Ian Handford's Series of Significant People

SERIES OF SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE who lived in Torbay in the 20th century -  not always famous - as researched by Ian L Handford (President - Torbay Civic Society) 

-------- 

HERBERT WHITLEY

Herbert Whitley was born on January 2, 1886 into a family made rich after his father wanted to become a brewer. Although an accountant, he partnered a postman and a redundant soap boiler to establish the Warrington Wilderspool Ale brewery when ale suited drinkers of the north which ensured fortunes were made before Ewart Whitley's death in 1892. His wealthy widow and five children then moved to the Primley Estate in Paignton by purchasing the huge Belfield Estate, at the time a third of Paignton. 

Herbert was always more interested in creatures than humans and after an unhappy departure from Cambridge he joined his brother William at Primley and devised a plan to create a pedigree breeding centre of animals commencing with gun dogs and great Danes before moving to more exotic stock. A shy man said to be terrified of woman, Herbert now bred, exhibited and won prizes for his Whitley finches, dutch rabbits, Wyndotte poultry and the stars, his Blue and Black Cropper pigeons. His dream was always to fill his trophy cabinet which he achieved.  

The brothers employed Freddy Bowen and his brothers to conserve some of the world's rarest domestic animals by not crossbreeding. Sheep, dogs, ponies and horses of Devon and eventually exotic animals (many unknown to locals) were witnessed on their land. By 1907 William was married and lived at Barton Pines which sported stables, carriage coaches and horses giving a quality of life far removed from the one his bachelor brother Herbert chose. 

The brothers' vision was to create a Zoo, yet Herbert slowly became top breeder in the Devon Royal Show Milking trials in 1908 repeated in 1909. With Primley horses being used by the fire service, a stud of nine Whitley breeds was established. He then purchased a stallion from Tatton Park (for £3,700 guineas a staggering sum) but made money when his horses were sold and Tatton blood fees were charged. 

During the War years Herbert employed less staff but continued to expand his stock until eventually creating a livestock “supermarket” able to supply prize stock to the whole world. However, the concentration of mixed livestock started to attract rats and soon Herbert was forced to pay “a tanner” (6d) for every 12 rat tails caught by locals.

Locals were highly suspicious, especially when crates arrived at the Paignton rail head with stencilled notices warnings like “Beware – Live Bear”. After the War ended Herbert decided to give free admission to the Primley Gardens and Zoo although in having to deter those wishing to annoy animals he was eventually forced to charge a nominal entrance fee. This brought him into conflict with the Revenue who reported the fees as being taxable whereas Herbert always maintained his service was educational.  When the High Court upheld the Revenue's position an incensed Herbert closed his gates. 

In the 20's under the management of Billy Wilkinson and his son Billy Junior (known as “Brass and Brains”) their poultry farm produced over 40 varieties of quality eggs the Wilkies and Primley Blue which were sold around the world. Meanwhile, Herbert had donated land at Clennon Valley to Torbay Council and even supplied plants to the municipal gardens at Roundham. He reopened his gates to the public in 1927 who soon found some of the finest Tropical and Subtropical Houses of the world.  But by 1937 history repeated when the Revenue man returned to make a claim for taxes.  That saw another High Court Judgement suggesting a Society or Trust be formed so that the authorities were kept at bay - but his idea was rejected by Herbert who closed his gates again.

Sadly, what he could never foresee was a Second World War was looming which resulted in his gates never reopening under his ownership. Once the War was over he founded the Paignton Zoological and Botanical Gardens Whitley Trust yet remained at Primley until his death on September 15, 1955.

IAN'S COMMENT.  Herbert was buried in the family grave at St Peter’s Church Buckland in the Moor alongside William who created there a bit of Whitley country.