11-54-80 Timperley

This is Martins Bank’s Branch at Timperley, decked out with the kind of “mock tudor” effect that the Bank is particularly fond of, due to the conveyance of the idea of “permanence” – NANTWICH, STRATFORD UPON AVON, SHREWSBURY and SWANSEA are all good examples. Timperley comes to Martins from the 1928 amalgamation of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins, and under Martins it is a self accounting sub branch to Broadheath until its promotion to full branch status in 1969. At this point Mr Highley, Clerk in Charge of three years, finds himself promoted to Manager. In our feature, his predecessor Mr Hargreaves is about to retire after ten years in charge…

Image © Barclays Ref 0030/2931

1966 02 MBM.jpg 1956 to 1966 Mr R P Hargraves Clerk in Charge MBM-Su66P56.jpg on april 29 twenty-five past and present members of the staff met at Timperley branch to mark Mr Margraves' retirement as Clerk-in-Charge. Among those present were Mr F. Tunstall (Manchester District Superintendent of Branches) and Mr Eric Matthews, who retired as Manager of Portland Street branch in 1965. After all had been fortified with food and drink, Mr J. A. Coombes (Manager, Broadheath) made a humorous speech, referring to his pleasure in working with Mr Hargraves over the last ten years. He then presented him with his colleagues' cheque. Mr Hargraves, in reply, said how much he had enjoyed his years in the Bank, thanked his friends for the gift, and expressed his intention of buying a pedometer as he is a very keen walker. A short while before his retirement Mr Hargraves bought a house in Norwich and as Mrs Hargraves had already made the move she was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony. Mr Hargraves, who had earlier been entertained to lunch at Spring Gardens by his District General Manager, began his career at Blackburn branch in 1922 and served at many branches in the Manchester District. He received signing authority at Altrincham branch in 1951 and was appointed Clerk-in-Charge at Timperley in 1956. The years 1942-46 were spent in H.M. Forces.

Images © Barclays Ref 0030/2931

Today Timperley has had a number of its more “period features” covered over, but that unmistakable mock tudor still flies the flag for Martins Bank!

Merger legacy…

“Martins Branch” and the Grasshopper icon feature on the stationery of former Martins Branches from 1970 until the early 1980s. The wording and image feature mainly on cheques and Bank statements.

This Timperley cheque (original details disguised) is from the early 1970s and this particular design and layout will define Barclays Cheques until 1982 when the naming of companies changes to include the letters “PLC”. This also marks the end of the “Martins Branch” stationery.