A BEQUEST made more than 80 years ago for half a dozen rent-free properties in Haddington has been deemed “impossible to implement”.

John Richardson, who was a clerk of Haddington Town Council, died in 1940.

Theresa Laing, chairwoman of the town’s modern day community council, highlighted that an unusual – but generous – request had been made by Mr Richardson in his will.

In a report prepared for the community council’s annual general meeting, she wrote: “One of the most recent actions we have been working on has been the John Richardson Bequest.

“John Richardson left monies in his will for six cottages to be built for deserving people of Haddington and they shouldn’t pay rent, etc.

“As this would be impossible to implement, we have asked that rather than the monies generated from the rent going into the Common Good Fund for the whole of East Lothian, we have asked that the said monies should be used for the Parish of Haddington.

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“We have asked that representatives from Haddington and District Community Council should sit on the Common Good Fund committee.

“We have been advised that a working party may be set up by East Lothian Council to look into this.”

In 2016, the Courier reported that East Lothian Council oversaw 45 trusts, some of which dated back to the 18th century.

At that time, the Richardson Bequest, which was described as being “for housing for deserving residents of Haddington”, had more than £1.3 million.

East Lothian Council has been asked for a comment on the current situation.