Company History

Herbert Starts in Business

1919 saw Herbert Smith return from the task of helping to produce aircraft in Norwich for Mann Egerton. The job he had left as a carpenter on the Honingham Estate did not exist by this time, so with four young children and a wife to support he started work on his own account, having just £50 capital, a will to work and a shrewd mind.

1919

Herbert Starts in Business

1919 saw Herbert Smith return from the task of helping to produce aircraft in Norwich for Mann Egerton. The job he had left as a carpenter on the Honingham Estate did not exist by this time, so with four young children and a wife to support he started work on his own account, having just £50 capital, a will to work and a shrewd mind.

1919

H Smith - Carpenter & Builder

Herbert grew the business during the 1920s building a few houses and carrying out small works contracts.

1920s

H Smith - Carpenter & Builder

Herbert grew the business during the 1920s building a few houses and carrying out small works contracts.

1920s

Initial Growth

The 1930s saw an improvement in the volume of available work and produced substantial growth. 1939 was the beginning of the pause during the war years, although Herbert ‘senior’ carried out a large programme of bomb damage repair work in Norwich.

1930s

Initial Growth

The 1930s saw an improvement in the volume of available work and produced substantial growth. 1939 was the beginning of the pause during the war years, although Herbert ‘senior’ carried out a large programme of bomb damage repair work in Norwich.

1930s

George & Bert Join Herbert in Business

In 1945 sons Herbert (Bert) and George returned from the armed forces, and the three formed H. Smith & Sons.
Herbert, Bert and George undertook many large housing contracts after forming the partnership. Sadly in 1958 Herbert (Senior) passed away.

1940s & 1950s

George & Bert Join Herbert in Business

In 1945 sons Herbert (Bert) and George returned from the armed forces, and the three formed H. Smith & Sons.
Herbert, Bert and George undertook many large housing contracts after forming the partnership. Sadly in 1958 Herbert (Senior) passed away.

1940s & 1950s

Herbert & George in Partnership

Herbert and George continued working in partnership building Local Authority housing projects, nursing homes, schools, industrial work, renovations and refurbishments and the like.

1960s

Herbert & George in Partnership

Herbert and George continued working in partnership building Local Authority housing projects, nursing homes, schools, industrial work, renovations and refurbishments and the like.

1960s

John & Alan

Work continued with similar projects. In 1970 Bert decided to retire; shortly after George was joined by two of his sons, John and Alan. During 1974 trading transferred to the limited company.

1970s

John & Alan

Work continued with similar projects. In 1970 Bert decided to retire; shortly after George was joined by two of his sons, John and Alan. During 1974 trading transferred to the limited company.

1970s

104 New Homes in Costessey

Completion of 104 new homes in Costessey working in partnership with South Norfolk District Council.

1980s

104 New Homes in Costessey

Completion of 104 new homes in Costessey working in partnership with South Norfolk District Council.

1980s

Maingay House opened by HRH Princess Anne

Maingay House in Aylsham (a sheltered housing complex providing a mixture of 40 houses and bungalows) was completed for Broadland District Council and opened by HRH Princess Anne.

1983

Maingay House opened by HRH Princess Anne

Maingay House in Aylsham (a sheltered housing complex providing a mixture of 40 houses and bungalows) was completed for Broadland District Council and opened by HRH Princess Anne.

1983

George Retires

George retired as Managing Director of the Limited Company in January 1990 and carried on as a consultant for two years. The Smith family also run a Partnership enterprise, which incorporates the Quarry Works Industrial complex of six units.

1990

George Retires

George retired as Managing Director of the Limited Company in January 1990 and carried on as a consultant for two years. The Smith family also run a Partnership enterprise, which incorporates the Quarry Works Industrial complex of six units.

1990

New Offices

The partnership is also responsible for the new office building which is in part for the Limited Company use, and ten offices for letting, all of this in the quiet village of Honingham.

1992

New Offices

The partnership is also responsible for the new office building which is in part for the Limited Company use, and ten offices for letting, all of this in the quiet village of Honingham.

1992

1998

In 1998 we embraced the Internet with both our website, originally at www.h-smith.quarry-works.co.uk, and head office email facilities. Since this inital launch the Limited company’s website has moved to www.smithofhoningham.co.uk and the partnership has established a website at www.smithproperties.co.uk

Websites Launched

1998

In 1998 we embraced the Internet with both our website, originally at www.h-smith.quarry-works.co.uk, and head office email facilities. Since this inital launch the Limited company’s website has moved to www.smithofhoningham.co.uk and the partnership has established a website at www.smithproperties.co.uk

Websites Launched

More Space

In the year 2000 due to an increasing demand for space to store stock materials and plant machinery a satellite yard was purchased on the Frans Green Industrial Estate, this allowed much of the stock that required long term storage to be removed from Quarry Works. This created two distinct sites, one solely a “builders yard” the other a base for the growing demands on administrative duties.

2000

More Space

In the year 2000 due to an increasing demand for space to store stock materials and plant machinery a satellite yard was purchased on the Frans Green Industrial Estate, this allowed much of the stock that required long term storage to be removed from Quarry Works. This created two distinct sites, one solely a “builders yard” the other a base for the growing demands on administrative duties.

2000

Enter the Fourth Generation

The fourth generation of Smiths’ have started to work within the Limited company. Kimberley Smith joined the accounts department in 2006 and continues to further her knowledge in this field.
Jonathan Smith joined the company in 2007 after successfully completing a Batchelor of Science Degree in Construction Management at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford.

2007

Enter the Fourth Generation

The fourth generation of Smiths’ have started to work within the Limited company. Kimberley Smith joined the accounts department in 2006 and continues to further her knowledge in this field.
Jonathan Smith joined the company in 2007 after successfully completing a Batchelor of Science Degree in Construction Management at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford.

2007

Cley Marshes Visitor Centre

Cley Marshes Visitor Centre completed for Norfolk Wildlife Trust

2007

Cley Marshes Visitor Centre

Cley Marshes Visitor Centre completed for Norfolk Wildlife Trust

2007

Taverham & Cawston Business Parks

During 2013 Smith of Honingham (Properties) Ltd was established with the acquisition of Beech Avenue Business Park in Taverham and The Old Winery Business Park in Cawston.

2013

Taverham & Cawston Business Parks

During 2013 Smith of Honingham (Properties) Ltd was established with the acquisition of Beech Avenue Business Park in Taverham and The Old Winery Business Park in Cawston.

2013

100 Years

To celebrate 100 years since Herbert started in business we exhibited at the Royal Norfolk Show. Our stand included a display showing the history of the company, together with the virtual reality tour of The Willows at Carbrooke, a development of 32 new homes for Broadland Housing Group

2019

100 Years

To celebrate 100 years since Herbert started in business we exhibited at the Royal Norfolk Show. Our stand included a display showing the history of the company, together with the virtual reality tour of The Willows at Carbrooke, a development of 32 new homes for Broadland Housing Group

2019