I HAVE always enjoyed researching and writing about the history of Salisbury and the surrounding villages – indeed, I have a backlog of articles waiting to be published in future editions of ‘Bygone Salisbury.’

So it is with great pleasure that I can announce my involvement with the very first ‘Festival of Salisbury History’, a five day event to take place this August at various venues around Salisbury. ‘Old Days in New Sarum’ is one of the events and takes place on Saturday, August 25 at the United Reform Church in Fisherton Street.

The four presentations will cover the old shops and businesses of Fisherton Street, the story of Salisbury’s last gas holder and gas works, Salisbury in Old Film – a marvellous collection of footage throughout the ages, and finally, the story of the man who bought Stonehenge.

It is 100 years since Sir Cecil Chubb donated Stonehenge to the nation. He purchased the ancient monument – lot 15 with 30 acres of adjoining downland for the princely sum of £6,600 at auction. Sir Cecil had been sent to the auction by his wife to buy some chairs confirming the thoughts of many women that you can’t trust a man to do anything! Incidentally, the action was not at the Palace Theatre as some believe, but the New Theatre in Castle Street.

Although Stonehenge had been a popular attraction since the Middle Ages, when Chubb handed Stonehenge over to the nation in 1918, it was in a very poor state of repair. Many visitors had chipped off parts of the stones as souvenirs and even engraved their names into it. It was Sir Cecil Chubb’s impulse buy that marked a turning point in the story of how Stonehenge was transformed from neglected ruin to national treasure!

n ‘Old Days in New Sarum’ Saturday, August 25 – 1.30-6pm. Tickets £7.00 available from The Information Centre, Fish Row and The History Bookshop, 98 Fisherton Street.