The Grasshopper Pensioners' Club
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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 Easter Edition 2021 NO MATTER WHAT IS THROWN (and subject to unforeseen circumstances) our AT US AND AT OUR BANK, 2021 Lunch programme will resume as follows: LIVERPOOL 29th JUNE DESPITE THE RENAMING OF ONE KEIGHLEY 14th JULY OF OUR BRANCHES*, WE STILL LONDON SPRING 9th SEPTEMBER HAVE: LONDON 25th NOVEMBER MANCHESTER 1st DECEMBER Without your continued support we will be unable to both function and provide our lunches. We urge you to continue to support our efforts to provide our subsidised lunches where you can meet your former colleagues but only when it is safe for us and we are free to do so. (More details follow on Page 11) (JOKINGLY) DID A NORTH/SOUTH WE HOPE THAT YOU ARE ALL DIVIDE EXIST IN 1958? KEEPING FIT AND READY TO ENJOY These photographs, of the Liverpool v London ATTENDING OUR LUNCHES AND Districts’ rugby match, were published in the December edition and Peter Noble ‘phoned, as I MEETING YOUR FRIENDS AGAIN. was putting the finishing touches to the Spring (JUST LIKE THIS LITTLE FELLOW). Newsletter, to identify himself (second left, front row). Although Peter recognised some of his team-mates he couldn’t recall their names with the exception of ‘Chalky’ White. Can you help to provide the names of both teams, which were not mentioned in the original publication? LUNCHES UPDATE Following the various announcements by the Government on 22nd February, about the easing of COVID restrictions, which will hopefully allow us all to return to a ‘normal’ life. The more recent infection rate statistics, at the time of Whilst the London team appear to be the writing, and the statement made by the UK ‘complete unit’ being ‘graded’ by height and Government on April 5th, we can confirm that professional, check the Liverpool team * Please see Page 3. photograph and you will see why I passed the Shortly after the merger I went to be an comment. Assistant District Manager at Barclays Manchester District Office where Alan Bradley was one of my colleagues. Regards, Mike Darlington. AND ALAN’S CONFIRMATION Hi David, I was honoured to be featured in the recent issue of ‘connection’ on the cover and again on the front page of the last Grasshopper Newsletter! I’m the one front left in the photo of the Liverpool Remembrance Lunch. Kind regards Alan ANOTHER MYSTERY SOLVED? No doubt, you will Bernard Lovewell writes: When I joined the remember this photograph. bank in August 1961 at Soho Square, Peter Bill Webb did and writes: Noble (second left front row) was a The gentleman standing cashier. What a great character, who I next to Ron Ebeneezer is remember Norman Turner (I think). I very well and played a few games of cricket with so does him in the London district team. To be Marilyn, who certain you may wish to send him a joined a year brief note as I believe he is still on our later, and we database. If he has not been in touch would love to having received the Newsletter you can see why meet him I am hesitating. Best wishes, Bill. again*. I can YOUR HELP IS REQUIRED YET AGAIN. recognise Peter now in the (front page) picture We appear to have lost contact with our but no-one else. I remember that he was a great following members and I wonder if anyone can rugby enthusiast and I recall some good social help us to re-establish contact so that they can events we used to attend with him at the Old start to receive their Newsletters once more: Rutlishians Rugby Club. Remembered through Mrs A Brain Mrs June Foster an alcoholic haze, I think. Mr Roy Foster Mrs Carol Gill Mr PG Whitehead BEING FEATURED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF ‘CONNECTION’ HAS SOME BENEFITS RETURNED ENVELOPES Dear Mr Baldwin, the receipt of the Barclays The latest edition of the Newsletter addressed Retired Employees ‘Connection’ Magazine, Issue to Mr HC Grice was returned with the simple 77, Winter 2020, caused me to comment: DOES NOT LIVE HERE. Do any have a further look at The members know where Mr Grice lives since this Grasshoppers 2020 Spring is his first Newsletter to be returned? Newsletter ‘Remembrance Lunches Issue’. CONTACT RE-ESTABLISHED The Connection Magazine Some good news at last! With Graham Kerby’s featured a photograph of assistance, contact has been re-established with members attending the Malcolm Sly and his son, Chris. Many thanks Grasshoppers Lunch in Graham. Liverpool. I turned up the article and the DEATH NOTICES photograph in the 2020 Spring Newsletter. All It is with regret that we advise you of the deaths were mentioned by name apart from No 1, front of our following former colleagues: row left where there was a red th question mark. You may already Bartlett, Sheila (née on 5 March 2021 have had the omission corrected Towell) Curtis, Richard J on 18th January 2021 but if not, I believe it is a Davies, Howard on 29th October 2019 aged 79 photograph of Alan Bradley. Davies, John in February 2021 aged 91 At the time of the merger, I was Assistant Halliwell, Bill On 5th April 2021 Manager at Martins, Bolton Deansgate Branch. Scorah, Tony on 16th December 2020 2 OBITUARIES for our former colleagues can be the Manager who was a delightfully fair and found later in this Newsletter. true ‘gentleman’ in every meaning of the word. A LOST BRANCH! He was followed by a manager Unbeknown to whose name I have forgotten but Jonathan, on whom who sadly died at his desk. Mr I rely for certain Thompson and then Mr information, our Freddy Marsh (left), Bruton Street Mr J P Costigan branch was closed (right); Mick Reidy and another on 22nd February gentleman whose name also 2019. Apparently, escapes me. Muriel Harrison was the branch was renamed ‘Mayfair’ on 30th also there until she also left to get married. I October 2009 and this is the reason why there is eventually. as you know, finished up by working no closure date for ‘Bruton Street’ in his records. for 10 years for Mr Weatherell in Chief Overseas branch; a delightful very thoughtful, kind man 49, OLD CHRISTCHURCH ROAD, who had a great sense of humour and only in BOURNEMOUTH latter years do I appreciate how lucky I was to It is strange to only have ‘semi’ photographs of have worked with Peter Cawsey, John some of our Bull, Jim Fraser and Graham Mather. branches but I do have some photos taken in Mr Allison’s day here we do. and will look in the archives and try and get ‘Semi’, because them photocopied and forward them to we usually you. Some of this will be boring but perhaps a have a full little of this could be used. We are all sorry that photograph or everything has come to a standstill but hopefully none at all. it will not be long before some friendships can Here, we have be rekindled. Hopefully if the end of year only been able luncheon goes ahead will be able to meet up to find two again. Best wishes Jean halves but the I forgot an important person; the Assistant photographs Manager Mr W B Mason, (right) are of the same for whom I worked as his half, despite them being from different angles. Jean Lovering (nee Vince) writes: After moving Secretary and Sally for the to Bournemouth Manager I had good training before Christmas, I from Mr Mason. He was have only just found meticulous and every letter had time to read the to be perfect; one mistake and he latest Newsletter would bring it back and it had to be done and was interested to again. If you made a mistake when on the see the part post, even one penny, you had to find it. Though photograph of my old young, we also were able to take instructions to branch. Before my stockbrokers etc. on the telephone which, of marriage, my maiden course, would name was Jean not be Vince, I worked with allowed these Sally Elliot (nee Hantsch), Hazel days. I Honeybun (nee believe that Jefferies). We were Sally passed all very happy working together at all of her 49, Old Christchurch Road. Hazel Institute of was the first to leave after her Bankers marriage. I followed, when I moved exams in one go, much to the upset of one or two on to work as an au pair near chaps... I think that sums it all up. Jean. Munich, and Sally also left when (Above) Old Christchurch Road branch as it is today. she married. At that time, Mr Allison, (left) was An update from Jean with photographs (which will 3 be published in the next Newsletter): ‘49 still There was Bob with three other gentlemen standing – unchanged! Hazel Jeffries, now Honeybun claiming to be Inspectors – Bob, Gerry Bindless and Sally Hantsch now Elliott are both 90 this year and two others. I asked for ID, which they could and are amazingly active. Thank you and your not provide, so I shut the door and said I would Committee for all the work you do to keep speak to the Manager, Ken Grasshoppers alive. Pearson (Left). He was very (Editor: Thankyou Jean for your kind comments and angry with me and rushed to great memories.