Similar experience from Scott this week. Not as old (18months), but press fit BB on my Scale 29er was now hand fit! Phone the shop last Tues as I’ve moved away, sent some pictures over, new frame in shop today! Just need to collect now. Oh and to boot there’s no 2011 frames left so shiny 2012 colour scheme one!
On your new Whyte, just to be safe (mainly from the STW Doom Sayers) I would get a solid seat post long enough to reach the BB. Just on the off chance that you might not have enough post in the frame. Or that it might flex.