11-57-70 Seaham

The North Eastern Banking Company opens a Branch at Seaham Harbour in 1898, and later, under the ownership of the Bank of Liverpool and Martins, a sub branch is added at Dawdon. This however turns out to be a short lived arrangement, and Dawdon is closed by Martins Bank in 1932, along with a number of tiny sub offices in order to help pay for the lavish new Head Offices and the rebuilding of 68 Lombard Street.

Seaham Branch is an impressive conversion from what looks like two terraced houses, a stone frontage and stone blocking elsewhere on the building give an impression of safety and security. It continues to operate for nine years under Barclays, closing down in 1978. For our Seaham feature, we go back to April 1963.

Just five days after the official celebrations of four hundred years of Martins Bank, Seaham Manager Mr R L Scott is retiring from an incredible forty-six years’ service with the Bank…

In Service: 1 December 1898 until 24 February 1978

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-2575

1960 s Seaham Interior 3 BGA Ref 30-2575

There was a happy, informal gathering at the Conservative Club, Seaham, to mark the retirement of Mr. R. L. Scott who, after 46 years' service, the last 13 of which had been spent as Manager at Seaham, retired at the end of April. Some 60 past and present colleagues and customers attended and were most liberally entertained. Mr. F. J. Savage of Seaham branch, in making the presentation of a gold wristlet watch and a wallet of notes on behalf of many friends, wished both Mr. and Mrs. Scott a very long and happy retirement.

1950 to 1963 Mr R L Scott Manager MBM-Su63P56.jpg It is Mr. Scott's intention to purchase a picture with the gift of money. Replying in his inimitable manner, Mr. Scott told his guests how he entered the service of the Bank and, to the amazement of all present, including his wife, he produced the original letter to his mother advising her that there would be a vacancy at the Bank of Liverpool, Sedgefield, if her young son cared to apply for it and attained the very high standard required by the Bank. During the course of the evening a bouquet was presented to Mrs. Scott. A few days prior to his retirement, Mr. Scott was entertained to lunch at Grey Street by the District General Management and on the last day, Mr. H. Ryder (North Eastern Assistant District Manager) called at the branch to tender good wishes for the future. After entering the Bank at Sedgefield in 1917 Mr. Scott subsequently served at West Cornforth, Newcastle, Spennymoor, Loftus and Quayside, before moving in 1939 to North Eastern District Office. He served in the Intelligence Corps during the war and on his return to civilian life worked at Clayton Street and Elswick before his appointment as Manager at Seaham in 1950.



*Mr L Walker* *Joined the Bank Here* *1916 Acting Manager 1942-46*	*Mr J H Wedderburn* *Manager* *1939 to 1948*	*Mr M A Charlton* *On the Staff* *1946 to 1950*	*Mr R W Wilson* *Joined the Bank Here* *1949 to 1951*	*Mr R L Scott* *Manager* *1950 to 1963*	*Mr R Thompson* *On the Staff* *1951 to 1952*



*Mr M Walker* *Joined the Bank Here* *1952 to 1955*	*Mr J Winstanley* *Manager* *1963 to 1966*	*Mr A MacDonald* *Manager* *1966 to 1969*	*Mr J K Lindsay* *Clerk in Charge* *1969*