LOCAL LEGENDS (7)
ALDERMAN FRED WOOLLEY

Our subject this time, Fred Woolley, is probably best remembered for the Fred Woolley House - Home of Recovery in Chilworth, but he was a man of many parts. He ran a very successful Accountancy business in Southampton, and in 1912 was the Secretary of the Titanic Relief Fund. He was an Alderman of Southampton and twice Mayor in the 1930's. His connection with West End came about when he bought the property at the bottom of Chalk Hill (originally known as South Road). Known then at that time as "Woodleigh" , Fred developed the area behind the house up to Ivy Lane as brickfields,

later to be bought and run by Braziers the builders the house contained the offices of SGB (Scaffolding Great Britain)from the early 1930's, the site is now to be redeveloped for housing. Fred also owned and ran Hatch Farm and Quob Farm (bought in the early 1920's which he renamed "Burnmoor Farm") in West End. He specialised in Award Winning Dairy Herds, particularly at "Burnmoor". During World War 2 Fred gave up land at his farms to be used as an anti-aircraft gun site, barrage balloon and searchlight battery. Considerable damage being incurred to the farmhouse and outbuildings during the war. After Fred passed away his widow eventually sold up at "Burnmoor Farm" on 28th July 1950.