Hilary Whittle (1930 – 2008)
 Hilary was born at Clydach (Swansea) but spent much of her childhood in Birmingham and Liverpool. A job with a chemist awakened a life-long interest in photography and she later joined the RAF to work in the photo trade. It was whilst in the RAF that she met Ben who became her husband for 53 years. There followed postings to Germany, Warwickshire and Hong Kong. After teaching in Hong Kong, Hilary obtained a Cert. Ed. and later taught, first in Wolverhampton and then (for 17 years) at the Alexander Fleming on Sutton Hill where she stayed until retirement.
Hilary was an early member of the Credit Union where she became a valued volunteer. Through her interest in local history she became a founder member of the Madeley Local Studies Group and, later, a stalwart of the Madeley Living History Project.
Although fascinated by history she was also grounded in the here and now. She and Ben became founder members of the Madeley Environmental Action Group which campaigned for improvements to Madeley Centre.
Hilary had a lifelong interest in crafts with a particular talent for knitting and quilting. She was fascinated by all aspects of food and cooking and took full advantage of the family’s foreign postings to extend her repertoire.
She will be sadly missed by her many friends in Madeley and beyond.
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