At the general meeting of the Latvian Welfare Fund on 6-7 March 1971, a proposal was made by the Bedford branch that a country property should be acquired where larger gatherings and events could be held and provide a permanent home for older people. The proposal was warmly welcomed, and a committee formed to take this forward. Eventually, Catthorpe Manor was found at a price of £124,000, located in the East Midlands, and easily accessible from many other areas of the country (30 km from Leicester, 20 from Coventry, 8 from Rugby, 130 from London). Contracts were signed on 29 May 1976 and Ādolfs Sīlis was appointed as the first manager. The main house, built in 1925, consisted of 3 floors and 30 rooms that were immediately habitable. At the other end of the gardens were 3 other houses. Volunteers from all DVF branches came to help with redecorating and furnishing. A club (bar) and function room was created in the former stables, additional residential areas in the former garages. On the 29 May 1976 the celebratory inauguration of Straumēni took place. It proved very popular and at the annual midsummer festivities (St John's Day - the most Latvian of festivals) up to 1800 people have been able to take part on “their own” property.

The management of “Straumēni” was extremely successful - loans were paid off and savings made for future needs. In 1981 “Straumēni” was registered as an old people’s home which paved the way for added subsidies from the government. In 1983, an orchard was planted, improved parking for cars arranged, a field was cleared to make a fish pond, a play area for children was created, sports equipment was acquired. A building was devoted to the infirm, with single and double rooms, office, kitchen, and facilities for treating the sick. The function room was enlarged with a new adjoining room that together with the bar could accommodate up to 500 people. It was called the Swedish Hall as the funding came from Swedish Latvians.

Beyond the older buildings a field was set aside to build detached bungalows or two-storey houses, for rent or purchase. A new building (the Baltic Lodge) served as another function hall for various purposes, often attracting young people of non-Latvian backgrounds, and a cafe run by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Latvian Welfare Fund. Since 1988, a building with a clock tower has housed the UK Latvian Documentation Centre and Archive, run by Inese Auziņa-Smith.

A book was published in 2000 marking the 25th anniversary of the acquisition of Straumēni, extensively illustrated, describing the history of the manor and its changing use. It had become a significant part of Latvian society both in a cultural sense and in caring for elderly Latvians. Major capital works took place during 2015-2016 to modernise the manor house to ensure it met the standards required for a modern hotel and wedding venue, attracting non-Latvians as well as remaining a meaningful place for Latvians – indeed, their pride and joy.