Whitley Through The Ages

The intention is that this page should be a a source of information for local people past and present to contribute to so that a better picture can be built up of how the community of Whitley has changed and developed over the years.

Geoffrey Brereton Holt has kindly contributed the three pictures below and provided some background information, but if you would like to contribute please forward detais to Andy Cairns

Geoffrey Brereton Holt's father was born, in 1916 in Whitley, and lived in a house named 'Stockley View' and attended the Village School where he used a slate and chalk during the lessons.

His family moved to Sale, Cheshire in around 1932 but still retained a close friendship with Samuel Cartwright whose mother Annie kept the 'Birch and Bottle' public house.


Stockley View with Geoffrey's grandmother, Ethel Annie Holt (nee Hare) and his father, Leonard Bertram Brereton Holt. Bertram Carlton Holt was from Antrobus.

Whitley Village School scholars and staff, taken around 1925 (Geoffrey's father would have been aged around 9 years old). He is the boy second from left on row 2 (with a striped tie). Geoffrey's godfather, Samuel Garner Cartwright is the fifth boy from the right on row 4 (with a hand on his right shoulder).

If anyone has further details please let me know

Post Card of the 'Millstone Hotel' in Whitley and must date to some time before 1932, because it was sent to Geoffrey's grandmother at 'Stockley View' to tell her that her sister had returned home safely after a visit.
Printed on the back is:- 'A, M. Moore, Photographer, Higher Whitley' - so it was taken by a very local photographer.