Hollands Pies - from Humble Haslingden Beginnings....

John Whittaker  - Who started the small business (Confectioners) 

from No.77 Lower Deardengate in 1851

"77 Deardengate - from where it all started" in the 1850s

  The business later moved from here and up to moved up

 to 10 Church Street, and later moved yet again

to 11 Market Place, before moving to much larger and

more permenent premises in John Street (see below)

Photo: thanks to Clifford Hargreaves.

by 1911 the business was at 11 Market Place

Photo: UIL Bazaar 1911.

By 1907 the business moved to much larger and more permenent premises

 on John Street - see next photo the building is still there today (2021)

from 1907 the business was in John Street (see photo of building below)

Poster above: Many thanks to Chris Kirby

First van 1927

New information shows that Hollands Pies was initially founded by John Whitaker in 1851 (but would not have used the name "Hollands" in their title at the onset, this would probably have been some years later when Richard Holland took over the business from his father-in-law, sometime in the 1880s, and it was another 10 years on, when in 1890 Walter Holland (then aged 19), bought the confectionery business from his parents. . .

John Whitaker is listed in the 1881 Census as a Confectioner with the address, 77 Deardengate, this is the address where the origins of "Hollands Pies" first started back in 1851 (It is where the newsagents is in Deardengate which for a long time was owned by Jack Hayton). John Whitaker was the head of the family. Living at the same address was Richard Hy. Holland (32 years and son-in-law), Sarah Ann Holland (35 years and step-daughter), Walter Holland (10 years and Grandson), Sarah Alice Holland (8 years and grandaughter) and Ada Annie Holland (4 years and grandaughter). (See below for a more detailed family history)

So for the record it appears that Richard Holland married John Whitaker's daughter - (Sarah Ann), and that their son was Walter Holland. 

The business later moved from 77 Deardengate, to No. 10 Church Street. Then they later moved again to No.11 Market Place before much later getting their more permanent building situated in John Street (1907) which is still there today, (shown above -1st photo on left). Deliveries took place from the works in John Street by horse and cart (see photo above -bottom left - this photo must have been took from "Sunnyslack Farm" or maybe Downham's fields because you can just about make out in the background - Haslingden Parish Church and also the Paghouse Mill) The photo above right bottom shows the workforce celebrating the 1911 Coronation outside their works in John Street (Mr. Walter Holland the head of the Company is shown seated, third from the right on the front... Theres also a price list from 1931....showing Meat Pies at 1s. 10d per dozen (wholesale) - I think thats equivalent in todays reckoning to about 8p a dozen... Click over photos to enlarge......

Added 11th February 2009 John Ashworth whom farms at Sunnyslack Farm (next to Coldwells) kindly informs me that his farm was previously owned at one period by Mr. Walter Holland (Holland's Pies) and that they used to raise their own beef for their pies and also did their own slaughtering at the farm. He still has a room in the farm which was used them days as a cold store and this room actually has a stone ceiling to it, even today. 

Added January 9th 2011 

David Stevenson has kindly sent in this information on the Holland Family....

Hi Bryan,

I have further information on the Holland family which may be of interest. This shows that in 1851 when John Whittaker opened a confectioners shop in Deardengate, his future wife, Sarah Titley was employed as a cook at Flaxmoss House for William Turner a prominent mill owner and JP.

On the 8th October 1852 at The Parochial Chapel in Haslingden, John Whittaker married Sarah Titley (whose father was Walter Titley, an attorney at Alton in Staffordshire).

The 1861 census shows John and Sarah Whittaker living in Deardengate together with Sarahs daughter Sarah Ann aged 16 who was born in Macclesfield on the 25th July 1844, with the surname Titley and no fathers name recorded on the birth certificate.

In 1866 Richard Henry Holland, born at Wood farm in Staffordshire, joined the Whittakers to work in their shop, after an apprenticeship at Bollands in Chester and Moseleys in Accrington.

On the 2nd November 1869 Richard and Sarah Ann were married at St. James Parish Church, also this year they bought into the confectioners business and changed the name to Hollands.

The 1871 census shows John and Sarah Whittaker,Richard and Sarah Ann Holland all listed as confectioners living in Deardengate together with Richard and Sarahs son Walter at 5 months old.

The 1881 census has John Whittaker, Richard and Sarah Holland with their children Walter,Sarah and Ada living at 77 Deardengate.

On the 21st November 1882 my grandmother Florence Edith Holland was born to Richard and Sarah Ann in Deardengate.

Around 1890 Walter Holland took over the business and changed the name to Walter Hollands.

In1891 Richard and Sarah with four of their children and John Whittaker were living at 10 Church St. whilst Walter Holland, his wife and son Harry lived at 15 Hartley St.

The 1901 census shows that Walter Holland and his family had moved into 10 Church St. whilst Richard, Sarah and three of their children had moved to 342 Blackburn Road.

From David Stevenson,

Rising Bridge Road

1900 and Hollands were also making bread from their John St works

Bury Road of Hollands Pies float 

and it is in commemoration of the Coronation

 of King George VI

 and Queen Elizabeth in May 1937. 

(Photo: kindly sent in by Paul Schofield)

This photo was taken outside of Hollands Pies factory at Rising Bridge
 and is in commemoration of the Coronation of King George VI
 and Queen Elizabeth in May 1937 (Photo kindly sent in by Paul Schofield)

 

This photo is of Harry Holland with his wife Minnie, who lived to over 100 years, and their daughter Sybil.

The above three photos have been kindly sent in by Paul Schofield. (added 5th Dec 2014).

Paul's Grandmother was Ruth Elizabeth Schofield who was a Holland by birth, she was Aunt to Harry Holland, the last Holland to run the Company.

The above photo is of a placard currently (from April 2009) showing on the wall adjacent to the Hollands Pies offices and factory.

In 1982 when this photograph was taken this Bedford TM was a brand new addition to the Holland's fleet and was used to deliver bulk loads of Holland's frozen products to major supermarket distribution depots. Holland's, now part of Northern Foods, make over 80 million pies, pasties and puddings from their site in Baxenden Lancashire where they employ around 450 employees. (Hollands Pies Artic photo and text was kindly supplied by Paul Anderson) 

Here are some more photos sent in by Paul Anderson on 15th November 2010 - Thanks Paul.

Here are a further three photos kindly send in by Paul Anderson on 5th December 2010 with the permission and kindness of Peter Davison:

Paul Anderson has kindly sent in (4th Feb 2011) the following Hollands Pies Van photo (area of photo unknown):

And here below is a photo of the Holland's Pies Netball Team (undated) - Click over photo to enlarge.

The photo was kindly donated by: Mr. Michael Lynn.

Email received from David Stevenson 7th May 2014 to help to clear up the confusion of where did the Walter Holland shop go after it had left Lower Deardengate

Hi Bryan,

I have just read with interest the latest info. regarding the Holland family and the query regarding their shop in 1911.

I can confirm that they did live at 11 Market Place in 1911. The census shows Walter living there with his wife, Fanny, their sons, Harry, Frank and Harold together with a domestic housemaid and also a shop waitress named Minnie Orvis. On the 12th August 1914 Minnie and Harry were married, their daughter, Sybil eventually married Kenneth Miller (of Durie and Miller).

In 1891 Richard Holland and family had moved somewhat earlier from Deardengate to 10 Church Street then in 1901 Richard had retired, Walter had taken over the business and with his family were all at 10 Church Street, moving later to 11 Market Place.

Hoping that this is helpful,

Best Regards  David Stevenson

26th September 2014. June Huntingdon has kindly sent in the following Hollands Photos

This photo is from 2006 (supplied by June Huntingdon of the Accrington Museum)

June took this one on 18th July 2004 at Tram Sunday in Fleetwood, so
its really great news to know that one of the old fleet has been so nicely
restored. (photo: June Huntingdon of the Accrington Museum)

The above three photos were kindly sent in by Jack Pilling: The top photo is from the 1930s.

"Have attached a couple of pictures from the 1960's when I joined.  I have more that I took personally The old "Draw Plate" Pie.  The Ovens were still there when I joined but used only for pork pies and turkeys at Christmas.  They were replaced in the late 60's by a large travelling oven. 

This is a photo of Hollands dispatch side of the building that I actually took myself in the early 1960's.  All the vans were out delivering at the time.  Back then the vans had to reverse through that door to be loaded up with products.  The famous Holland's chimney was then complete carrying the logo "Hollands Pies", unfortunately it needed to be reduced in height in the 1970s and became just "Hollands".  In the mid 1980's it was taken down altogether.  The Lancashire Boiler for which the chimney served was also removed to make room for the new Pudding department. (Photo: kindly sent in by Jack Pilling 22nd December.  Please click over to enlarge)

This is a photo of Holland's cookhouse where all the fillings were produced.  Not sure of when it was taken but I worked in this department in the early 60's.  The first man on the left is James Horrocks from Haslingden who was still running the department then.  So I guess it was in the early 1950's. (Photo: kindly sent in by Jack Pilling 22nd December. Please click over to enlarge)

This photo is of a man named John Kay who was in charge of the 4am shift who did the preparation for the bakery shift who started at 6.30am.  He was a Haslingden man who was still running that shift in 1961 when I joined.  He was famous for whistling bird songs in the manner of Ronny Ronald who made a very popular record of "In a Monastery Garden" in which he imitated various bird songs.  Both were very impressive !! Again not sure of date but certainly 1930's, 1940's or even 1950's. (Photo: sent in by Jack Pilling 22nd Dec - Please click over photo to enlarge)

Hi, Another one for the Hollands archive. The two people in the the foreground are Production Manager Joseph Nicholas (Left) and John Kay (right)

In the background the men there include Hubert Taylor who doubled up as van driver and production operative. The decorations are for the coronation of King George the 6th in 1937. (Photo kindly supplied by Jack Pilling on Dec 24th 2014 - Click over to enlarge)

Hi, This would be Ok for your Hollands site. They are early 1960's vans of which pictures are rare. The Lambretta is mine which I rode to work for 2 years (Brave me!) Jack Pilling.  (Photo kindly supplied by Jack Pilling on Dec 26th 2014 - Click over to enlarge)

This is one for Hollands showing pies awaiting being baked. This picture I took in the late 80's when we were producing between 1 and 2 million pies weekly.. (Photo kindly sent in by Jack Pilling on 3rd January 2015).

Hollands Pies Management Team in the early 1960s

From the left: Ken Dickinson, Jack Pilling, John Hunt, Elsie Johnson, Betty Christopher, Alan Marshall, Fred Howden, Audrey Harvey, Fred Pickup, Tom Lees, Royce Birtwell, Arnold Longworth, Albert Riley (Managing Director).  Photo: kindly supplied by Jack Pilling on 7th Jan 2015 - Please click over to enlarge

Hollands Pies Van in the Lodge at the bottom of the car park (Photo supplied by Peter Fisher 6th Aug 2015)

Hollands Pie Van in Lodge (Photo: kindly supplied by Peter Fisher on 6th August 2015

)

Hollands Pies Van in Lodge during the 1980s.

Photo kindly supplied by Jack Pilling on 12th January 2015 (Please click over to enlarge)

This is Hollands Pies Staff 1980s. (Photo kindly supplied by Jack Pilling 7th Jan 2015)

Photos sent in by Jack Pilling showing the Pastry Mixing Department. 

Two fabulous Magazine photos kindly sent in by Jack Pilling on 17th Feb 2015.

 Hollands Pies Mechanics and Painters (Click over photo to enlarge)

Photo: kindly contributed by Marjorie Corbridge/Myra Frohnapfel and uploaded here on 25th November 2015

Hollands Pies - The Confectionery Department (Click over to enlarge)

The firm employed over 200 workers at that time and were making 8000 pies per hour as well as confectionery.
(Photo: Kindly shared by Jack Pilling)

Hollands Pies - Pie Manufacturing Department (Click over to enlarge)
The firm employed over 200 workers at that time and were making 8000 pies per hour as well as confectionery.
(Photo: Kindly shared by Jack Pilling)

Hollands Pies Vans - photo taken in the 1930s (Click over to enlarge)

It is thought that some of the vans pictured were probably Chevrolets made by the American firm before they became Vauxhall and therein produced the Bedford Van.

(Photo: Kindly shared to us by Jack Pilling)

  Hollands Pies Van Pull in aid of Leukaemia Research Fund

Left: Stephen Cain, Sean McKenna, ? Mike Pelc, ? Jeff Gregory.

Right: David Guest, ?,?, Frank Wade, Gary Price, ?

Photo: Kindly shared to us by Peter Fisher.