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The history of the former Greyhound pub at Holbrook Village, pictured, has been gradually pieced together by readers of the Evening Telegraph's Bygones section.

Clive Stafford, of Spondon, called to say that his aunt and uncle, Flo and Wilf Whitbread, kept the pub in the 1960s.

“They used to have the Coalville Arms in Coalville Street, off Ashbourne Road, in the West End,” said Clive.

“Then my mum and dad, Kathleen and Horace Stafford, took it over in 1954, when I was four, and they moved to the Sitwell Arms, opposite the old Derby Playhouse in Sacheverel Street.

“They were there a few years and then took over the Greyhound. I remember going there when I was a schoolboy in 1961. I used to go there for the summer holidays. The Spotted Cow was next door and the old Holbrook Maternity Hospital was round the corner.

“When my uncle and aunt retired, they bought a cottage facing the church in the main street in Holbrook.

“The next people who ran the pub eventually bought it and turned into a private house but running an antiques business from it.

“It was a massive hotel. It had 10 to 12 rooms upstairs where paying guests stayed. I used to help decorate them. Uncle had a son, Frank, who helped out. I think he lives at Belper now.

“I lived at the Coalville Arms with my parents until I was 20, going to Sturgess and Ashgate Schools.”

Dorothy Collins, of Chester Green, said the Greyhound was owned in the early 1930s by her Auntie Lily and Uncle Joey Fowkes.

"I spent many happy hours playing inside and around the Greyhound. It was a wonderful place. My parents used to take my four brothers, my sister and myself to the sermons in the chapel at Holbrook every year in May, something which I have always remembered with great pleasure.

"We all used to walk from the Fox and Hounds to the chapel because the buses at that time did not go up the hill to Holbrook.

"My mother’s maiden name was Otterwell and I have three cousins who are still living in the Holbrook area."

Fred Day, 83, of Chaddesden, recalls: "It was a big place with old beams and open fires – very nice.

“My wife, Alice, was born at Bargate, near Holbrook, and we used to go in there when we were courting. There would always be a piano going. Happy days!

“It was converted into a private house well over 10 years ago. There was another pub, the Spotted Cow, further along the road.”

Barbara Norton, 85, of Mickleover, also remembers the pub.

“I was born in Spring Cottage near the church and later moved to Holbrook Moor.

“I only ever went in the pub once or twice. Young girls didn’t go in pubs in those days.

“My grandparents, Mr and Mrs Holmes, kept the Greyhound for a short time many years ago".