1

VILLAGE LIFE

DATES FOR THE DIARY ISSUE 431 FEBRUARY 2019 Monday 4th Bibury Village Hall Committee Meeting 7.00pm Friday 8th Bibury Cricket Club Duck Race Presentation Catherine Wheel 8.00pm Saturday 9th Concert By Flute Orchestra of London in St Marys Church Barnsley 7.00pm Thursday 14th Coln Crafters meet in Bibury Village Hall – All Welcome 2-4.00pm Monday 18th Bibury AFC Bingo Eyesdown 7.45pm Wednesday 20th Bibury with Winson W.I Bibury Village Hall Speaker on Oak & Furrow Wildlife Hospital 2.15pm Wednesday 20th Deadline March Village Life Issue 12.00noon Tuesday 27th Rural Cinema Bibury Village Hall Doors Open 7.00pm for 7.30pm The Children Act (2018) – Drama based on a novel by Ian McEwan MARCH 2019 Friday 1st Drinks & Canapes Bibury Church for helpers at the BibLit (Bibury Literary Festival) 5.30pm Monday 4th Bibury Village Hall Committee Meeting 7.00pm Wednesday 13th Bibury Gardening Club re-starts Bibury Village Hall 7.15pm Thursday 14th Coln Crafters meet in Bibury Village Hall – All Welcome 2–4.00pm Wednesday 20th Deadline April Village Life Issue 12.00noon Wednesday 20th Bibury with Winson W.I Bibury Village Hall – “My Life as an Air Traffic Controller” 2.15pm Saturday 23rd Bibury Literary Festival

VILLAGE LIFE PANEL Treasurer: Mr Roger King, 8 Pike Villas, The Pike, Arlington, Bibury 740510 Secretary: Mrs Wendy Challinor, Chestnut Grove, Arlington, Bibury 740021 Mr Neil Harvey: Technical Director, 2 Meadowlands, The Pike, Arlington 740295 Mr Chris Dunn, Four winds , Ablington 740823 Mrs Sarah French, 11 Arlington Fields, Bibury 740698 Mrs Claire McDermott, 5 Aldsworth Road, Bibury 740190 Mrs Sarah Smith, 7 Arlington Fields, Arlington 740214 Please Note: if you wish to put an article or advert in ‘Village Life’ magazine it should be sent to [email protected]

AN APOLOGY FROM LAST MONTH'S TYPIST AND COLLATOR In my eagerness to get the typing and collating done before Christmas to give the distributors plenty of time to deliver their copies before New Year and myself time to prepare the imminent arrival of Toffee's puppies due on the 27th December - I made several mistakes - I tried to correct some and made even more! So apologies for - 1. placing the Flute Orchestra of London Concert on the Saturday 9th February in Bibury and not in the correct church which should be St Mary's BARNSLEY. 2. Printed some pages upside down 3. For collating over 400 copies with the pages 7 and 8 the wrong way round. By then I was despairing of ever doing anything right! So my abject apologies for proving once again that 'more haste' often means; less speed!' Wendy Challinor

2

P.S. the puppies finally made an appearance on 30/31st December - all 8 and Mum are doing well! THOUGH FOR THE MONTH - bearing in mid last month's mistakes1 When a thing is done advice comes too late!

BIBURY, BARNSLEY AND WINSON CHURCHES Bibury Vicarage, Gloucestershire, GL7 5NT [email protected] 01285 740301 Dear Friends

It was five years ago that Joanne and I were given our first opportunity to visit the Holy Land. We returned last year and were once again overwhelmed by the experience. It’s hard to put into words just how extraordinary the Holy Land is. It’s not simply being in a place which is truly the cradle of history, nor the strange, wonderful and repeated moments when you see and engage with places that have lived in your mind since childhood. But it is the reality of being in a place that has the power to transform. It’s also stunningly beautiful.

For most people, the Holy Land is on their ‘bucket list’ but they hold back from going for a number of reasons. The first is nervousness about the Middle East and terrorism, and the second is the sheer complexity of arranging such a trip. The third is who to go with and the potential horror of traveling with undesirable companions and the fourth is often the unarticulated question, is this a site seeing trip or a Spiritual journey? Bearing all this in mind we (Joanne and I) have been invited to lead a trip to the Holy land in May next year (2020) We want to take a small group of no more than 25 and it is our hope that all will come from this little corner of the South Cotswolds! With them we hope to share the sheer delight of Nazareth and Bethlehem, the majestic beauty of Masada, Qumran, the Dead Sea and the Judean wilderness, the horrors and challenge of Yad Vashem (The holocaust memorial) the energy of Jerusalem, and the sheer tranquillity of the Sea of Galilee where one feels closest to the genesis of the Christian faith.

Anyone is welcome and I am pretty confident of guaranteeing a life changing experience.

Joanne and I will be hosting a presentation and meal for anyone interested in joining us, but, in the meantime do take a brochure (From the back of the church) or let Joanne and I know of your interest. We look forward to sharing with you somewhere that is so important to us.

Moving to the more local I would draw your attention to Victoria’s article, in this month’s Village Life, about the forthcoming BibLit (Bibury Literary Festival) A local event for local people, do please come along. If you would like to help in ANYWAY do please come along to drinks and canapes in the Church at 5:30 on Friday 1st March.

Also, locally, I have been asked about gauging interest in the idea of a regular lunch or tea event which would provide an opportunity to meet up with old friends and meet with new ones. There are some lovely events that happen at different times during the year but this would seek to provide a regular time and place with transport provided. Do please let me know if you think such an event has any merit, or if you might be willing to help in any way.

May 2019 continue to be good to you. And may you know the love, hope, peace and joy of the Lord Jesus Christ this Epiphany season. . With every blessing Tim

3

VACANCY We are looking for someone to help with weddings at St Mary’s Church in Bibury - to set up and clear up the church afterwards. It usually takes about two hours and weddings are usually on a Saturday afternoon. We are offering a £40 fee per wedding and you would have the dates well in advance, and of course if you have other commitments, we could arrange cover. If you would like to find out a bit more about this ‘occasional verger’s’ position please do speak to me or the vicar. At present we only have about 8 weddings listed to take place in Bibury this year so it would not be too onerous. Please call if you would like to discuss this. Jackie Colburn 01451 860212 Revd. Tim Hastie-Smith 01285 740301

Service February Schedule 2019 Bibury Barnsley Winson Sunday 3rd 11.00am 9.30am Common BCP Holy Worship Holy Communion Communion

Modern language Traditional language Holy Communion Holy Communion Sunday 10th 11.00am 9.30am Common BCP Holy Worship Holy Communion Communion

Modern language Traditional language Holy Communion Holy Communion Sunday 17th 11.00 am 9.30am Morning Prayer Morning Prayer

Modified Matins Sunday 24th 11.00am 9.30am Morning Prayer Common Worship Holy Communion

Modified Matins Modern language Holy Communion Sunday 3rd March 11.00am 9.30am CW Holy BCP Holy Communion Communion

Modern language Traditional language Holy Communion Holy Communion

Churchwardens Jackie Colburn Elizabeth Gledhill Lavinia Sidgwick 01451 860212 01285 740836 01285 720682

Davina Wynne-Jones Vicar 01285 740638 Revd Tim Hastie- Smith 01285 740301

COVER SKETCH This delightful sketch of Hansel and Gretel was drawn by Ava- Rose who was five years old at the time of last year's Flower show. Her efforts won her Second prize in the 4-7 years old category. 4

ARLINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH Are you suffering? Where is God? Ecclesiastes 3: 1 (and on to 11 if you wish to look it up) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven

Winter is a season of waiting, cold dark days, for many in our community right now its a time of sadness and trial. It seems to me we have an unusual amount of suffering right here in Arlington and Bibury in this present season, and for those who are Ill, Grieving, Waiting for Operations or Feeling Lonely also for those family and friends close to them, living in this “Suffering Season” is tough, sad and worrying, often the Where is God in all of this? Or, If there is a God why does he allow this? Questions are asked.

When we are in the midst of a suffering season all we can do is live with hope, hope that this will all end, that it will end is one thing we can be certain of, and a new season will start. But where is God in all of this? God Is with us through all, its not his fault that we are suffering but he is there walking with us, listening to our cries for help, giving us hope, time is in his hands, he has held all our other seasons, those of Joy and Happiness so Where is he in all of this suffering? Right here with us no matter how dark this time is he is holding us in his hands, no matter what happens if we ask he will answer and grant us a sense of peace.

What makes the difference is how we choose to react to him. If we choose to be angry, bitter, resentful and blame God for this suffering season we tend to shut God out of our lives and his peace in unavailable to us, but if we choose to speak to him in prayer and ask for his help, he will hold us in his hands throughout and lift us into a place of peace, no matter what happens and how bad it gets pray and ask God to help. Even if you have never been to church or prayed before have faith and try it.

I heard of a family in the Cotswolds who like so many are not alone in their suffering, their son died at a young age, he was a great scholar, cricketer and a loving happy character, then bang one day he was dead. 20 years later the boy’s parents are still full of bitterness, anger and blame they have no closure on their son’s untimely death. It has eaten away at them every day for the last 20 years, a ball and chain of emotion all-consuming dragging at them constantly. On the other hand I have a friend in Cumbria, similarly her son died aged 8 he too was full of life and promise, she still grieves, its only natural we are human, but she thanks God for the time they had together and remembers him lovingly and fondly, she has been a great comfort to others counselling in similar situations of loss, God has used her for a greater good and she tells me it is so rewarding sharing her story of hope with others, she is in a new season, one of peace and hope. The difference is having a relationship with God, you can shout and scream but take time to sit quietly and ask God for help and he will eventually lift you up in his arms of peace, and into a new season.

Here at Chapel we pray every week for our community especially for those who are suffering whether they are Christian or not, anyone who is in need of specific prayer we can be contacted in various ways. We have a mail box to the left as you go through the gate to the chapel where you can drop a note, we have an email address [email protected] or you can phone either Jean 740451, Debbie 740366, Sharon 740679 or Gill 740404. If we hear on the grapevine of someone in need be assured we are already praying for you, but please still contact us with specific prayer requests i.e. pain relief in a particular part of the body or peace for a particular member of the family. All prayer requests are treated with privacy and integrity. God bless you during this season. Services every Sunday 10.30am All welcome.

5

BIBURY CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL Sharing a passion for excellence! This term the children in Oaks will be focusing on their topic of weather. They will be learning about climate, atmospheric pressure and the causes of different weather features, as well as recording the weather and finding out how meteorologists are able to provide forecasts. Acorns will be busy this term with lots of exciting learning opportunities planned including a visit from the Fire Brigade and the creation of a contemporary street as part of their topic on The Great Fire of London. Sport - An enthusiastic football team headed off to Cirencester Arena for the small schools football tournament on Monday 14th January. Oliver was thrilled to score a stunning goal. The team won one match and the children demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship as we have to come to expect.

“Cristian, Matthew, Theo, Oliver, Sam and Abbigail went to the Cirencester Arena to play football, we won a game, drew a game and lost the rest! Oliver scored the winning goal and we had lots of fun taking part”

Cristian Year 5 In December our PTA held a Christmas Community Auction. With the funds and donations received on the night and a generous donation from a local Bibury resident we have been able to start the process of replacing and purchasing new fiction and non-fiction books for our school library. We have also purchased six new laptops with two of these going to the teachers so they can continue the exceptional standard of learning given to our children. Thank you to all in our local community who assisted in making our First Auction a huge success, which allowed us to swiftly aid the school with the above learning resources. To receive regular updates from the PTA and news of our forthcoming planned events, please like and follow us on our Facebook page Bibury C of E PTA. We appreciate all the support. Thank you, Bibury PTA., Suki Pascoe, Head Teacher ‘*Great Oaks from little acorns grow*’ Bibury C of E Primary School * Tel: 01285 740268 * E-mail: [email protected] *for more information take a look at our website: www.bibury.gloucs.sch.uk or come and visit us. Bibury PTA can be contacted directly on [email protected]

BIBURY AFC In the last six weeks we have only played twice which has resulted in one defeat and a draw. We are bo0ttom of the League 3 points behind Lydbrook.

February Bingo is being held on Monday, 18th February – Eyes down 7.45 p.m.

To anyone interested – please note – the Clubhouse will be opening for the Rugby Six Nations Matches and, also, opening for The Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, 15th March, 2019.

BIBURY CRICKET CLUB The latest renewal of the Bibury CC Boxing Day duck race proved to be another successful event. It was a bright and cold morning and that brought out a large crowd to the banks of the Coln. The charity duck race raised £ 1670 for the charity of choice of the winner. The race was won by a 6 guest staying at the Swan Hotel, Mr Ronnie Clarke from West Sussex, whose chosen charity is The Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice in Arundel.

The presentation to the winner and charity will be on Friday February 8th at the Catherine Wheel at 8pm, everyone welcome.

The fixtures for next seasons campaign in the CDCA Division 1 have just been released and preparations for the new season are gathering momentum. We welcome all new players irrespective of ability, age or gender. So, if you would to like play cricket at one of the most beautiful grounds in the Cotswolds, do contact us.

Leslie Smith - Bibury CC 07867 467433

BIBURY VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE January is a quiet month for the committee as we await the AGM and look forward to the formation of the new committee from the representatives of the organisation which regularly use the Hall and those people who have kindly offered to be co-opted onto the committee. The AGM is not until the 31st January and the new committee will then meet early in February so we will let you know of the new committee and officers in next month's issue together with the date of main events for 2019.

BIBURY PARISH COUNCIL The Chairman Cllr Richard Williams and the Clerk Irena Litton met with County Cllr Shaun Parsons and the Area Highways Manager in December, to discuss the possibility of improving parking and various schemes to reduce speeding. A summary of this meeting can be found in the January Minutes. The Members were extremely disappointed that the idea of extending the 30mph zones and introducing a 20mph zone were knocked back and requested that Cllr Shaun Parsons tries to pursue these initiatives further. Introducing Gateways which clearly denotes the entrance to a built up area (similar to those at Barnsley) was given a more positive response; so the Council will be pursuing this with the assistance of Highways.

The Councils new website should be live by the middle of February www.bibury-pc.gov.uk; information includes Agendas, Minutes, Councillors details, Accounts, Various Council Policies, Council Action Plan, News Items, What’s On calendar, Places to Stay and useful links. Please email me if you wish to advertise an event or would like to add to the website [email protected]

The new defibrillator is on order and will be installed on the outside of the Football Club. The Parish Council wishes to thank Cotswold District Council and Bibury Football Club for their generous donations and assistance.

- A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY; THE TREORCHY MALE VOICE CHOIR WILL RETURN TO PERFORM A CONCERT AT ST MARY'S CHURCH, BIBURY, ON SATURDAY 1ST JUNE 2019 AT 7PM.

TICKET PRICES & BOOKING DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON.

BIBURY WITH BARNSLEY W.I. Our first meeting of the new year took place on January 16th in Bibury Village Hall when Liz welcomed everyone with a “Happy New Year” greeting.

7

Our first meeting of the year is always very busy with subscriptions to pay and plans for the year to discuss.

Our focus at this meeting was to promote greater understanding of the issues relating to the Resolutions which are being debated in all WI’s in the UK before members vote for one of them. We began with a “test your knowledge” exercise where members were invited to respond to questions relating to each resolution. Then we continued to highlight the main points in each resolution before we concluded with opportunity for comment or questions before we voted.

Our Federation, GFWI, will collate the votes from each Gloucestershire WI and send them to NFWI where along with all the other Federations, the votes will be analysed and two resolutions will go forward for discussion at the National WI AGM at Bournemouth in June. Delegates representing all WI’s in the UK will vote and if the two resolutions receive sufficient votes the NFWI will campaign and lobby the government for change to make a positive difference in our society.

Previous WI campaigns have been very successful and have targeted a whole range of issues. Last year there was unusually just one Resolution “Mental Health Matters” that was debated and accepted at the NFWI AGM in Cardiff. This emphasised the importance of this issue and the WI is working at lobbying the Government to improve the care and support for people with mental health issues.

We concluded with a delicious tea while enjoying chatting to friends, some light relief after a thought-provoking afternoon!

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 20th February 2019 at 2.15p.m. in Bibury Village Hall, when we will be welcoming Barry Wicks to speak to us about the Oak and Furrows Wildlife Hospital.

Visitors are always very welcome. It’s worth looking at our website www.biburywithbarnsleywi.org.uk if you think you may be interested in coming along to a meeting. We will be very pleased to see you. Liz Franklin - President Bibury with Barnsley WI

RURAL CINEMA ON Tuesday 26 February IN BIBURY VILLAGE HALL

The Children Act (2018) – Drama based on a novel by Ian McEwan

Cert: 12 – Run time: 1 hr. 43 min.

Starring: Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Fionn Whitehead, Ben Chaplin, Eileen Walsh, Anthony Calf, Rupert Vansittart, Jason Watkins Director: Richard Eyre

THE CHILDREN ACT is a British drama in which a judge must decide whether to force a teenage Jehovah's Witness to have a life-saving blood transfusion. 8

Doors Open 7pm for film at 7.30pm Refreshments Available Entrance £3.50

BIBURY BOOK FESTIVAL

Private lives and private passions are subjects that are guaranteed to fascinate us all. That is why biography is the theme of the very first Bibury Book Festival (or BibLit for short) which launches next month on Saturday 23 March.

It will be very much a village event, with both local and national well-known names taking part. These will include Rory Bremner, the impressionist and comedian; Sandra Howard, former top model and wife of the politician Michael Howard; and Professor Jane Ridley, biographer of Edward VII and Queen Victoria.

In addition, Angela Levin will talk about her biography of Prince Harry, crime writer Christopher Wilson will be discussing how to create a detective, and Jessica Douglas-Home will be unveiling the life of William Simmonds, an unsung hero of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Bibury-based Victoria Summerley will be interviewing Charlie Hart about his book Skymeadow, which tells how gardening helped him cope with the deaths of his parents.

Barnsley-based Anne de Courcy, biographer of Diana Mosley and Lord Snowdon, will be among those taking part in an evening panel discussion on how to write memoir and biography, chaired by Bob Low, himself a biographer of W G Grace.

Talks and discussions will be held in the parish church, and there will be a pop-up bookshop in the village hall, where the WI will be serving snacks, teas and cakes. You can buy tickets for individual talks, for the whole day, or for the whole day plus the evening discussion, and these are available from the BibLit website, www.biburyfestivals.com. Prices start at £7 per talk, £6 if you book before 7 March 2019. A day pass gives entry to all the talks, including the evening sessions with wine and canapes. For a full list of concessions, please see the website.

We will also be giving away 10 free day passes to the festival. Please submit your entries, with your name, address and telephone number, to the BibLit box in the Post Office. Closing date for entries is 1 March 2019.

HEAVENS ABOVE Oh well this is the dawning of the age of Aquarius this month and a good month for achieving great things, luck and exciting happenings for many. Uranus meets with Venus over the early weeks of the month promising romance for many but the end of the month looks an official time to do business with many planets meeting together. A lot of energy about them as well.

TIME FLIES The list on the wall say things to do But I can’t do them all, but will do a few I’m very enthusiastic and I’ll do my best Tick off three or four then have a rest! A cup of coffee always does the trick Then I’ll carry on as the clock goes tick Enjoying the challenge and the list starts to shrink But times marching on and I’m starting to think I’ve got a Gremlin living in my clock Moving time forward as it goes Tick tock ! 9

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM VAL SMITH (NEE EMBURY) “I have been researching my family history for 20 years now and most of it originated from the Bibury and surrounding villages. I was particularly interested in the write up of old village life and the mention of Mr.Embury keeping the roads clean. [see the Village website http://www.biburyvillage.uk/oldvillagestores.html] My ancestors actually owned Embury cottage in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s and I was wondering if there is any other information on the family living in that locality within the village archives please? Thank you so much for your time and would love to hear as and when convenient.” If anybody does have any information then please let me know (Alan Franklin [email protected]) and I’ll pass it on to Val.

BIBURY GARDEN CLUB

A quick reminder that Bibury Garden Club reconvenes next month, with a talk by Bibury National Trust ranger Ellie Castle. We’ve got a great programme lined up for 2019, including a private tour of the arboretum at Colesbourne Park with Sir Henry Elwes. Why not come along and find out more on Wednesday 13 March, in the Village Hall, at 7.15pm. £3 entry for non-members, which includes tea/coffee and cake.

COLN CRAFTERS Do you have a craft or sewing project you have never managed to finish? Would you like to learn some new craft skills and do not know where to start? Do you fancy having a go at making some vintage inspired fabric wreaths - then come and join the Coln Crafters.who meet on the second Thursday each month and we resume meetings this month on 14th February. from 2 - 4pmpm in Bibury Village Hall. If is a very relaxed group, a chance to finish one of your unfinished projects; learn some new skill; or just come a knit and a chat or just join us for a cup of tea or coffee. Charge £3 per session includes Coffee and a biscuit. Come and join us! All welcome!

ROUND AND ABOUT

We must begin by sending our best wishes for speedy return to health to Neil Harvey who suffered a bout of pneumonia that developed very quickly and necessitated him being rushed to hospital. He is making good progress but it is perhaps a timely warning with all the coughs and colds going the round to be watchful of sufferers just in case it is more serious!

There have been some changes around the square with Father Felix moving in to Number 22 and Emma and Jonathan moving into The Bothy near the Walled Garden and Bibury Court.. There have also been movement up at the Pike where Mark and Emily from Number 2 have moved to Swindon whilst they search for a new home and we have yet to discover who has taken their place. We wish all those new to the village a warm welcome and hope that they will enjoy living join our community.

On a more concerning note we have heard of a series of burglaries and attempted break- ins into garden shed etc over the recent months in Arlington and Ablington - so please can we all be vigilant and look out for anything suspicious - remember to note down any Vehicle registration number/ colour or make of car or van

10 out of place or the description of suspicious individuals just in case it later might be the important information to help solve a crime!. Evidence that spring is just around the corner is everywhere - snow drops and aconites in the gardens, hazel catkins in the hedgerows. It is time to start to think about getting everything straight for Spring and the National Trust seem to have the same idea with the work they have undertaken on Rack Isle, cutting the reeds and grassland and trimming the willow stems.

Saturday 9th February 7pm St Mary the Virgin Church, BARNSLEY

An Evening with

The Flute Orchestra of London and Friends

Join us for a varied evening of musical entertainment with a programme of family favourites and some new experiences too.

Bach, Mozart, Weber and Bizet to Broadway and Beyond

Julie Wright, Nicholas Foster and colleagues on Piccolo , Flute Alto, Bass and Contra Bass Flutes, Clarinet and Base Clarinet

Admission Free - Donations welcome towards raising funds for the restoration of the West Window of St Marys the Virgin

The Parochial Church Council are very grateful to the musicians for their generous support and for waiving their performance fee.

11

FROM FURTHER AFIELD

The Arts Society Cotswold February Lecture On February 13th, 2019 will see the next lecture of The Arts Society Cotswolds entitled MacDonald Gill: Architect, Artist and Mapmaker with Caroline Walker. MacDonald “Max” Gill is best known for his pictorial map posters of London Underground and his painted map panels for iconic buildings such as Lindisfarne Castle. His architectural legacy is to be found in arts and crafts cottages in Sussex and Dorset. We will gain fascinating insights into the work of this remarkable artist. Lectures begin at 11.00 at the Warwick Hall, Church Green, Burford OX18 4RZ. Non-members are welcome (suggested donation £10). For more information see our website www.theartssocietycotswolds.org.uk ______

And did you know- courtesy of Mark & Jane Stanga, who recently purchased The Steps, 14 The Street, Bibury as their UK base, and whose main home is in Arlington, Virginia!

[Excerpted and adapted from: http://letstourengland.com/2012/05/03/the-connection-between-arlington-row-in- bibury-england-and-the-american-arlingtons-including-arlington-cemetery/]

The Connection between Arlington Row in Bibury, England, and the American Arlingtons, including Arlington Cemetery The Arlington name spread from England and now most US states have a city called “Arlington.” The original Arlington in the USA, and the most famous one by far, is Arlington, Virginia, which includes Arlington National Cemetery.

Edmund Custis married the daughter of John Smithier of Arlington, Bibury in the English county of Gloucestershire. They moved to the “United Provinces” and founded a tobacco plantation. Arlington, Virginia was named after the Custis estate, their 17th century homestead in Northampton County on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The Custis family originally owned the land on which Arlington is located, and George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of George Washington, eventually inherited it. G.W.P. Custis built what is now called “The Custis-Lee Mansion” on a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. in order to have a facility in which to store mementos of his adopted grandfather, George Washington. Many of Washington’s prized possessions, including his battle tents from the Revolutionary War, were maintained and displayed here for years, and the rich and powerful frequently visited the estate. When Custis died, he willed the property to his daughter, Mary. She eventually married a young Army officer, Robert E. Lee, and Arlington became their home until the outbreak of the Civil War. Arlington was for many years the estate of Colonel Robert E. Lee. Lee graduated at the top of his class from West Point Military Academy and faithfully served his nation as an Army Officer throughout the Mexican War and then in Engineering and Cavalry assignments throughout the young American nation. At the onset of the Civil War, after first refusing the command of all Union forces, he volunteered his services to his home state of Virginia. During the course of the war, the Union Army seized his former estate and made it a headquarters. In 1864, with Union dead piling up throughout the Washington area, the search for a suitable site for a military cemetery resulted in a recommendation from Major General Montgomery Cunningham Meigs (the Union Quartermaster General) that the national government appropriate Lee’s former estate and turn it into a military burial ground. Meigs, a Southern native, had remained loyal to the Union and reportedly hated Lee for his service to the Confederate cause. Out of the death and destruction of the Civil War, and from this personal hatred, was born Arlington National Cemetery.

12

13