Title
Declaration of Trust of land at Oakley, Bedfordshire and Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, being sites for Cottage Homes of the Bedfordshire Regiment and of the Endowment thereof.
Trustees
The Most Noble Herbrand, 11th Duke of Bedford, K.G.
The Most Honourable James Edward Herbert, Marquess of Salisbury.
Amy Debenham, Cheshunt Park, Herts. spinster.
Whereas by a lease of 29 December 1906 made between Herbrand 11th Duke of Bedford and the Trustees
- land at Oakley, described in the indenture, demised to the Trustees for 299 years from 25 December 1906, subject to the provisions of the lease.
And whereas by an indenture of 2 August 1906 made between Frank Gissing Debenham and the Trustees
- land, cottage and garden adjoining at Cheshunt, Herts., described in the indenture, and conveyed to the use of the Trustees as joint tenants.
And whereas the Trustees acquired the said land and premises conveyed to them on behalf of the Bedfordshire regiment.
Witnessed, Agreed and Declared the Trustees to stand possessed of the land and premises, the same to be used as sites for a home or homes for deserving men with their wives, families and other relatives usually resident with them, of the Bedfordshire regiment (including the militia and volunteer battalions) who have become disabled from wounds or from other good cause from service in the regiment either temporarily or permanently as may be admitted in accordance with the rules and byelaws of the home provided. Provided that no member of the militia or volunteer battalions of the regiment shall be eligible as an inmate unless disabled while on service oversees. The said Trust premises shall be called the "Cottage Home of the Bedfordshire Regiment" and administered by a management committee exercising the powers described in the byelaws.
The first committee shall consist of: Major General C.J. Horne (Chairman), Lieutenant Colonel A.N. Lysaght, Colonel J. Hammond, Colonel The Duke of Bedford K.G. Lieutenant Colonel The Marquess of Salisbury, Colonel C.E. Longmore, Lieutenant Colonel W.F. Wheatley, Lieutenant Colonel S. Jackson, Colonel C. Linton.
Agreed and declared that the power of appointing new Trustees, conferred by the Trustee Act, 1893, or any subsequent legislation shall be vested in the Colonel or other senior officer at present commanding the regiment; the number of Trustees to be not less than three.
Expressly Agreed and Declared shall be lawful for the Trustee(s) upon the unanimous request in writing of the committee to sell the said premises or buildings in such manner as the Trustees shall think fit and apply the proceeds as the committee shall think fit.
Provided always that the purchaser of the property shall not be entitled or required to raise any questions concerning the application of the purchase money.
Also Agreed and Declared to be the intention of the Trustees that the premises or proceeds of the sale of the same shall always be used for providing a cottage home or homes for men of the regiment or any other regiment which the Bedfordshire Regiment may be amalgamated,and not for
any other purpose whatsoever.
And Whereas 900 has been raised by the Bedfordshire Regiment to form an Endowment Fund for the cottage homes.
And Whereas the said sum after payment of expenses has been invested in 919 9s 9d London County Consolidated 3.5% Stock to be transferred into the names of the Trustees.
Witness Trustees shall stand possessed of the Stock and any other funds or securities which may be hereafter transferred by way of endowment of the homes. Such funds or securities may be sold or reinvested on receiving written instructions from the committee. The income to be applied at the discretion of the committee to:
1 Defraying all proper charges and expenses of and incidental to the administration of the Trust.
2 In paying all tithes, rates, taxes and assessments payable in respect of the cottage homes.
3 In keeping the said messuages, premises or other buildings with any furniture, fixtures or effects that may belong to the Trustees or the committee insured against loss or damage by fire.
4 In keeping the said premises, furniture, fixtures and effects in good and substantial repair and condition.
5 In the purchase of other furniture, fixtures and effects when required.
6 In maintaining the inmates of the homes if and so far as the committee shall deem desirable, and shall invest any surplus income in the name of the Trustees and hold the same by way of addition to the endowment or shall permit the committee to carry out any extraordinary repairs or improvements to the homes or in the acquisition and endowment of other homes or in any other way to the advantage of the cottage homes of the regiment.
Provided Trustee(s) shall not be personally liable or responsible for the proper application of income or expenditure which they are hereby authorized to leave in the hands of the committee. Said Trustee(s) shall expend all money received by virtue of any insurance in or towards rebuilding, reinstating and renewing such portion of the said Trust premises, furniture, fixtures and fittings as shall be destroyed or damaged by fire, subject to the foregoing provisions.
Signed and sealed:
Salisbury,
Bedford,
Amy Debenham
Witnesses:
R.J. Gurton, Hatfield, Herts. Secretary
E.S. Freeland, 2 Princes Street, St.Marys Gate, solicitor
Rowland E. Prothero, Bedford Office
Walter R. Cave, Bedgford Office, Bloomsbury W.C.
Phillis Debenham (spinster)
Grace Hanklyn (married woman), Cheshunt Park, Herts.
Enrolled in the Central Office of the Supreme Court of Judicature, 11 June 1907 (being first duly stamped).