Creative associations

Creative Wiltshire - celebrating the best of Wiltshire's creative talent

Name: Diane Cliento
Description: Actress
Connection to the community: Australian actress who lived near Hullavington in 1970s. Previously married to Sean Connery. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Tom Jones in 1963. She moved to Scotts Farm (known locally as the Rat's Castle) near the River Avon in the autumn of 1972. It was rather dilapidated and she had the help of students from the 'nearby' International College of Continuous Education where she had once been a pupil. She uses the property as a retreat and had an Australian painter to stay so that he could 'clear his mind' on his return to London. At this time she was starring in television roles, appearing on the West End stage and producing films and by 1978 had turned the Wiltshire farm into a commune. She had written two novels by 1978 after meeting Ian Flemming who suggested she try. she made a film with the BBC called 'One Pair of Eyes' which was filmed at Scott's Farm. She was also in 'The Wicker Man'.
Items: References https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/australian-biography-diane-cilento https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/48073727/4470460

More information about creativity in Wiltshire can be found on the Creative Wiltshire website