11-58-90 Wolsingham

Well connected at Wolsingham…

When looking at this image of Martins Bank’s Wolsingham Branch, (from November 1954) you could be forgiven for thinking that it is somehow the nerve centre of a kind of 1950s information super highway. It seems almost everything is connected by wires to the roof of the building! It just goes to show how much more underground cabling there is today! Summertime agricultural shows are held up and down the land, and Martins Bank’s Mobile Branches attend at anything up to eighty different venues each year. In the Summer of 1961 the Bank is at the Wolsingham show, and you can read more about the logistics of covering such a large number of outdoor events on our MOBILE BRANCHES page.

In Service: 1899 until 5 July 2018

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-3255

The Staff who attended the 1961 Wolsingham show took a number of snapshots like this one (right) depicting setting up for the event and packing away afterwards. Our Wolsingham feature is from 1965, when at last it is time for the Branch Manager, Mr J Soulsby to retire after an collosal forty-three years in the Bank. Martins Bank Magazine features his retirement celebrations in their Summer issue…

1965 02 MBM.jpg on april 30th Mr Soulsby retired after 43 years in the service. He began his career at Wolsingham branch and spent the last eighteen years there as Manager. From 1928 to 1946 he worked at Barnard Castle branch with a break of 4 years' war service. Earlier in the week Mr Weatherill called to wish him well in retirement and he was also entertained to lunch at Grey Street and by the General Management at Head Office. To mark his retirement Mr and Mrs Soulsby gave a buffet meal to many past and present colleagues at the White Horse Hotel, Darlington.

1947 to 1965 Mr J Soulsby Manager MBM-Su65P56.jpg

Mr Norman Alderson, now retired, who spent many years with Mr Soulsby at Barnard Castle branch, recalled, in presenting Mr Soulsby with a clock on behalf of subscribers, many amusing incidents which occurred during their years together, particularly when they lodged in Barnard Castle and travelled to sub branches by horse and trap. Miss M. Longstaff of the Wolsingham staff presented Mrs Soulsby with a bouquet and Mr M. A. Charlton (Pro Staff Manager) added the good wishes of District Office. Mr Soulsby spoke very highly of his past and present staff and thanked his wife for her invaluable assistance over the years. He had been delighted to receive an additional gift earlier in the day from present members of his staff.



*Mr J G Shaw* *Manager* *1909 to 1946*	*Mr J Milner* *On the Staff* *1940 to 1941*	*Mr D G Settle* *On the Staff* *1941 to 1942*	*Mr S Bainbridge* *Joined the Bank Here* *1942 to 1943*	*Mr J Soulsby* *Manager* *1947 to 1965*	*Mr S Harling* *On the Staff* *1949 to 1950*



*Mr Malcolm L Humble* *Joined the Bank Here* *1950 to 1952*	*Mr J R Temple* *Manager* *1965 Onwards*