A Film Premier

        About Lady Almina Carnarvon

Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon : Chatelaine of Highclere Castle lived at Bicknoller, in  Somerset,  from 1943-1949.

Spend an afternoon recalling Lady Carnarvon and see a film about her life.                 

                          ON WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL 2012
                  At Bicknoller Village Hall from 2.30pm onwards

                  With Almina's Godson, Tony Leadbetter
                               ( formerly of  Bicknoller )
 

                                                and
                                  Almina’s biographer

                               William Cross, FSA Scot
                                        Author of

                       The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon

 The village of Bicknoller in Somerset was where Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon, of Tutankhamun fame ( and more recently  linked to TV’s Downton Abbey), retreated in 1943, to escape the horrors of the London Blitz. She made her home in six acres of apple orchard  at Orchard Grove,  Bicknoller from 1943 until she moved to nearby Cleeve in 1949.  In 1951, Almina transferred to Bristol, where she lived until her death in 1969. Throughout these long years, Tony Leadbetter lived under the safe roof as the Countess. Tony’s aunt, Alice Butler, was Almina’s housekeeper at Bicknoller, a role inherited in 1946, by Tony’s mother, Anne Leadbetter, who served Almina until her own death, also in 1969. 

Why did Almina come to Bicknoller? Apart from the domestic staff who else lived with her, in secret?   How did she spend her time? What impact did the Countess have on the village, in the 1940s?  These and many other questions will be considered.

On 18 April, after introductions, a short film ( of 30 minutes, specially made for the  visit to Bicknoller ) will take you through the life and times of Almina, Countess of Carnarvon.  This will be followed by an opportunity to ask  William Cross any questions arising. Later, William will introduce Tony Leadbetter and ask him about his memories of Bicknoller village and its inhabitants in the years he spent there in the 1940s. There will also be an chance for visitors to ask Tony anything they might wish to know.

There will also be an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of one or other of the three books on Almina, Countess of Carnarvon, written  by William Cross, FSA Scot.

Contact William Cross for further information

williecross@aol.com