THE GRASSHOPPER PENSIONERS’ CLUB

Website: www.martinsbank.co.uk © gut informiert! SECRETARY: David Baldwin, Lower Windle, Windle Royd Lane, Warley, HX2 7LY. 'Phone: 01422 832734. email: [email protected] CHAIRMAN: Bernard Lovewell TREASURER: Robert Bunn WELFARE OFFICER: Susan Sutcliffe New Year Edition 2021 JUST AS WE HAVE MORE MEMORIES On this occasion from 1951 when our two best- FOR BEEN 458 YEARS, represented Districts in our membership met in WE’RE STILL HERE WITH their annual match, where the following photograph and comments were cut from their magazine by Joan and Gordon Anthony:

The annual match between and Districts took place on Monday 8th October on the ground of the Odyssey

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM THE WAR MEMORIAL In our last edition we mentioned the rededication of our War Memorial in 54 Lombard Street we are now attempting to identify its current location. Club in Liverpool, the kick-off being taken by Mr. J.A. Banks, the Liverpool District Manager. Fog, which persisted all day, lifted just before the match began and the game took place in brilliant sunshine but with a rather strong breeze across the pitch. Liverpool pressed strongly from the beginning and after fifteen minutes they were rewarded with a goal by Smith, the left winger, from an opening made by Bass, who had headed across the goal mouth. Play was fairly even for the next twenty minutes and then London broke away and Anthony, the centre forward, scored for the visitors. Both goal-keepers had more to do in the second half and had it not been the good work of Ford, the keeper for London, who made two excellent saves, the visitors would probably have been defeated, whereas the match ended in a draw.

LUNCHES UPDATE DEATH NOTICES Hatton, Edward J on 23rd February, aged 99. We hope that you will understand that we need Hollis, Keith P on 16th July to plan for the future when COVID-19 has been Brittle, (nee Lowther) on 19th October 2020 defeated and we can all meet again. More Jean Elizabeth aged 85. information later and our revised dates are: Williamson, Ann (nee On 11th July 2020, aged Keighley - Wednesday 28th April Pretty) 86

th Liverpool - Tuesday 11 May 2021 It is always sad to learn that, after the death of London - Thursday 3rd June 2021 a partner that the widow/widower had met whilst working for our bank and this Rd, Bootle with consequent mis-delivery. At information is not currently held on our Linacre we had the account of Johnson’s, the database. If you are married to a former member Cleaners, and their numerous branches around of Martins staff then will you please let me know the country used to pay in their takings once or so that we can update our membership records. twice a week at a local branch of a bank, often JEAN LOWTHER not Martins, which mailed the credit slip plus Jean joined Martins at our bankers credit slip, to Linacre branch, where it Dartford branch in 1968 and, was my job to process them. when Jean’s daughter-in-law Secondly, living in Dorset, I should welcome a advised me of her death, she also lunch in Exeter or elsewhere in the South West. said that: Jean enjoyed getting Finally, D J Webber (Left) was her regular Newsletter but, manager of Soho Square branch. unfortunately, Jean suffered in the latter years Both he and I were on a of her life with Parkinson's and then “Spectrum” course together in the Dementia. She was 85 years old when she early 1970s. He must have been passed. Thank you for all the memories of people a very good age, being places you gave to Jean. significantly older than me. Regards, Michael Mawdsley Editor: I sincerely hope that our other members living in the south west share your views Michael so that we can arrange a lunch in Exeter, or another convenient location accessible by public transport, to eanble you all to meet again and exchange memories of your Martins days.

NEVER KNOWING what, if any, future articles would be submitted by our members for our next Newsletter, I decided to feature an article from our website (subject to Jonathan’s approval) when the United Kingdom was an independent nation and hope that the following AND ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER will be of interest, as exit from the European In our Autumn Newsletter, Jean Wheeler Union, which we joined when it was a free- mentioned some names of her former colleagues trading group of countries and known as the which included Ralph Pearson, which rekindled European Economic Community, looms or might memories for our Treasurer, Robert Bunn: have even been completed by the time that you On a different tack Jean Wheeler wrote about read this. Bruton Street branch mentioning Ralph I’m. certain that we all will remember the Pearson saying he moved away from Kent to run dreaded ‘Exchange Control’ and the hoops a B & B. He also worked at Oxford Circus* and through which everyone had to jump in order to his obituary was in the Summer Connection travel ‘overseas’. So what’s new with the with a Devon address which now makes sense to documentation that will (possibly) be required me. should a trade deal not be forthcoming? We’ve Edward (Ted) Hatton died back in February and all: ‘been there, seen it, done it and have the ‘T’ he would have been 100 by now but didn't quite shirt’ (as they say today). In those days we didn’t make it, another who spent time at Oxford have a computer nor did we complain. What’s a Circus. computer we would have said? We simply knew *More memories of Oxford Circus later in the Newsletter. what to do and got on with doing it. Trade with MEMORIES OF LINACRE BRANCH countries (with the exception of Nigeria) Good evening David and many thanks for the continued without any problems. newsletter. I found this particularly interesting, So I truly hope that Sam Brookes’ account of his particularly the mention of time on his cross-Channel ferry will bring back Linacre branch where I joined memories of those halycon days when the sun the bank in 1953. I particularly always seemed to shine. But, before we read well remember the three Sam’s recollections, more from the Archive:At branches in Stanley Road; many the height of discussions as to whether-or-not items of mail were addressed Britain would join the Common Market, Martins merely Martins Bank, Stanley Bank Information Department decided to produce this handy leaflet to weigh up the pros alarmingly and completely without today’s and cons of membership. It stabilisers. x is a good example of the There were four of us in the team that year: John department’s Davies, Ted Farrell, Mike Harbinson (who had thoroughness, dealing with nine different topics about only been in the bank for 6 months) and me. We the Common Market, and did a week at a time on the boat, going down to providing a number of Dover by train on Friday, then doing 7 days on the statistics regarding trot until relieved a week later. We were population sizes, national accommodated in a tiny guesthouse known as incomes and industrial “Shalimar”. It was in one of the Victorian production details for the terraces along the front at Dover and was run by six common market two elderly ladies who had stuck it out there countries, the UK and the during the war with constant cross-channel USSR. The following shelling from the German guns at Cap Gris Nez. statement appears on the back of the leaflet, and They did us bed and breakfast and we had our on many of the other special guides produced by main meal of the day in the restaurant on board the bank: ship when we were tied up in Calais. 1952 still saw The Information Department will be pleased rationing in , even eggs. Not in France to receive through the manager of any branch though, and we thought up a useful wheeze. We of the Bank, enquiries of an economic, bought an old bike and two stout cardboard boxes, industrial or commercial nature, concerning each taking 24 eggs, between the four of us. Then the United Kingdom, the Common Market or at lunchtime in Calais we could strap the egg other countries overseas…” boxes on the carrier and cycle from the dock up to We wonder - just how many times the KGB Calais town, buy the eggs and be back on board wrote in to obtain information? before the return crossing. ‘Wrote in’ is a sign of the times, when there were no computers back in those days!

SOMETHING FROM THE ARCHIVE Putting all our eggs into two cardboard boxes… Memories of Sam Brookes

I spent the summer of 1952 as a cashier on the cross-channel car ferry, TSS

Halladale. (TSS = Turbine ‘WORKING IN THE COAL MINE …’ Screw Ship). The name Was a hit for Lee Dorsey in 1966, but what has Halladale, a ‘River Class’ that to do with banking and Martins Bank in frigate comes from a river particular? that empties into the sea off Well, during a freezing February 1969 I was the North coast of Scotland. I staying at the notorious Alexandra Court Hotel had volunteered for the job as whilst on a Securities course, above Castle a means of escaping being Street branch, during which the participants 3rd cashier at Bexleyheath were advised that the Institute of Bankers’ branch, which I had not Liverpool branch had organised a trip down a St. thought appropriate placing Helens coal mine and, with the exception of for someone who had just struggled through their Barrie Brookes, it would be interesting to learn bank exams. The Halladale was a converted if any other member or non-member was on the frigate of the “River” class, big enough to same course and similarly descended 1750 feet accommodate 80 cars inside, plus one coach to the bottom of the shaft with Barrie and which was carried in the open on the poop and myself. It certainly was an experience not to be chained down. This was the first ever dedicated missed. Although the underground ‘roadways’ cross channel car ferry, all vehicles were craned were vast, the actual ‘cutting face’ certainly on at Dover but the French were ahead of us and wasn’t; it was a three feet seam along which we crawled but with the added comfort of the cutter you drove off on a ramp at Calais. The vessel was being rested whilst we passed along the face. an absolute pig in rough weather, rolling quite

LONG PRESTON where it was based. The emblem of the Whilst scrolling through our Preston branches, I Bank came to be the Craven heifer, and many inadvertently clicked local farmers preferred the notes "wi' t’ cow on ‘Long Preston’, on" to those of the Bank of England. The which is quite a ‘long’ nineteenth century saw various partners come way from Preston, and go, and in 1880, it was decided that the bank despite sharing part of should be converted to a joint stock company: it its name and is also was incorporated as the Craven Bank Ltd. The being in a completely bank was to have an authorised capital of different county. This is what I discovered (left) £1,200,000 divided into 40,000 shares at £30 although I never each, and the Head Office was moved from Settle knew that we had to . At that time, the bank had 7 ever had a branch branches and 10 sub-branches. The next few in the village. As I years were a period of branch expansion and regularly pass increased profits, but, by the turn of the century, through the the Craven Bank was struggling in a world of village (and even increasingly competitive and larger banks. In took a charge over 1906, the Craven Bank Ltd was amalgamated one of the local with the . By that time, it had pubs when I was the junior securities clerk at branches at Bingley, Bradford, Burnley, our Skipton branch), I felt that I should Clitheroe, Colne, Ilkley, Keighley, Manningham, investigate further, Nelson, Otley, Padiham, Settle and Silsden; and which led to the sub-branches at Addingham, Barrowford, discovery of this Post Bentham, Brierfield, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Card from which the Burnley, Colne Road, Habergham, Cononley, awning over the door Cowling, Cross Hills, Denholme, Earby, and gate-posts led me to Foulridge, Gargrave, Gisburn, Grassington, believe that I had Guiseley, Haworth, Hellifield, Ingleton, Long discovered the location of our former Long Preston, Oxenhope, Salterforth, Trawden and Preston sub-branch which was a rented room in Whalley. In deference to the traditions of the the former Conservative Club. Look at it today Craven Bank, it was (left) and you can see that it has been converted decided that its branches to a house, but it still should continue to operate retains the original as a discrete district awning above the door. within the Bank of Although the ornate Liverpool, with Skipton as gate posts and garden the district's Head Office. walls have been removed and the shop window A photograph of my walled-in, not much else has changed externally. Craven Bank oak The cheque (right) is featured on the British sovereign box, which was going to be thrown into Banking History website which can be accessed a skip during the 1974 premises alterations, is by the following link: featured (above), looking better than it did on https://banking-history.org.uk/record/alcocks- the Saturday morning on which it was birkbeck-co-craven-bank/ whilst the following discovered languishing in the bowels of the summarise history can be found on the former Head Office of the Craven Bank. Archives website: OUR NAME LIVES ON IN DENT The Craven Bank was founded in 1791 by Just after the Autumn Newsletter was William and John Birkbeck, William Alcock, published, Peter John Peart, Joseph Smith and William Lawson. Raffle, an ex-Martian Individually, they had developed basic banking non-member, emailed systems in their local areas: the Birkbecks in the photograph (below Settle; Alcock in Skipton; Peart in Grassington; left) which he’d taken and Lawson in Giggleswick: as sidelines to their on 12th October this original occupations as merchants, solicitors and year (2020), of our manufacturers. In common with many banks at Dent sub-branch (to that time, the Craven Bank issued its own notes. Sedburgh). Again, I Such bank notes were usually illustrated with need to ask if anyone knows any additional the bank's emblem, or a picture of the town information about our former sub-branch and if Sophie Bondi was of Austrian descent with an they do will they please make contact with me? obvious Germanic accent, but I never discovered the background of her route to the UK. She was 7 HARGREAVES STREET, BURNLEY a fairly small, slightly bent lady with a wrinkled Yet another ‘blast from the past’ from (non- face, age unknown and she had an assistant of member) Kristian Baxter via David Baxter (no similar slim build called Johnny. relation) of our 7, Hargreaves Street, Burnley Her daily routine was to prepare coffee/tea in the branch in its ‘Lancashire and Bank’ morning, lunch between midday and 2pm and a days. trolley service of tea around 3.30pm. I can’t recall whether the morning coffee was trolley served or whether we went to the canteen, but the afternoon service was definitely prefaced by the noise of rattling cups, a crash into the entry doors of the mech. room and the proud entry of Sophie Bondi ahead of the trolley pushed with head bowed by Johnny. On more than one occasion Mrs. Bondi (that is how we addressed her) would stop suddenly and unexpectedly, with the inevitable accident as Johnny continued blindly on his way. EXCELLENT NEWS! MORE NAMES Lunch was the ‘highlight’ of the day. Split Following the last Newsletter which featured between two hourly sessions the ‘mech’ room this 1959 photograph of our football team in staff including Harry Hunt, Paris, I received a (right) John Peters, Mike Rice, call from David XX John Jukes, Berisford Williams, who has provided me Vic Wellington, Dennis Simmons, with details of the Andy Hazell, Roger Newman, missing names John Smith, John Scarsbrook, which means that we Mick (Sten Gun) Brennan and now have all of those John Keefe amongst others and of course a small who featured in the number of females whose names I struggle to photograph. From remember, headed to the canteen. We would be left to right they are: joined there in the queue by those from Doug Ford, Gordon securities, foreign, accountants and cashiers’ Anthony, Ken Quigley, departments Brian Hubble, Bob Bunn, Dan Mike Pettit, Geoff Butler, George Wildman, Eric Stonebridge, Langham, Pete Bonner, ?, ?, Don ‘Jimmy’ James, Ron Doug Farrow, Derek Harbour, Alan Brain, Mr. Ebenezer, Dennis Sims. But who are the children? Piper and a throng of visitors from nearby The request for memories of: ‘THE LEGENDARY SOPHIE BONDI’ BROUGHT THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE WITH OTHER MEMORIES OF OXFORD CIRCUS BRANCH On Remembrance Day, Monday 11th November 1963 at the tender age of 17, I climbed the steps in Swallow Place at the rear of Martins Bank, 251 Regent Street (Oxford Circus Branch) and Brian Hubble Bob Bunn George Wildman Farr

took the small lift to the 4th Floor. There I was introduced to Mr John Brown (pro-manager). He told me that there were three additional important names that I should learn; Mr. S.W.P.

Barter (Branch Eric Alan Brain Manager), left, Stonebridge Doug Farrow Mr. Edward (Ted) branches. Never do I recall any of the managers Beaney (Accountant), (right)and of my time making an appearance. There was Mrs. Sophie Bondi (the cook). good reason; ‘fine-dining’ it wasn’t, but for some- one from a financially challenged home it was with the place full of smoke. Saying who I was, good value for a basic two course meal. Fish and I was instructed to: ‘go and put the ‘kettly’ on.’. That was my introduction to the Branch Manager. Behind the counter (in view of customers) was a cupboard containing the wherewithal for the tea, but Derek Reg Dennis on the inside of Stevens Beatrip Weber one door was a pin-up!! So, the open door obviously had to be kept closed, but sometimes forgotten. The female clerk (Pat) was referred to as ‘Glad’; I became ‘Hopscotch’; later, another girl joined, Tony Norman and she was known as ‘Glad 2’. The manager Westcombe Manser masterminded New Brighton FC., on the chips on Friday were possibly the highlight of counter were draw tickets and a record book of the week. I also enjoyed the breaded pork chops, supporters paying weekly whatever into a and the meat pies weren’t too bad. I can’t NBFC sweep and I was given strict instructions remember the price of the meals but it was to record how much and by whom in the book heavily subsidised. My salary was about £9 per despite, as a cashier, dealing with customers. Of week so maybe the cost was 1 or 2 shillings per course, someone would rush in place cash on the day. counter/name and go whilst I was still The danger period was just after Christmas and cashiering……oh dear! He kept a bike in his New Year. There was generally a surplus of room, trousers in socks he would disappear Christmas pudding to use alongside leftover visiting (?) customers/The Club who knows? turkey. That gave rise to frequent curries and Returning, the bike would be rested against the drowning of the increasingly stale pudding in counter meaning serving folk over the loads of custard. I recall one day that the handlebars!! pudding was so solid that one of my friends On Mondays, he would bring in the remains of opened the window and placed his bowl of his Sunday lunch say a bone with meat on it inedible dessert on the ledge four floors above which he would chomp on whilst having a chat Oxford Street. One of the many pigeons that with a customer standing at the occupied the ledge took a peck at it, wandered to counter! Occasionally during the football the edge and plummeted to the ground. Quite season, say 2/3pm the branch would go dark as startled we rushed to the street and sure enough a coach would draw up outside the branch there was a dead pigeon on the pavement! Cause containing ‘the team’/supporters et al’; an away of death unknown. game(!) shouts of “come on XXX” from the coach, I left Oxford Circus before Sophie Bondi, but I “right I’m off’ was his response and off he’d go!! will be generous in A new male clerk arrived, a quiet fellow; lunch acknowledging her contribution time he would go out return reeking of beer, he to my survival in life into my had recently returned from working abroad a septuagenarian years – she filled bank in Nigeria(?). Anyway, come a rainy day a young man’s stomach. he produced a football (soft) and after eating our Bas Bush Oxford Circus Branch lunch in the manager’s room, there was nowhere 1963 -1970 else to eat, we had a game of ‘headers’…..can you THE EXPERIENCES OF A NEW imagine the noise! Summer, we made a habit of ENTRANT AT WALLASEY, EGREMONT going down onto the prom’ with the ball. On one Day 1; I arrived at the front door of the bank occasion when the tide was in, the ball went into which was open (although it was about 8.45am.,) the Mersey. Not wishing to lose the ball, I think The branch was full of smoke and I could hear his name was Peter, he climbed over the rails, rattling and shouting somewhere in the distance hung on and with one hand recovered the which emanated from the basement where I ball……but the water curling up the wall it discovered a bald guy poking a stove, cursing it, soaked him from the waist down!! He squelched all the way back to the bank, Peter found the report/reprimand, he transferred funds from his only (?) towel; removed his lower garments, the own savings account for twenty-four hours mind boggles), therefore standing in effect before immediately reversing the transfer on the naked from the waist down with just this hand next day, thereby leaving LHO ignorant of the towel wrapped around to maintain his dignity. circumstances!! Pat was genuinely shocked, unbelievable! XXX (XXX has been used instead of the name to returned from wherever, looked at Peter “what protect the innocent) the &*&*&*& h***” is going on, and then got on SMITHDOWN ROAD, SEFTON PARK, with his work. One final episode: I could go on; Peter came to WAVERTREE THROUGH THE YEARS work in a very old car, long bonnet, running Usually, we are thanking Jonathan Snowden for boards, leather upholstery, super. He his research into our Bank, but on this occasion frequently offered Pat and I a lift to Liscard We have Keith Jones to thank for the following Village where we caught our respective photographs of the branch to his ‘Flickr’ page buses. However, starting the car necessitated Peter turning a starter handle at the same time a passenger pulling/holding out the choke knob…. ignition(!) and off we would go in a stately fashion. One such journey yes, all had gone to plan but we had to stop for fuel. Car refuelled, same starting routine except this time flames leapt out from the bonnet! And this was happening on the forecourt of a petrol station, can you imagine!! Alarms started, everyone scattered, ’Glad’ fell out of the car clutching her The branch above and below in its early days as shopping, I didn’t hang about either. Very fortunately a Police motorcyclist was passing and using his modest extinguisher covered the vents in the bonnet and shortly after at least one fire engine arrived and all was well. Unbelievably, a day or two later Peter was back using the car! Okay more: All sets of keys (as we all know) had to be signed for, never left unattended nor compromised in any way: handling the ‘other set’. If it happened all locks had to be changed, a branch of the Bank of Liverpool branch as think of the cost, inconvenience, and featured in Post Cards of that era. Keith’s work reprimand. Early one morning an Inspection Team had arrived, where’s Mr XXX they asked? He ultimately arrived but he’d been to NBFC (collecting bar takings). 'Right let’s go and open up’ said the Inspector, XXX agreed but whispered to me that his set had been left in a drawer in the main office. (But for how long? Certainly overnight). I was obliged to hide him extracting the said keys and off we went. go. However, going down worn stone steps to the basement/strongroom meant switching on a light of course. The staff knew that to avoid an electric shock one had to land on the actual switch anywhere else … ouch!! XXX insisted on the Inspector going first!!! One more but not exactly amusing: the monthly return of overdrawn accounts to LHO. If all in order no problem, however, XXX had one particular account in excess of its overdraft can be viewed on ‘Flickr’ at: Keithjones84. Fast limit, which had already prompted a report plus forward to the 1960s and today and it is evident mild cautionary comment. To avoid a further how little change there has been in over the last obviously a Friday! The ACTUAL DAY is still 100 years! Thursday but the date is 3rd June 2021! Because of the deadline dates for the three lunches and publication dates of future Newsletters is, as yet, unknown, reservation slips are enclosed with this Newsletter. Your slip(s) can be returned with your cheques at any time and a reminder will be published in future Newsletters. (Post December 2nd Update) What excellent news! At long last we can look forward to thinking about getting on with our lives once again and, at our age, we need to. A further update will be added before we go to print but, today, it would appear that; ‘We will meet again Another new photograph, above of our OLD …’ and in 2021!

SWAN branch IN THE 1930s when life was THE FIRST INTER-DISTRICT RUGBY black and white and 90 years later 2020 MATCH, FEBRUARY 17TH1958 Was between Liverpool and London but the players’ names were not recorded! Can anyone help to identify the players? Both David Baxter and I can identify Lindsay Mason (centre, front row, with the knee bandage) in the Liverpool

In these ‘lockdown’ days, the internet contains a treasure trove of memories and photographs so, if you have access, why not take a look at what you can find and, whilst doing so, help Jonathan to enhance, what is already a truly magnificent website, even further. At the same time, you will team, but who are the other players? first left on be ensuring that, via the British Library’s the front row is Stewart Joynson and the third archiving, Martins Bank, and its place in from the left is Brian Pearse. The brief report banking history, will never be forgotten.

56 FAWCETT STREET SUNDERLAND Another photograph has come to light for which we need to thank Irene Grierson who has published this photograph of our ‘Temporary Premises’ in 1963 at 56 FAWCETT STREET SUNDERLAND during the renovation of 20 FAWCETT STREET branch. Irene’s posts can be viewed on follows: Even a beginner could see that Liverpool her Pinterest page. was the heavier and the better co- ordinated side, though at half-time 2021 LUNCHES UPDATE the debacle which was to follow was I must apologise for any confusion caused when not anticipated. The score was only I inadvertently stated that our London Lunch 8-5, and London were actually the would be held on 4th June 2021, which is first to score, but by the end of the match, the score had risen to 38- Huddersfield, albeit during Barclays days. So, 5; with London appearing to here’s an almost Cri de Coeur to our Manchester have been run almost to a District members for their recollections of their standstill and to have lost heart. Martins days to redress the balance. W. J. Bass (bottom of previous I have one, which could loosely be termed ‘toilet page) scored one humour’, in its most literal sense. When visiting try; G. Hesketh Holmfirth branch in 1972 as Assistant CWIP (Captain), who played a very fine officer, I was told that I should examine the game, converted lavatory. ‘Why?’ I asked. ‘Because you’ll never one try and scored have ever seen a longer toilet chain’ came the two others; M. E. response, and I hadn’t. It was something to Bowman scored two behold and must have been almost 20 feet in tries, D. D. Evans one, F. Laycock length and once pulled, you had to vacate the two, B. G. Pearce (left) one, T. M. room as fast as possible! Carradus one, and S. N. Joynson Dare I say: ‘It’s like busses’ Raymond? Why? (right) converted three. In the London team E. Well, Joan Anthony forwarded the following two D. G. Eva converted one try and R. S. Cooper clippings from a copy of a Martins Bank scored one. Everyone was loud in praise of the Magazine, taken before the match, in 1951 work of the referee, D. D. Millar between Manchester and London Districts in (Castle Street). The London team included men which her husband, Gordon, played. from Cambridge, Oxford, Reading and Sidcup: Liverpool had combed an even wider field, recruiting its players from Keswick, Bowness, Barnoldswick, Llandudno, Windermere and to supplement those from the locality. After the match, and a suitable interval (two hours) for refreshment, the teams repaired to the Northern Cricket Club for dinner. CALLING OUR MANCHESTER MEMBERS After the last Newsletter had already been printed, I received a letter from Raymond Prior in which he stated: ‘…… I am always surprised how little Manchester District is mentioned.’ However, Raymond did enclose 16 pages of photocopied, type-written pages of foolscap containing his memories, which will be included in this and future editions. Raymond started working for Martins at our 27 Market Place, Huddersfield branch in 1949 despite there also being another branch, but in Leeds District, at 35 Westgate. Our Market Place was a former Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank branch whilst Westgate was formerly a () Equitable Bank branch. Once again we must recognise the work of The

British Banking History Society for preserving images of cheques issued by long-lost banks. Two of our current members Geoffrey Hellewell, Westgate, (above right) and Alan Blackburn, 27 Market Place, (left) were both in

And here’s one more memory for Raymond two typists situated on the little mezzanine floor (care of David Wilkinson on Flickr) from 1926: in the rebuilt Oxford Circus branch. Later I moved upstairs to the fourth floor to securities section, Brian Hubble, recent correspondent, taking my spot, and later still I took charge of the securities section when I was appointed pro Manager. Harry Hunt was at the branch at the same time and later became head of mech room/ledgers when he was also appointed. He was still there when I left, later moving to take charge of Barclays credit clearing in the City before moving to Northampton.

Despite both Bas Bush and Robert remembering the staff members with whom they worked at Oxford Circus there are some names that they have been unable to remember. Can you help Bas and Robert and all of our members, as well

FRANK LAYCOCK as Jonathan, so that he can populate not only the ‘STAFF GALLERY’ of Oxford Circus, but that of Although not a member, I am certain that every branch in the Martins network featured many of you will remember Frank, who died on on his website? All that you need to do (if you 4th June 2020 aged 88 years. Michael Widdup writes: I was saddened to hear that Frank had died. I remember Frank well from my few years as a junior clerk and 2nd cashier at Martins Bank Barnoldswick - 'Barlick' to the locals; (there were only 2 cashiers at Barlick) from 1963 and came across him again when I became Foreign Clerk at the Martins Bank Nelson Branch in the early 1970's before Martins Bank's ‘Grasshopper’ was finally consumed by the ‘Eagle’ of Barclays have access to the internet) is to click on the Bank. following link: I remember Frank as a 'larger than life www.martinsbank.co.uk character' who I in my 20's in fairly Junior roles, to see what information Jonathan already holds always looked up to. I particularly remember for staff at the branch(es) at which you worked spending many hours with Frank and others on and if you are able to add any names then please overtime on long evenings at Quarter ends at make contact with me and I will collate the Nelson branch calculating or checking responses before submitting them to Jonathan. customers’ interest payments using interest Many of our former female staff’s names and decimal books. During the 1972 miners' strike, photographs are missing and this needs to be addrerssed. power cuts meant that we worked by the light of candles. Interest decimal books are now long 2021 LUNCHES gone and forgotten. How times have changed 50 As you will all be aware, the Newsletters are years on. I am sure I learned a lot from Frank compiled over several weeks, commencing that stood me in good stead when I moved on in immediately following the issue of the previous late 1972 from Nelson Branch to join Barclays Newsletter. Why do I mention this fact? Simply Bank Foreign Branch in Bradford, then on to because of the current situation, relating to London and subsequently to a very enjoyable COVID, changes by the day. Because our career with Barclays Bank International. Well lunches need to be organised months in advance, done good and well-remembered friend Frank. hence the inclusion of ‘Reservations’ for the

TED HATTON three currently-planned Spring Lunches which Robert Bunn writes: we hope that you will support by completing I worked with Ted at Oxford Circus. He came to your reservation in the hope that they will be in charge of the foreign section where I was actually proceed and we can all meet again in working at the time. There were four clerks plus the new year. Should any of our planned lunches need to CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT be postponed then you will be advised but, Please remember to take care when you receive an in the meantime, can I request your email from an unknown or unexpected source and support for our 2021 programme of events? are asked to click on a link in the email. If you believe We would also like to reitterate our it to be a scam or ‘phishing’ email then simply support for more local events. During our forward it to the UK Government’s anti-phishing ‘Remembrance Year’ of 2019, in addition to department at: the annual ‘London Lunch’ your Club [email protected] supported lunches in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. We already YOUR WELFARE have interest from members in the south Although our Welfare Officer and west with Exeter being suggested as a (Susan Sutcliffe) is always venue. Please let me know if you would like available to assist with any to attend a lunch in Exeter and I will make welfare problems that you the appropriate arrangements. might experience, please don’t forget that whilst we With London being a central hub for are always here to help as far as possible, should you members our usual lunches will continue require further assistance then the Bank-Workers’ to be arranged in the Capital for ease of Charity could be an alternative and their access for all by public transport. confidential Helpline number is: 0800 0234 834 The Late ANN WILLIAMSON on which you can speak with one of their specially- (nee PRETTY) trained staff about your situation and/or problems. Ann joined Martins at 68 Lombard Street in 1956 where she subsequently met her COASTERS (a final call?) husband Dennis. She is survived by a son I still have 8 ‘Remembrance Coasters’ in stock in case and a daughter and her twin sister, Kath anyone would like to purchase any. Please make Pike who worked at Oxford Circus branch. contact should this be the case.

------RESERVATION FOR THE KEIGHLEY SPRING LUNCH on Wednesday 28th April 2021 Venue: The Directors’ Suite, Keighley Rugby League Football Club, Royd Ings Avenue, Keighley, BD21 3RF. The deadline for returning your reservation is Wednesday 14th April 2021 DEADLINE FOR CANCELLATION IS MONDAY 19TH APRIL Following which your cheques will be presented for payment

STARTER: Smoked Salmon

MAIN COURSE: Chicken in White Wine & Tarragon Sauce with Spring Vegetables

DESERT: Selection from the Desert Trolley

Tea or Coffee

Please tick the boxes if you require an alternative option:

Diabetic Gluten Free Vegetarian Other (please state)

Pay Bar available from 12.00 Noon until 3.00 p.m. Luncheon will be served at 1 p.m. Cost: £20.00 for each Full Member and Guests

This price includes table wine, fresh orange juice and gratuity WHAT MEMORIES DO YOU HAVE OF THE ALEXANDRA COURT?

The High Court Judge? The owner? ‘Dressing for Dinner? Many more no doubt? Please feel free to share yours with those of our former colleagues who were unable to experience the ‘Alex’ by letting me have them. REMEMBRANCE COASTERS: DID YOU GET YOURS?

I still have EIGHT coasters remaining in stock. They are still priced at the original price of £1.50 per coaster PLUS Postage and Packing. Should you wish to purchase one or more then please contact me as they will be sold on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. If you missed out on buying our limited edition Remembrance Tie then I still have ONE in stock which can be purchased for a mere £10 INCLUDING postage.

RESERVATION FOR THE KEIGHLEY LUNCH Please return your Reply Slip to arrive before the closing date of Wednesday 14th April 2021 to: David Baldwin, Lower Windle, Windle Royd Lane, Warley, Halifax, HX2 7LY or email to: [email protected] 'Phone: 01422 832734

Please reserve me ...... place(s) for the Keighley Spring Lunch, on Wednesday 28th April for which I enclose my cheque payable to The Grasshopper Pensioners Club for £………… and confirm that I was a member of Martins Bank Staff on or before 12th December 1969. Please tick this box to confirm

Names of those attending (capital letters please)

...... (Member/Guest)

...... (Member/Guest)

My contact number: ......

My email address: ...... Seating preference (This cannot be guaranteed but I will make my best effort to ensure that it is.

Name(s): ......

......

To assist with catering do you have a wine preference for yourself and guest(s)? Numbers: Red ..... White ...

RESERVATION FOR THE LIVERPOOL SPRING LUNCH on Tuesday 11th May 2021

Venue: The Racquet Club, 5 Chapel Street, Liverpool, L3 9AG

The deadline for returning your reservation is 31st March 2021 and for CANCELLING YOUR RESERVATION IS 27TH APRIL STARTER Smoked Salmon with Potato Salad and Crème Fraîche Fruit Juice

MAIN COURSE Roast Chicken Breast served with Vegetables and Roast Vegetarian Lentil Shepherd’s Pie. Potatoes with Traditional Gravy

DESERT Profiteroles Lemon Tart served with Chantilly Cream

Tea or Coffee

Please tick the boxes if you require alternative options: Diabetic Gluten Free Vegetarian Other (please state)

Coffee and Pay Bar available from 11.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.

Luncheon will be served at 1 p.m.

Cost: £20.00 for each Full Member and Guests. This price includes table wine or fresh orange juice and gratuity.

On this occasion we regret that numbers will need to be restricted to 100 on a first come basis.

Please return your Reply Slip and cheque to arrive before the closing date of 31st March 2021 to:

Mr K W Quirk, 119 Fernhill Road, Cove, Farnborough, GU14 9DS. email: [email protected] 'Phone: 01252 521044

Please reserve me ...... place(s) for the Spring Lunch at The Racquet Club, Liverpool, on Tuesday 11th May 2021 for which I enclose my cheque payable to The Grasshopper Pensioners Club for £………… and confirm that I was a member of Martins Bank Staff on or before 12th December 1969.

Please tick this box to confirm

Names of those attending (capital letters please)

...... (Member/Guest)

...... (Member/Guest)

My contact number: ......

My email address: ...... Seating preference (This cannot be guaranteed but I will make my best effort to ensure that it is.

Name(s): ......

...... To assist with catering do you have a wine preference for yourself and guest(s)? Numbers: Red ..... White ..... RESERVATION FOR THE LONDON SPRING LUNCH on Thursday June 3rd 2021

Venue: The Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, London SE1 8UJ The deadline for returning your reservation is 30th April 2021 and for CANCELLING YOUR RESERVATION IS 20TH MAY On this occasion we regret that numbers will need to be restricted to 120 on a first come basis

STARTER: Prawn and Crayfish Cocktail, Lettuce, Rye Melba Toast

MAIN COURSE: Roast Rump of Lamb, White Onion Sauce, Melange of Baby Vegetables, Dauphinoise Potatoes

DESERT: Strawberry Eton Mess

WINES: Isonto Chenin Blanc and Isonto Shiraz/Cinsault

Tea or Coffee

Please tick the boxes if you require alternative options:

Diabetic Gluten Free Vegetarian Other (please state)

Pay Bar available from 12.00 Noon until 4.00 p.m.

Luncheon will be served at 1 p.m.

Cost: £20.00 for each Full Member and Guests. This price includes table wine or fresh orange juice and gratuity.

Please return your Reply Slip to arrive before the closing date of 30th April 2021 to:

Mr K W Quirk, 119 Fernhill Road, Cove, Farnborough, GU14 9DS. email: [email protected] 'Phone: 01252 521044

Please reserve me ...... place(s) for the December Lunch at The Union Jack Club, on Thursday, 3rd June 2021 for which I enclose my cheque payable to; The Grasshopper Pensioners’ Club for £………… and confirm that I was a member of Martins Bank Staff on or before 12th December 1969. Please tick this box to confirm

Names of those attending (capital letters please)

...... (Member/Guest)

...... (Member/Guest)

My contact number: ......

My email address: ...... Seating preference (This cannot be guaranteed but I will make my best effort to ensure that it is.

Name(s): ......

...... To assist with catering do you have a wine preference for yourself and guest(s)? Numbers: Red ..... White .....