Hobson’s Conduit Trust is the body responsible for the upkeep of Hobson’s Brook from Nine Wells to the Conduit Head, and then its various underground branches through Cambridge. The Trust in approximately its present form dates from 1899 – see [history page – link] for more details of its early life.
Nowadays, the objectives of the Trust can be summarised as:
- To preserve an historic chalk stream for its ecological and public amenity value.
- To provide a supply of water to the street runnels, Emmanuel, Christ’s and Pembroke Colleges and to the University Botanic Garden.
- To continue to provide a drainage water course and to preserve its character as an example of early civil engineering.
- In pursuance of the above to maintain an acceptable maximum and minimum volume of flow and an acceptable minimum quality of water.
- To secure and preserve a level of funding adequate to support these objectives.
The Trustees are supported in their pursuance of these objectives by professional help, mainly from officers of Cambridge City Council. These officers include the Trust’s Clerk, Engineer and Accountant.
The Trust’s constitution allows for fifteen Trustees; currently there are twelve. If you think you might be interested in becoming a Trustee, please contact the Clerk, [toni.birkin@cambridge.gov.uk – link].
We also have a group of local volunteers who help with various practical tasks along Hobson’s Brook. See our Volunteers page [link] for further details.
As a Registered Charity, the Trust’s accounts and reports for the last five years can be seen on the Charity Commission website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk. Click on “Find Charities” then enter our charity number 204644 in the search box.
You can see a list of the current Trustees here: Trustees page.