11-99-00 Carlisle Botchergate

Opened in 1898, the branch at Botchergate is one of two branches of the Carlisle and Cumberland Bank that have come to Martins through amalgamation in 1911. The offices at 33 ENGLISH STREET and at 147 Botchergate are run as two separate full Branches of the Bank, providing Martins’ extremely helpful service to two distinct parts of the City of Carlisle.

For our feature we go back to the Winter of 1966, when a very special member of the Botchergate staff retires. Mr J A P Johnstone, Manager since 1960, is named “The Farmers’ Banker” by the Cumberland News, reflecting the high esteem in which he is held by agricultural customers …

In Service: 1898 until 24 January 1975

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-0560

1966 04 MBM.jpg the cumberland news chose The Farmers' Banker as a headline to mark the retirement in October of Mr J. A. P. Johnstone after seven years as Manager of Botchergate branch: this heading, over his photograph taken in the cattle market adjoining the office, was well chosen for few managers have been more highly regarded and many customers of this farming branch called during his last weeks to express thanks for the kindly but firm way he had helped them. Mr Johnstone took leave of his many friends at a sherry party at the Red Lion Hotel on October 26 when the Assistant District Manager presented a transistor radio on behalf of friends and conveyed his own and the Bank's good wishes and thanks.

1960s Blank Cheque Book Carlisle Botchergate.jpg We were reminded that, though born in Scotland, Mr Johnstone began his service at Head Office but spent most of his banking life at Longtown and Carlisle and had been Pro Manager at Carlisle branch for six years before going to Botchergate. Mrs Johnstone, who had herself arranged the floral decorations in the room, received a bouquet from Miss Anne McCormack. Two days later Mr and Mrs Johnstone, with three of their sons and their wives, entertained the Botchergate staff at a family dinner party at the Crown Hotel, Wetheral. They will visit their fourth son in New Zealand next year.

Mr Johnstone’s son with New Zealand became a well known broadcaster there over several decades, and with his help, and that of Mr Johnstone’s other children, see a very early photograph of Mr Johnstone on our page for DALSTON - sub Branch to Carlisle.

Despite having been closed down in 1975, Botchergate retains its unmistakable looks as a Bank more than forty years later... In the absence of a contemporary photo of the Branch, we have this image from our friends at Google® Street View.

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-0560

Image © Google 2010




*Mr G T Blair* *Joined the Bank Here* *1924 to 1940*	*Mr J H Ritchie* *On the Staff* *ca. 1930*	*Mr G W Iveson* *Manager* *1935 to 1960*	*Mr P Wardle* *On the Staff* *ca. 1937*	*Mr F E Burnett* *On the Staff* *1939*	*Mr J M Varty* *Joined the Bank here* *1939 to 1942*



*Mr J G Scurr* *On the Staff* *1953 to 1955*	*Miss J Davidson* *On the Staff* *1955 to 1957*	*Mr I T Blair* *On the Staff* *1957 to 1959*	*Mr J D Bainbridge* *On the Staff* *1959 to 1961*	*Mr J A P Johnston* *Manager* *1960 to 1966*	*Mr M J McFadyen* *On the Staff* *1963 onwards*

BARCLAYS BANK LIMITED	CLYDESDALE BANK	DISTRICT BANK LIMITED

LLOYDS BANK LIMITED	MARTINS BANK LIMITED English Street Botchergate	MIDLAND BANK LIMITED English Street Court Square Court Square Exec&Ttee Dalston

NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK	UNITED DOMINIONS TRUST	WESTMINSTER BANK LIMITED

WILLIAMS DEACON’S BANK