Building on a family tradition of varnish making in Haltwhistle stretching back to the 1850s, Smith and Walton Ltd was formed in 1930 by the energy and foresight of Douglas Smith, his father Frank Smith and Thomas Walton. This was in the dark days of the worldwide depression and desperate unemployment in Haltwhistle.

With an enthusiastic and dedicated workforce at the Hadrian Works, the Company prospered and developed an international reputation for innovation, producing very high-quality Hadrian Paints for industrial and domestic use. Smith and Walton became the main employer in Haltwhistle.

In 1961, Douglas Smith and his mother set up this Trust to thank the workforce and the people of Haltwhistle for their contribution to the success of Smith and Walton Ltd.

The original five trustees were Mr Douglas Smith, Mrs Mildred Smith, Mrs Hilda Smith and soon Lt. Col. John Clark joined as the representative of Haltwhistle Town Council and the Rev. Leslie Wilson as the representative of the Bishop of Newcastle