A sort of genius… © Peter Carroll Approx: 2240 words

Reading about history, looking at bygone photographs and trying to imagine how it was then and maybe what might have been - save for certain larger than life personalities - is clearly food for thought.

Such are my thoughts as I research the history of my home town. I wonder how it would now be in Paignton if two prominent millionaires, one from the US and the other from Liverpool had not come to live there.

Isaac Singer was determined, influential and generous with his employees and did so much to put Torbay on the map in his time. He was a man with a mission, and his womanising was renown, he probably had more mistresses than the fancy cakes and buns he put on for the kids of his employees at party time. in the ‘pavilion.’ - his beloved home known as Oldway.

The other millionaire made his mark in early part of the twentieth century. Whereas Isaac Singer was flamboyant and outgoing and lavished the high life, this man was quite the opposite, shy , quiet and a self confessed misogynist. His turning was positively birds of the feathered kind But one thing they had in common, he was stubborn, determined and certain in his mission. He had a vision which would manifold and grow, and still brings in the crowds to this day . But not without a few stumbles on the way.

When as a boy, his mother presented him with two canaries it sparked off something that would generate and grow and take over his life - something that would consume all his energy with nothing hardly left to spare for personal relationships. He started to breed and exhibit finches, Wyandotte poultry, blue and black cropper pigeons and even Dutch rabbits.

His destiny was set and without him we would surely be the poorer, for not only did he strive to protect endangered species but also the natural habitat in an area like Slapton Ley which was due to be commercialised. He stepped in, purchased the land to preserve as it was. It is still a perfect nature reserve - a credit to the man with vision.

His name was Herbert Whitley, the founder of what is now known as Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.. No doubt one of the most popular attractions in Torbay. His vision was to create a collection of flora and fauna from all over the world.

He leased, then bought Primley house, a veritable mansion with its large acreage from the Belfield family. Local people noticed wooded buildings and structures starting to appear, one resembling a racecourse stand it was heard to be said. What was it all about, the local fraternity were curious and it wouldn’t be very long before they found out.

Moving to Paignton gave Herbert the chance to purchase and breed endangered animals.. He was ecstatic to receive the first monkeys in 1910 and 1911 and the first of the Primley exotic birds, a pair of sulphur crested cockatoos which were to be the foundation of his ornithological collection.

A shire driven yellow farm wagon was seen to pick up closely guarded crates of wild animals from Paignton station, taking several trips to deliver them to the elusive millionaire who had bought the white mansion in Primley Hill. What was afoot? Such going’s on were unheard of in the small town and of course there were those who did not like the idea one iota. “Supposing one of ‘em got away, what then?!”

His vision was starting to materialise, more fencing and wooden buildings were being erected, there was so much coming and going and there was a certain buzz in the air. It didn’t take long for the local’s to realise that a Zoo was coming .. That “Mr. Whitley is employing all sorts of people to help him.” and “he pays quite well so we mustn’t moan about it spoiling our town must we?”

And in 1923, the Torbay Herald Express reported the Zoo was opening to the public and all the hard work in preparation was about to be realised and enjoyed by a public who were simply taken aback

- most of whom had never seen a dangerous wild animal in the flesh.

But there was much still to do before Herbert’s vision was complete

All seemed to be going well until HM Customs and Excise intervened and Herbert was summoned to appear in Paignton Magistrates Court in March 1924. He was absolutory livid!

He could not believe his ears when, leading up to his summons, the tax man demanded he should pay tax on his modest gate takings, “But why?”

“It’s entertainments tax,” was the reply and seemingly there was no getting away from it. He tried though , this outwardly quiet and timid man had his moments. “Why, when London Zoo, Plymouth Aquarium and Torquay’s Natural History Museum are exempt, what is the difference? My exhibitions are as much , if not foremost of an educational nature, and like the afore mentioned should not attract entertainment tax.”

But the bench’s findings were adamant. Herbert, dressed in his work clothes, apparently stormed out of the court and promptly closed his zoo on principle. It was not a question of the money, his aim was for the public at large, those with like interests, should enjoy his valuable collection, to give everybody the opportunity to see animals they would not normally see in those days when travel for the ordinary working class was mainly local and there was no television, and wild life films were rare.

His minimal charge of 1/-d and 6d for children barely covered overheads anyway but he felt such a charge should be made in order to purvey the sense of value and quality.

Despite public outcry and numerous reports and views in the press, Herbert would not budge one iota. Although he obviously planned to reopen eventually - having realised public interest. But the closure would serve his purpose, he made good use of the three years break to build up more varied exhibits. Tradesmen were busy, busy making and building cages and modifying the landscape to meet the needs of his new exhibits. He was a stubborn man, cared not about what other zoo’s did or exhibited, he wanted to create a zoo which would be exclusive and unique according to his own expectations. He was the sort of man who trusted only that which he had built up himself. He smoked like a trooper it was reported, undoubtedly the reason for his eventual demise, from outward appearances he would seem stand offish and arrogant yet he was known to be kind and generous in many ways.

But come June 1927 the zoo was in business again. Herbert relented “in the interest of public education” announcing a charge of 1/2d including tax for adults and 6d tax free for children.

“Thank you, Mr. Whitley” was the Torbay Herald & Express’ headline and Herbert was set to share his pleasure with a host of visitors far and wide and local too. All seemed to go smoothly for a while despite a tragedy which occurred on 5th October, 1931 when a 67 year old Zoo painter Fred Gilbert, mauled by a lion sustained fatal injuries. The outcome of the inquest concluded that it was a freak accident, that Gilbert working between two caged enclosures did not see the lion approach behind, taking his arm and hand through the bars of the cage. But more stringent rules were brought in.

With the trials and tribulations incurred only a millionaire could have sustained the immense project coupled with Herbert’s sheer enthusiasm and desire to share his knowledge of the other creatures who, with us, share life on earth.

More problems arose regarding charges, tax and the over riding question of what constitutes entertainment as against education and there were comings and goings of all manner of people and the press. It seemed even a man as determined as Herbert Whitley had his breaking point when, in 1939, war was declared, the final straw he concluded, he just had to close and sell his animals once and for all.

I am thinking once again, what if - what if it hadn’t been for a certain Reginald Goddard, founder of Chessington zoo in Surrey, another man of Herbert’s true grit, a man that had started with his own pet shop to a new sort of open Zoo that was Chessington, he even had the clout to have Southern Railway build a special station about a mile away from his zoo to bring in thousands of curious Londoners. His new concept was a huge success - so he must have been gutted when, with the outbreak of war in 1939, he was obliged to close being so close to London. What would he do with his precious collection of animals and the like.

In the papers, in the news were reports of children being evacuated to the safety of the country away from the pangs of air raids. This was his cue. He knew of Herbert Whitley of course, had often visited Devon for health reasons. He had an idea which blossomed when he heard of Herbert’s decision to foreclose. His plan to evacuate his precious stock to Herbert’s zoo. But was it too late, and would Herbert go for it? …..

But Goddard was a persuasive guy, because of his knack of conversation and because he was an extrovert he had that certain way with him of which Herbert actually admired. In the nick of time Herbert cancelled the forthcoming sale and entered into a five year partnership with Goddard.

Surprisingly they seemed to hit it off well and Goddard was awash with new ideas as his animals were transported by train and road. Space was not a problem at Paignton and so busy hands made new enclosures and fencing for the new stock. He showed Herbert his ideas for a man made lake filled by the stream that meanders though the zoo, and then a miniature railway tracked around the perimeter of the lake enabling passengers to enjoy the many varieties of wildfowl and water creatures.. Dolly Widdecombe, was one of the first train drivers known for her cheerful charisma, stopping at various places enroute when a particular bird was making its presence felt, startling passengers with sounds and sight. It was all a joy to behold and proved to be very popular with visitors and Herbert too, who was most impressed and, given the versatility and exuberance of his new partner, he felt less stress and his life began to feel a lot better.

He gave 14 acres of land in Clennon Valley to Paignton Council for building a sports centre and many of his semi-tropical plants also given as a gift, still survive in the rock walk at Goodrington.

Although he had no particular leaning for women there was of course the exception, that being his late mother - and maybe another, Gladys Salter whom he had known for a lifetime, who was his chief assistant come housekeeper - but nothing more, despite the usual rumours spread by the scandal makers. She was there when he died on 15th September, 1955 aged 69. I believe he was not a misogynist at all, he was simply overcome by his shyness towards the opposite sex which remained with him all his life. But what made up for what he may have missed by way of romance in a marital relationship he was abundantly fulfilled because of his love of the natural world, perhaps he never realised his true potential, perhaps he never would no matter how long he may have lived, because he was that kind of guy, forever striving to discover and to learn.

Perhaps it was Dr Jean Delacour, eminent naturalist, explorer and president of the world peacock association - who knew Herbert well - who gave him a fitting ,simple but apt description in saying he was a sort of a genius.

My wife and I have been visiting the zoo for some thirty years and will never tire of its absolute magic. In that time we have seen changes galore - remembering how it was, when the entrance was alongside a cottage which used to be the offices in Herbert’s day and there was a small hatch at the side where you would pay and enter through some iron turntable gate. Then you would track down towards the restaurant where there were numerous cages containing a wonderful selection of birds .

In a way much of the charm has gone to make way for the modern entrance and how we care much more for the environmental issues. But all for a good cause. The aim now being to exhibit wild life in their natural habitat as much as possible and to breed endangered species .

Much has to be said for those behind the scenes who strive to keep this wonderful gem of Paignton up to the mark, right down from management to the keepers, gardeners, and many others involved in maintaining what has become one of the most popular zoo’s in Britain. And not forgetting the volunteers who have helped to make lots of money for this charitable organisation to support various projects like the recently opened Crocodile swamp.

About the Author:

Aged 75 now retired, Have written for magazines and newspapers

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