The Farming Families of The Leen
2024
In this year there are currently 3 generations of the Norman family living and working at the Leen.
2000’s to present
The farm is worked by Rich and Pip, Chris and Sarah Norman with brother in law Mathew Phillips (Sally (Norman) is a teacher) managing the chicken unit. The farm has the Hereford Herd, 550 milking cows, a large chicken unit and a 500kW Anaerobic Digester. 15% is managed for wildlife.
It takes a big effort by a lot of people to keep it all going.
Not forgetting the environment.
1970’s to the present
Tony Norman and Babs Smith were married in Pembridge Church in 1972.
They went to help on Tony’s parents’ farm near Gloucester until there was a fire at The Leen in 1974 and went to help there.
They decided to stay in partnership with Babs’ father- Frank Smith to run the farm. The farm had the Hereford Herd, a 120-cow Dairy Herd, Potatoes, Wheat, and Barley.
It was intensively farmed with pesticides and fertilizer until the 1990s when the farm was turned Organic and vegetables were grown as well as Milk produced
A field of Organic Broccoli
Poplar tree planted in 1973
The 1940s to the 1970s
Babs’ parents - Frank and Belle Smith farmed at the Leen with the Hereford Herd and other beef cattle, a flock of Sheep, a few Pigs, laying Hens, Geese, and Guinea Fowl. Growing Potatoes, Sugar Beet, Swedes, Wheat, Barley and Oats. Frank was very interested in the Hereford Herd and became Chairman of the Hereford Herd Book Soc. Judging Herefords throughout the country.
The 1920’s to 1940’s
Frank’s father - William Smith bought the farm together with neighbouring farm The Lowe Farm in 1919. He had been brought up and farmed at Bidney farm (Dilwyn) before that and also trained as a Land Agent. He had a substantial Hereford herd but ran a mixed farm as well.
He was keen on Herefords and took on the Leen herd. He judged and sold Herefords all over the world. He also showed his cattle and was pleased to win the Royal Show championship in 1925.
He had major sales in 1923 and 1939
Times were tough in the 1930’s –William sold off The Lowe farm and during the Second World War he sold The Leen and rented it back. The lease was passed to his son Frank Smith.
Earlier Smiths
William’s father James Smith was born at Bidney farm (Dilwyn) in 1847 and became a well-known Hereford breeder and Hop farmer.
James’s father Henry Smith also farmed at Bidney farm (Dilwyn)
The Leen 1912 to 1919
The farm was bought by Mr Garbutt together with the famous Leen Herd of Herefords. Unfortunately, his son was lost in the First World War and the farm and herd were sold in 1919 to William Smith.
Before 1912
(When sold by Mr AP Turner) the farm and herd was run by two generations of the Turner family, beginning with Philip Turner who moved to the Leen in 1845 (his grandfather had started the herd of Herefords at Aymestrey Court (Wigmore) in 1780). Philip built up a huge reputation as a breeder, shower, and seller of Herefords. Winning hundreds of medals throughout the land.
Many buyers from the US came to The Leen by ship and train, stopping at the New Inn for several nights while visiting other farms in the area. Phillip eventually had a sale in 1883 before handing The Leen over to his son AP Turner who had been farming at Strangworth (Titley)
Before 1845
Refs:
The Leen website: https://theleen.co.uk/gallery/
Sport and Country Magazine 1950
Kelly’s Directory of Herefordshire 1944
Jakeman and Carver Directory and Gazetteer of Herefordshire 1914
Herefordshire Portraits (Jakeman and Carver) 1908
Kelly’s Directory of Herefordshire 1900
Littlebury’s Directory and Gazetteer of Herefordshire 1876
History, Topography, and Directory of Herefordshire 1858
1842 Tithe map- Geoff Gwatkin maps
