Lola Lamour, the professional stage name of our speaker this week As well as talking about her colourful life she is also a professional singer with a penchant for styles from the 50s.
Lola told us about her life working for Lord Lichfield in the late 1990’s until his death in 2005. She started out in banking but opted for a change and worked at the private residence of Lord Lichfield, Shugborough Hall. She was an assistant – but one who turned her hand to anything! Cleaning, lighting log fires, unpacking and repacking guests clothing, helping in the kitchen and serving meals at formal dinners and informal gatherings. She saw the rich and famous of the era as he hosted his shooting weekends. Guests included royalty, pop stars and aristocracy.
Staff were treated with respect and regarded as part of the family and she likened her experience to that of Downton Abbey. She got to know Lord Lichfield and his wife, Lady Asquith, very well. She wanted to give her father a special birthday present and asked Lord Lichfield if he would be kind enough to take a photo of her. He surprised her by setting aside two hours and gaving her a full photo shoot session at various locations on the Estate.
She remains in contact with Lady Asquith.
