Comments on: Whitten’s Timber Yard

By: Anne ( nee Whitten )

Anne ( nee Whitten ) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 13:59:09 +0000

I have just been given this information and would love to know more about the Whitten family and their timber business.
WH Whitten was my great uncle via his brother Sidney…..my paternal grandfather.

By: Jengiz Ali

Jengiz Ali — Thu, 19 May 2022 11:42:11 +0000

A great shame

By: Andrew Pearson

Andrew Pearson — Sun, 01 May 2022 15:08:41 +0000

In reply to Pete McNally. Apologies, Pete! This is the story as told to us by Robert's family.

By: Pete McNally

Pete McNally — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 10:51:17 +0000

This story neglects to mention the stepson, Chris, who worked in the shadow of Robert, John and James, who deservedly should be given credit. Family.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 07:52:14 +0000

I used to live in Peckham but didnt have need to venture up Peckham Hill St, so didn’t know about Whittens. It wasn’t til I bought a flat in Camberwell with a 30 year old carpet, which when I lifted it, dust poured from it, that I discovered some of the floorboards needed replacing. They were 18x220mm section and B&Q only offered 20x200mm section, leaving a good cm gap either side of each plank. En route back from B&Q I thought I’d console myself with some grub, and was cycling down Peckham Hill St (oh, bhs! Might get myself a new pair of jim-jams while here ;-)). And I spied a sort of builders yard carpark as I approached Peckham. Lo and behold, the Gods were shining on me that day. A wood shop. I made some enquiries. Ordered a ship load of boards. And Whittens delivered them kindly and whithin the price. All cut to perfection with the addition of some highly useful long 6mm wedges so close and gaps, though which needed pinning in place (chiselling or not rasping, what’s that tool you used to learn about using in woodwork to cut a long sliver off wood?). Take it down slowly without splitting it. Anyway it need a lot of that. But the finished product is still there today and all cos of Whitten Timber. Thanks fellers. It was a sad day to see you go. 🙁

By: Andrew Pearson

Andrew Pearson — Mon, 24 May 2021 22:50:46 +0000

In reply to Allan moses.

Hear hear! I agree with every word you say! I used them loads and just got in in the nick of time – I built a whole campervan interior from their supplies in the final summer they were open. A lasting memorial to them! Maybe we should have a public one too as you say – anyone agree?!

By: Allan moses

Allan moses — Sat, 15 May 2021 16:10:02 +0000

Very sad to see the family business of the Whitten family – Whitten Timber closed down and to see the building of flats being built on the site. I used to use it quite a lot back in the day. Though i came from the decorating trade there was always a client who wanted a wooden gate, fence, or yard gates built, so i used to go with my measurements, show it to one of Roberts sons or one of the co workers and they would cut the pieces for me, there was always Robert the father aways in the background shouting out making sure all was in order, he knew all about every piece of wood – design, make, whatever you were looking for, he knew what people wanted and his sons also. The knowledge that family knew about wood was unbelievable and mind you they were not cheap – the materials but it was the real deal and you got what you paid for and much more with the information it came with, i shall miss the family and the site from which the family building once stood and to me there should be a plaque in the Whitten family name for what they meant and represented to the community of Peckham in all the years they traded…….WITH LOVE AND RESPECTS FROM MOSES…

By: Richard Whitten

Richard Whitten — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 01:00:25 +0000

In reply to judith. You are right, Judith. After our big fire at Canal Head in 1976, we moved into Eagle Wharf, vacated by Henry Davis, timber merchants, who moved out due to the closure of the Surrey Docks. We never traded in Peckham Hill Street until this move. I, the oldest son of WH Whitten Jnr, took early retirement in 1990. Whittens moved up the road (north) during the early 90s, to the current site. Richard Whitten, La Romieu, France.

By: judith

judith — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 15:09:41 +0000

They are the best and maybe only dedicated timber merchant for miles! With extensive knowledge.

By: judith

judith — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 15:08:46 +0000

Hi there, some facts not quite right here.
The present building was erected much later than 1982 – it is on the same site but smaller.
I’ve used Whittens since 1985 and they were still in the old building. Till at least 1997?
When they were moving and had the new place built we used it for a Rollapalluza event!
Whittens have supported Herne Hill velodrome and track cycling for an age