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Martins Bank 1928+

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The fifteen years that lead up to the 1969 merger with Barclays is quite possibly the last period of real and steady growth in the  “old-fashioned” types of bank branch – untouched by computer technology, still operating systems and policies that go back fifty years or longer.  This “golden era” will shortly be consigned to history with the advent of competition – slowly at first with the invention of the credit card and the cash machine, then moved up a gear by clever advertising.

 

In Service: 1953 until 14 July 1972

1953 London Golders Green exterior 5 BGA Ref 30-1071.jpg

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-1071

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1953 London Golders Green exterior 1 BGA Ref 30-1071Finally comes the meltdown of branch banking that we see today, where we are encouraged to close branches ourselves by implication: By using the internet to perform banking transactions, we are apparently saying we don’t want Branches any more. Although the old Martin’s Private Bank provided a number of branches on the edges of London and in Kent, the modern day Martins Bank does not limit its southern expansion to places outside the capital.  From the 1930s to the 1960s a large number of new Branches are opened both in central and outer London, taking advantage of locations where the banking business can easily be poached from the Bank’s rivals.  Sometimes branches are acquired FROM other banks when their own branch network plans cause a property to become vacant.  Sometimes a site is just perfect, as in the case of our Martins’ Branch at Golders Green, which is visited not long after opening, by Martins Bank Magazine in 1954…

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1954 02Our new premises at Golders Green are excellently sited opposite the Tube Station at the main cross-roads on the Finchley Road. The office interior is a pleasing departure from the traditional oak or mahogany and the woodwork of light walnut and East African Oliverwood, in conjunction with concealed lighting which shines on walls each different in shades of olive green, lime green and grey, give a bright, welcoming and friendly appearance. The Manager's room is one of the most unusual we have seen, the wall behind the manager's desk being faced with wall-paper of attractive design to which attention is drawn by concealed lighting, and the remaining walls are painted grey, the whole effect being harmonious and restful, though perhaps a trifle exotic. It is one of those odd things that when the provincial is asked what he knows about Golders Green the thought which immediately springs to his mind is that of a crematorium. We shared this odd reaction and even suggested that the staff photograph might be taken with the crema­torium as a background, but the suggestion was received with a forced laugh so we did not pursue it!  

 

1954 Golders Green Staff MBM-Su54P26.jpgThe photograph can hardly be described as a true photograph of our Golders Green staff because on the day of our visit Miss R. M. Barton was away through illness, and as Mr. D. E. Vaux was on holiday two extra “hands” were on duty.  We did not meet Mr. Vaux, though he came in for the photograph, but the other people who appear on it are Mr. F. T. Belcher, a trainee of nearly a year's standing and Mr. J. S. Davies of District Office Relief Staff. The staff is an all-London staff, headed by Mr. V. W. H. Eckett, on whose brow the cares of management sit lightly. Mr. Eckett, who entered the service in 1926 has been at 68, Lombard Street, Swanley, Maidstone, Farnborough, Orpington, London District Office and at Sidcup. He held signing powers at Sidcup from December 1946 until his pre­sent appointment last year, his first managership. Mr. and Mrs. Eckett are both to their home ground, where natives of Golders Green and have been quite pleased to return they have many friends, after living in Orpington since  1937. Mr. D. E. Vaux is second-in-command and Mr. D. S. Gibbens is number three.

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1953 London Golders Green interior 4 BGA Ref 30-1071.jpg

1953 London Golders Green interior 2 BGA Ref 30-1071.jpg

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030/1071

Sometimes the stuff of which dreams are made, happens to ordinary people in ordinary places.  So it is that in 1966, Mr D G Harris, Manager of Golders Green Branch, meets a young man who will go on to carve a lasting legacy for himself on the World stage.  At this stage still known as Cassuis Clay, the future champion of civil rights is being honoured by the Pakistani Community of London…

1966 Mr DG Harris Manager Meets Casius Clay (Daily Express) CU MBM-Au66P461966 03

The only social function attended in England by Cassius Clay in april this year was a reception and dinner given in his honour by the Pakistani Community of London. The photograph shows him with Mr D G Harris (Manager, Golders Green) who attended as the guest of a customer, and found Cassius a very pleasant and intelligent young man.

1953 London Golders Green interior 3 BGA Ref 30-1071.jpg

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1954 to 1960 Mr V W H Eckett Manager MBM-Su54P26.jpg

1954 Mr DS Gibbens MBM-Su66P05.jpg

1954 Mr F T Belcher MBM-Su68P42.jpg

1954 Mr JS Davies MBM-Wi64P06.jpg

1960 to 1964 Mr KF Postle Manager MBM-Au64P05.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Mr V W H Eckett

Manager

1954 to 1960

Mr D E Vaux

Branch Second

1954

Mr D S Gibbens

On the Staff

1954

Mr F T Belcher

On the Staff

1954

Mr J S Davies

On the Staff

1954

Mr K F Postle

Manager

1960 to 1964

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1962 to 1967 Mr B B Harrington MBM-Sp67P05.jpg

1964 to 1965 Mr PC Twitchin Manager MBM-Au64P05.jpg

1965 Mr DG Harris Manager MBM-Wi65P06.jpg

BW Logo

BW Logo

BW Logo

 

 

 

 

 

Mr B B Harrington

On the Staff

1962 to 1967

Mr P C Twitchin

Manager

1964 to 1965

Mr D G Harris

Manager

1965 onwards

 

 

 

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Title:

Type:

Address:

Index Number and District:

Hours:

 

Telephone:

Services:

Manager:

11-04-40 London Golders Green

Full Branch

640 Finchley Road London NW11

460 London

Mon to Fri 1000-1500

Saturday 0900-1130

01 455 3540 & 4736

Nightsafe Installed

Mr D G Harris Manager

Golders Green is included in Martins Bank’s London Account Number Allocation, where Branches due for automation are given “significant  digits” to identify them at the London Computer Centre by account numbers issued. The Branch Customer Accounts will be identified by the significant digits 4 0.

 

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London Eltham SE9

1953

15 December 1969

14 July 1972

Opened by Martins Bank Limited

Barclays Bank Limited 20-34-05 Golders Green

Closed

London Hampstead