Summer Times, November 2004 - Old Scarborians

Despite retiring a decadeago Derek Whitaker, ofWrea Head Close, Scalby,never lost his passion fortaking pictures.Born in Leeds, he moved toScarborough with hisfamily when he was a child and lived withhis mother and father Hilda and NormanWhitaker and his sister Joyce in a number ofhotels run by his parents, including theGolden Last hotel, Eastborough, Lord Nelson,in Foreshore Road and the CliftonHotel, in Queenʹs Parade.Mr Whitaker went to the Convent schoolin Queen Street with his sister, before goingon to the former Boysʹ High School.A love of all things photo‐graphicprompted him to leave school at the age of14 and go and train with Grays, in Westborough,where he stayed for severalyears.His sister Joyce Butler said:ʺPhotography was his world. He wasstill doing it even when he retired. Peopleused to ask him to do their weddings andhe would say he would do it forthem because he knew them.ʺHe and his father also built up a reputationfor taking Walking Pictures along Scarborough,Whitby and Bridlington seafronts.Mr Whitaker will perhaps be best rememberedas the official photographer for theGrand and Royal Hotels, and during the30 years he photographed functions therehe met the stars of the day, including Lulu.Local photographer Max Payne whowas friends with Mr Whitaker for 5022years, said he was inspired by MrWhitaker to pursue his own career.Mr Payne said: ʺDerek was one of the oldschool, the perfect gentleman who wouldalways stand up if a lady entered the room,doff his trilby hat to people in the streetand was always smartly dressed andwith a bow tie in his work as a photographer.He was a very special man who willbe sadly missed by his friends and family.”Mr Whitaker also loved to travel and hadbeen all over the world, often accompaniedby his sister.He was an accomplished cook and was amember of the local Historical AircraftSociety and enjoyed building and flyingmodel aircraft and attended the woodturningcentre in Snainton.A bachelor, Mr Whitaker had lived inScalby for 35 years. He leaves his sisterJoyce.Editor: Obituary with acknowledgementto the Scarborough Evening News.MEMORIESTHE SCHOOL AT WARWhilst much of the magazine is taken upwith members’ memories, it was suggestedin our last issue that we include aspecific section for memories of TheSchool at War.Such memories need not necessarily bethose of ex‐pupils serving in the war. Thememories of those still at school duringthat time would be of interest to manyyounger, and not so young members. Therationing, the blackouts; the air raidwarnings; the school “garden” and“farm”. Where did the eggs go whichwere produced by the hens the boys fed?