Cecil Chubb

Sir Cecil Herbert Edward Chubb, 1st Baronet (14 April 1876 – 22 September 1934), was the last private owner of Stonehenge, which he donated to the British government in 1918.

He was born in Shrewton, a village four miles west of Stonehenge, the eldest son of Alfred and Mary Chubb. Alfred "Fred" was the village saddler and harness maker, as was his father before him. He attended the local village school and then Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury, where from the age of 14 he worked for a time as a student teacher. It was whilst playing for Bishop Wordsworth school cricket team he played against a team from the Old Manor Hospital and he met his future wife. He then attended Christ's College, Cambridge where he was awarded a double first in Science and Law, leaving with Master of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees.

In 1902 he married Mary Bella Alice Finch, whose Uncle Dr W Corbin Finch owned Fisherton House, which was used as a mental health asylum (now the Old Manor Hospital). Five years after her uncle's death in 1905, the business and buildings were transferred to her. Following financial difficulties, a limited company was formed to run the hospital in 1924 and Sir Cecil became chairman. Whilst he was in charge, the hospital became the largest private mental hospital in Europe. There is a plaque in the hospital commemorating his life and work. Sir Cecil also served on Salisbury City Council, was a Justice of the Peace and became a successful racehorse owner and breeder of Shorthorn cattle. [ [http://www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk/stonehenge.html Stonehenge ] at www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk]

Stonehenge was put up for auction in 1915 by the Antrobus family following the death in World War I of the only surviving male heir. Cecil Chubb's interest in the local area led to him attending the sale, with him bidding and purchasing Lot 15 on a whim for £6,600, as he wished to avoid the stones being acquired by someone overseas. It is also speculated that he bought the stones as a present for his wife, only for her to be less than pleased with his new purchase.

He gave Stonehenge to the nation on 26 October 1918. The deed of gift included the following conditions 1) That the gate money for the remainder of the war should go to the Red Cross 2) That there should be free admission for residents of local parishes (Shrewton, Netheravon, Durrington and Amesbury), later extended to the seventeen parishes of the old rural district of Amesbury, 3) That the entry fee should be not more than a shilling and 4) That no buildings or erection other than a peg or similar should be located next to the stones. These covenants are no longer enforceable, although local residents still receive free admission.

To mark his generosity he was made a baronet in 1919 by Lloyd George. His arms feature a trilithon representing Stonehenge.

Sir Cecil lived at Bemerton Lodge, where Bertie, the future King George VI was a regular guest. He liked the estate because it was small, secluded and away from London.

He died of heart disease in London on 22 September 1934 aged 58, leaving behind his wife and only daughter. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,930563,00.html?iid=chix-sphere]

A plaque commemorating his birth was erected in the late 1980's on the house in Shrewton where he was born. It was unveiled by his two surviving nephews. [http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gallery/history/shrewton_picF0006.jpg]

External links

* [http://www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk/stonehenge.html Stonehenge ] at www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk
* http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,930563,00.html?iid=chix-sphere
* http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gallery/history/shrewton_picF0006.jpg

References

* Hooper, Arthur "Life in the Gardeners' Bothy" Malthouse Press 2000
* Smith, Gerturde "The Old Manor Hospital"