The Buchanan Trust - Supporting Veterans

The Buchanan Trust - Supporting Veterans Alan was a machine gunner in the 1/10th Kings (Liverpool), a regiment that had been co-founded by his Father and Colonel Forbes in 1900.

To help those who have served in the armed forces, enabling them to transition into civilian life by offering short term accommodation, accredited training, skills, work experience and employment opportunities in the rural and construction sectors. Robert Buchanan of Bosbury House, the son of a Glaswegian fish hook manufacturer, was a wealthy flour miller from Birkenhead, who made his money implem

enting a new milling process which he came across during a trip to the USA, whilst recovering from Typhoid. The Buchanan Trust was set up in memory of Robert’s eldest son Alan who fell at the 1st Battle of Bellewaarde (Battle of Hooge) just outside Ypres on 16th June 1915, at the age of 25. Alan’s brother Robin (Rab) also served later in the Great War when old enough. The Sailors & Soldiers (Gift for Land Settlement) act of 1916 was passed and allowed the Board of Agriculture & Fisheries to accept Robert’s generous gift to the nation. It was not until 24th September 1918 that the trust deed was finally signed and The Buchanan Trust was formed. Initially 288 acres of The Bosbury Estate were transferred to the management of the Board. This initial transfer comprised Orchard Farm, North Farm, Nash End Farm and some smallholdings and woodland. An additional 500 acres were conveyed in July 1919, comprising Lower House Farm, Green Farm, Hill House Farm, more of Nash End Farm and a number of cottages along with some small pieces of land. The estate was to be divided into smallholdings and let to ex-officers who had served in the Great War. The estate had to be surveyed, new roads laid out and water supplies provided before any building work could begin. By the spring of 1921 work had been completed, and the estate consisted of 14 holdings, 21 cottages and 102 acres of woodlands. Following the 1967 outbreak of foot and mouth disease, when most of the tenants lost their stock, a great deal of reorganization took place. A new Charity Commission Scheme was approved, appointing Herefordshire County Council as the new Trustee, with power to administer the charity. In 1974, the Trust became part of the Hereford & Worcester CC amalgamation, and in 1998 the creation of Herefordshire District Council saw control handed back. On the recommendations of the Charity Commission, Herefordshire District Council advertised for new “independent” Trustees in December 2014 and they were appointed in March 2015. The new Trustees finally took control in June 2016. The new board of Trustees comprise a charity advisor, an ex military person/farmer, a land agent and two direct descendants of the original benefactor. The new trustees have started to implement changes in line with the Charity Commission’s recommendations to substantially increase the number of ex-military beneficiaries. The plans are to provide about 30 almshouses on the estate, many of them being converted farmhouses, cottages and redundant agricultural buildings. Three farms have now been brought back in hand along with the appointment of the estate’s first Farm Manager and Assistant and the 300 acres will now be farmed commercially. This will help fund future and upcoming projects on the estate and provide employment for veterans. When current tenants retire, further acreage will become available for consolidation into the single holding over the next few years.

Last Sunday at the Buchanan Trust Estate was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with ...
21/04/2026

Last Sunday at the Buchanan Trust Estate was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with purpose.

Veteran beneficiaries, members of the Board of Trustees, and friends of the Trust rolled up their sleeves for a truly impactful volunteer day, delivering meaningful improvements across the estate while strengthening connections within our community.

Together, we accomplished an incredible amount:
• Installed an access ramp to the site cabin
• Created a bug hotel and reptile hibernacula
• Built and installed a range of wildlife homes, including bird boxes, a barn owl box, and hotels for butterflies, ladybirds, and bees
• Laid the foundations for a new wellbeing space, with adaptive benches already in use
• Constructed a new communal BBQ area
• Shifted significant amounts of rubble and gravel
• Carried out a full spring clean of outdoor areas: jet washing, tidying, and more

We wrapped up the day with a well-earned BBQ, bringing everyone together to celebrate the shared effort and enjoy the space we’re continuing to build.

It was a fantastic day of collaboration; trustees, beneficiaries, and families working side by side to enhance both the natural environment and the estate’s communal spaces, and this is just the beginning.

Phase 2 will focus on completing the wellbeing space, working closely with beneficiaries to develop its sensory elements through planting, features, and stewardship of the surrounding wildflower area.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and enthusiasm. The impact of days like this goes far beyond what’s built, it’s about community, connection, and creating something that lasts.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Outback BBQ in Madley for their generous support of our armed forces charity. A...
17/04/2026

We would like to say a huge thank you to Outback BBQ in Madley for their generous support of our armed forces charity.

A special shout-out to Mark Osbourne (MD), Julie Evans (Accounts), and Zach in the warehouse for their smooth communication and for providing a generous charitable discount on a new charcoal BBQ and cover.

For our veteran beneficiaries and their families, creating welcoming, comfortable spaces where they can relax and connect is an important part of wellbeing during the transition to civilian life. This support will help us enhance those shared spaces, bringing people together and making a real difference to daily life on the estate.

We are incredibly grateful for the kindness and community spirit shown by the team at Outback BBQ.

Outback







12/12/2025

This is a powerful reminder of why veteran support matters ❤️

After serving for nine years in the REME as an armourer, this Hereford-born veteran faced an incredibly tough period alongside their partner. Like many people across the UK, rising financial pressures took their toll, resulting in the loss of both their home and a small business.

For several months, they were forced to sofa surf and even live out of their car.

Refusing to give up, they reached out to the Veterans Support Centre in Hereford. Through their support, and thanks to a property becoming available via The Buchanan Trust, everything began to change.

In less than four weeks, the process was completed, and they were able to move into a new home just in time for Christmas.

A safe, stable place to live. A chance to reset. A reminder that with the right support networks, lives really can be turned around.

Thank you to the organisations and individuals who continue to stand behind our veterans when they need it most. Your work makes a real difference.

When a simple job turns into something much bigger!A big shout out to Josh Harris for donating his Saturday to the Trust...
11/10/2024

When a simple job turns into something much bigger!

A big shout out to Josh Harris for donating his Saturday to the Trust. For what was going to be a light 'short back and sides' on our fruit trees, sadly tuned into a felling job due to the amount of rot discovered.

Thank you, Josh.

10/08/2024
A big thank you to WSH Logistics Ltd of Ledbury for kindly donating and providing expert and safe transit in delivering ...
26/07/2024

A big thank you to WSH Logistics Ltd of Ledbury for kindly donating and providing expert and safe transit in delivering a telehandler to the Trust.

We remain grateful for all types of donation that helps support our mission, in helping to assist our Armed Forces Community.

Thank you.

109 years ago today, this innocent looking 21 year old along with many other chaps paid the ultimate sacrifice, to prote...
16/06/2024

109 years ago today, this innocent looking 21 year old along with many other chaps paid the ultimate sacrifice, to protect our freedom and never got to experience fatherhood for themselves.

Alan Buchanan fell at the 1st Battle of Bellewaarde just outside Ypres. He was a machine gunner with the 1/10th Battalion King's (Liverpool Regiment).

In the loving memory of Alan, his father Robert Buchanan, gifted The Bosbury Estate in 1918, with the intention to provide employment and housing to anyone that had served their country and were in need.

To this very day the trust grows from strength to strength, continuing to support our Armed Forces Community.

RIP Alan.

Now we’re cooking on gas (or induction hob)!Fantastic progress with our new kitchen currently being fitted and a dry day...
25/04/2024

Now we’re cooking on gas (or induction hob)!

Fantastic progress with our new kitchen currently being fitted and a dry day, allowing a lovely photo of our freshly rendered and painted externals, new windows and new roof. Keep up the good work MC Rawlings Building Conservation Ltd.

This project will transform what was once a tired farmhouse, into a modern, 2 bedroom Almshouse for future Veteran beneficiaries and their families.

A thank you to our funders and facilitators who have made this project possible: The Eveson Trust, Hereford Cathedral, England, Cooper and First Military Recruitment.

@ Symphony Group

The Trust is excited with progress at our latest North Farm project and have received the plans for our new, fantastic k...
22/04/2024

The Trust is excited with progress at our latest North Farm project and have received the plans for our new, fantastic kitchen. A big thank you to Duncan Barry(Ex Royal Engineer) of Jewson’s Hereford, with the units made by Symphony.

This project will transform what was once a tired farmhouse, into a modern, 2 bedroom Almshouse for future Veteran beneficiaries and their families.

A thank you to our funders and facilitators who have made this project possible: The Eveson Trust, Hereford Cathedral, Homes England, Saffer Cooper Consultancy and First Military Recruitment.

Jewson

There we have it, 7.5cu of concrete successfully poured on our North Farm – Phase 3 project. That's the ground floor co...
25/01/2024

There we have it, 7.5cu of concrete successfully poured on our North Farm – Phase 3 project. That's the ground floor complete; onwards and upwards we go!

This project will transform our tired farmhouse, into a modern, 2 bedroom Almshouse for future Veteran beneficiaries and their families.

A thank you to our funders and facilitators who have made this project possible: The Eveson Trust, Hereford Cathedral, Homes England, Saffer Cooper Consultancy and First Military Recruitment.

Address

Estate Office, North Farm, Bosbury
Ledbury
HR81JY

Telephone

+447342874385

Website

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