11-56-90 Newcastle Wingrove

Martins Bank Magazine spends much of the 1960s showcasing brand-new branches of the Bank that sprang up from nowhere several times a year, all over the country. In 1964 and in a sudden fit of remorse, the editor becomes “increasingly burdened with the thought that through limitations of space we are unable to cover some of the less fortunate offices”. Attempting to right this wrong, the Magazine then decides to feature a number of the older branches from the Newcastle area. Some of these – including Wingrove Branch – were also lucky enough to have been given an extensive makeover.

In Service: 1905 until 27 January 2022

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-2021

Sadly there is little substance in the text of the article, despite the inclusion of FIVE pictures of the branch… Therefore we have those to enjoy along with our “then and now” feature…

Wingrove Exterior Before…	…and after
Before visiting Newcastle upon Tyne in November, we spoke to Mr Weatherill, the District General Manager, and explained our wish to see a cross-section of branch life on Tyneside, from the bright and shining new building to the other sort- the sort which through age, lack of space, inadequacy of staff facilities or siting was marked down for reconstruction. Our first call was at Wingrove which, internally, is virtually a new branch.

Wingrove Interior Before…	… and after

As temporary premises were available across the road during the transformation, the staff were spared the discomfort of dust, grit, drilling and thuds. Sometimes, in our more villainous moments, we have wondered whether being compelled to work at a branch during the demolition of a strongroom might be used as a punishment or even as an incentive to more rapid progress in the Banking Diploma: transfer from such a place before work started could then become a form of reward. We realise, of course, that it would not work: it would be most unfair on the senior staff and on the girls in particular. We spent longer than we had intended at Wingrove with Mr N L Watson and his staff, who are a very cheerful crew…”

	Martins Bank Colleague Paul Thompson has supplied us with a number of contemporary images of North Eastern District Branches. Here we see Newcastle upon Tyne Westgate Road – Wingrove Branch – at its best in the 1960s, and not looking too bad today either…

Image © Barclays Ref 30-2021		Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections - 2015 Paul Thompson



*Mr A E Blaylock* *Joined the Bank here* *1916*	*Mr J P Cotton* *Manager* *1933 to 1950*	*Mr J Harbit* *Joined the Bank here* *1934 to 1935*	*Mr G R Taylor* *On the Staff* *1939 to 1939*	*Mr G B Varty* *On the staff* *1946 to 1946*	*Mr N L Watson* *Manager* *1950 to 1964*



*Mr A Dodd* *Joined Here 1962 to 1962* *On the Staff 1964 to 1967*	*Miss D L Jackson* *On the Staff* *1964*	*Miss D Robson* *On the Staff* *1964*	*Miss M Crump* *On the Staff* *1964*	*Miss T Fennessy* *On the Staff* *1964*	*Mr A W Warburton* *On the Staff* *1964*



*Mr C B Smith* *On the Staff* *1964*	*Mr D M Gresley-Grey* *On the Staff* *1964*	*Mr G F L Pearson* *On the Staff* *1964*	*Mr Michael Gibbney* *On the Staff* *1964*	*Mr R J Pearson* *Manager* *1964 onwards*	*Mr W Teasdale* *Limited Authority* *1965 to 1969*



*Paul Thompson* *Joined the Bank here* *Feb to May 1968*