Well - I suppose that rather settles it in my mind, still need to go to a store that sells Brooks and check other B17 saddles, but I went for a long ride on the Selle Royal today and it was wonderful! The Selle Royal has no holes or anything like that as it is a single piece of soft padded plastic over some harder base material. I substituted the Brooks with with the Selle an set the height the same and the angle and all and went of a'riding. No pain, no nothing, quite comfortable.
So it looks like I have a bum Brooks - so now what?
Thanks Juggleaddict - I think you solved it for me. Just wish I knew what to do now, can I smooth out those holes without ruining the thing. Sigh. Maybe an email to Brooks.