Fairy Meadow

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

1. When The Wind Changed

20220111

20220609 (R4)

The Grimmer family moved from the UK to Australia in 1969. They were 'ten pound poms' - part of a huge wave of migration down under.

Months later, Three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in New South Wales. She was never seen again. In the moments before she vanished, she was being looked after by her oldest brother, Ricki. He was just seven.

This is the story of that day, and of its impact in the months, years and decades that followed. It's Ricki's story - his desperate search for answers, and his battle with guilt.

And it's the story of an extraordinary police enquiry that was dramatically re-started almost 50 years after Cheryl was taken.

BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay has been investigating the case in Australia and in the UK since 2016. With exclusive access to the family and the investigating officers, he begins an eight-part exploration of this moving, gripping tale.

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Music: Elizabeth Purnell

Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney

Editor: James Cook

Three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer disappears from an Australian beach. A mystery begins.

2. A Ransom Note

20220111

20220616 (R4)

The Grimmer family are thousands of miles from home, and the Fairy Meadow migrant hostel is a lonely place in the days after Cheryl's disappearance. Then a note arrives from someone claiming to be the kidnapper. There's a rendezvous and a demand for cash...

BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into the abduction of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from a beach in New South Wales, Australia in 1970.

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Music: Elizabeth Purnell

Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney

Editor: James Cook

The Grimmers wait for news - and a note arrives from someone claiming to be the kidnapper.

3. Somebody Of Interest

20220119

20220623 (R4)

The Grimmer family have always hung on to the idea that somehow Cheryl might still be alive. Then, out of the blue, Ricki gets a call from the police which seems to put an end to their hopes.

BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into the disappearance of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from an Australian beach in 1970. He meets one of the two detectives involved in a cold case review. There's someone the police want to talk to.

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Music: Elizabeth Purnell

Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney

Editor: James Cook

Ricki has always hung on to the idea Cheryl might still be alive. Then he gets a call.

4. I Was Never There

20220119

20220630 (R4)

Nearly half a century after 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer goes missing from an Australian beach, the police make an arrest. Meanwhile, Ricki heads to the other side of the world.

BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay meets him in Bristol, where he visits his old family home and catches up with his British relatives as the trial looms.

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Music: Elizabeth Purnell

Studio Engineer: Jacques Sweeney

Editor: James Cook

Nearly 50 years after the disappearance of 3 year old Cheryl, the police make an arrest

5. A Judgement

20220126

20220707 (R4)

Two years after he's arrested and charged with abducting Cheryl Grimmer, Mercury appears in court in Sydney.

BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into Cheryl's story.

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Music is by Elizabeth Purnell

Jacques Sweeney is the studio engineer and the editor is James Cook

6. The Walk Through

20220126

20220714 (R4)

Frank has left the police but can't let go of Cheryl's story.

Jon Kay continues to investigate what happened to 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer, who vanished from a beach New South Wales, Australia more than 50 years ago.

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Music: Elizabeth Purnell

Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney

Editor: James Cook

7. Mercury's Story

20220126

20220721 (R4)

Jon tries to approach Mercury to hear his side of the story

8. The Girl With Blonde Hair And Blue Eyes

20220202

20220728 (R4)

On the fiftieth anniversary of Cheryl's disappearance, the police make an announcement

Bonus Episode: A New Lead

20231120

Cheryl Grimmer's family are determined to get her case back into court.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
1. When The Wind Changed	20220111	20220609 (R4)	The Grimmer family moved from the UK to Australia in 1969. They were 'ten pound poms' - part of a huge wave of migration down under. Months later, Three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in New South Wales. She was never seen again. In the moments before she vanished, she was being looked after by her oldest brother, Ricki. He was just seven. This is the story of that day, and of its impact in the months, years and decades that followed. It's Ricki's story - his desperate search for answers, and his battle with guilt. And it's the story of an extraordinary police enquiry that was dramatically re-started almost 50 years after Cheryl was taken. BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay has been investigating the case in Australia and in the UK since 2016. With exclusive access to the family and the investigating officers, he begins an eight-part exploration of this moving, gripping tale. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard Music: Elizabeth Purnell Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney Editor: James Cook Three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer disappears from an Australian beach. A mystery begins.
2. A Ransom Note	20220111	20220616 (R4)	The Grimmer family are thousands of miles from home, and the Fairy Meadow migrant hostel is a lonely place in the days after Cheryl's disappearance. Then a note arrives from someone claiming to be the kidnapper. There's a rendezvous and a demand for cash... BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into the abduction of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from a beach in New South Wales, Australia in 1970. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard Music: Elizabeth Purnell Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney Editor: James Cook The Grimmers wait for news - and a note arrives from someone claiming to be the kidnapper.
3. Somebody Of Interest	20220119	20220623 (R4)	The Grimmer family have always hung on to the idea that somehow Cheryl might still be alive. Then, out of the blue, Ricki gets a call from the police which seems to put an end to their hopes. BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into the disappearance of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from an Australian beach in 1970. He meets one of the two detectives involved in a cold case review. There's someone the police want to talk to. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard Music: Elizabeth Purnell Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney Editor: James Cook Ricki has always hung on to the idea Cheryl might still be alive. Then he gets a call.
4. I Was Never There	20220119	20220630 (R4)	Nearly half a century after 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer goes missing from an Australian beach, the police make an arrest. Meanwhile, Ricki heads to the other side of the world. BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay meets him in Bristol, where he visits his old family home and catches up with his British relatives as the trial looms. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard Music: Elizabeth Purnell Studio Engineer: Jacques Sweeney Editor: James Cook Nearly 50 years after the disappearance of 3 year old Cheryl, the police make an arrest
5. A Judgement	20220126	20220707 (R4)	Two years after he's arrested and charged with abducting Cheryl Grimmer, Mercury appears in court in Sydney. BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into Cheryl's story. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard Music is by Elizabeth Purnell Jacques Sweeney is the studio engineer and the editor is James Cook
6. The Walk Through	20220126	20220714 (R4)	Frank has left the police but can't let go of Cheryl's story. Jon Kay continues to investigate what happened to 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer, who vanished from a beach New South Wales, Australia more than 50 years ago. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard Music: Elizabeth Purnell Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney Editor: James Cook
7. Mercury's Story	20220126	20220721 (R4)	Jon tries to approach Mercury to hear his side of the story
8. The Girl With Blonde Hair And Blue Eyes	20220202	20220728 (R4)	On the fiftieth anniversary of Cheryl's disappearance, the police make an announcement
Bonus Episode: A New Lead	20231120		Cheryl Grimmer's family are determined to get her case back into court.