History

History

The Buchanan Trust was set up on 24th September 1918 in memory of Robert Buchanan's eldest son Alan, who fell at the 1st Battle of Bellewaarde just outside Ypres on 16th June 1915.

Based just outside the village of Bosbury in Herefordshire, the Trust assists with the resettlement of Military Beneficiaries and their readjustment to civilian life.

History
  1. 1852

    Robert Buchanan

    Robert Buchanan born in Glasgow.

  2. 1900

    Robert Buchanan

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

  3. 1915

    Alan Buchanan

    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.

  4. 1916

    Sailors & Soldiers Act

    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.

  5. 1919

    500 More Acres

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

  6. 1920

    Death

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

  7. 1921

    Bosbury Estate

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

  8. 1967

    New Scheme

    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.

  9. 1998

    New Trustee

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

  10. 2015

    Charity Commission

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

  11. 2016

    New Board

    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.

  12. 2017

    New Accommodation

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

  13. 2018

    Almhouses

    The Buchanan Trust becomes are registered almshouse provider.

  14. 2018

    Grant Funding

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

  15. 2018

    Grant Funding

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

  16. 2018

    VSM

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

  17. 2018

    Veteran Community

    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.

  18. 2020

    Vision

    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.