A Brief History

Robert Buchanan born in Glasgow.

Co-founding member of 1/10th Battalion King's (Liverpool Regiment).

16th June 1915 Alan Buchanan aged 25, a machine gunner with the 1/10th Battalion King's (Liverpool Regiment) was killed at The Battle of Bellewaarde Ypres, Belguim.

The Sailors & Soldiers (Gift for land settlement) Act was passed, this allowed the Board of Agriculture & Fisheries to accept the generous gift of The Bosbury Estate, it was Robert's intention to provide employment and housing to anyone that had served their country and were in need.

September 21st, 1st Deed of Gift, 288 acres passed to the Board.

May 1919 2nd Deed of Gift an additional 500 acres passed to the Board.

18th February Robert Buchanan died in Pau, France whilst recovering from an operation, his body is repatriated and buried in Bosbury churchyard.

Spring of 1921, work on the estate is completed and comprised of 14 holdings, 21 cottages & 102 acres of woodland.

Following the Foot & Mouth outbreak of 1967 most of the Estate tenants lost their stock, a great deal of re-orgaization took place, A new Charity Commission Scheme was approved and The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries & Food (MAFF) were appointed the new Trustee with the power to administer the charity.

Herefordshire Council take over as Corporate Trustee of the The Buchanan Trust when the amalgameted councils are split.

On the recommendation of the Charity Commisssion, Hereford Council advertise for a new Trustee to take control of The Buchanan Trust.

May 2016 a new independent trustee is appointed - The Buchanan Trustee Company Ltd. It comprised initially of a charity advisor, land agent and a direct desendant of the original benefactor.

Planning permission was granted and the first vacant property is converted into 2 modern flats.

The Buchanan Trust becomes are registered almshouse provider.

The Buchanan Trust receives approval for grant aid from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), now Homes England.

HCA approve grant funding for the remodelling or building of 5 new accomodation units.

With the initial assistance of the Royal British Legion (RBL) the Trust appoints a Veteran Support Manager (VSM) with 25 years military experience.

Planning permission is granted to convert redundant farm buildings into 6 new 1 and 2 bedroom bungalows, with a communal area and overnight visitor accomodation.

The Trustee has continued to implement changes in line with the business plan and the Charity Commissions recommendations to increase the number of ex military beneficiaries. The plan is to have 20-40 almhouses on the Estate as well as small business units and farms.