travis Crowther who, respectively, helped us to organise the filming with Brian and liaised with his family after his death.

The direct funding required to produce the film then came from me/BLAG and those that kindly supported the Kickstarter campaign.

Credits

Filmed and directed by Irene Chirita.
Produced by Sam Roberts.
In association with Chats Palace Arts Centre.
With sponsorship from A.S. Handover and West Side Sign Co. and in memory of the love, kindness and warmth of Brian and Pamela Walker.

Thank you to A.S. Handover and West Side Sign Co. for their support of this film and all things BLAG.

And thanks to everyone that supported the project on Kickstarter and in-kind: Ahsan Kabir; Alan Rossiter; Alys Cambray; Bill Walker; Cindy Suhr; Damian Patchell; Dave Bunce; Dave Pawson; David Stewart Kemp; Erno Hajos; Georgia Walker; Glenn & Joanne Walker; Hackney Society; Hazel Goldman; Isola Press; James Walker; Julia Matheson; Kaitlin Rawley; Keith Roberts; Laurie Elks; Mark Francis-Vasey; Mark Magpusao; Mary Roberts; Michael Norwood; Nelson Costa; Nick Higham; Puget Sound Signs; Rich Tabor; Sid Fereday; Stacie Dale Designs Inc.; Toraigh Watson; Travis Crowther; W. Blake.

Enjoy the film!