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The various dinners and dances that are held for the Staff of Martins Bank over the years, are too numerous for all of them to be featured here. We have therefore chosen to look at some of the first few Liverpool Dinners and Dances – as these were instrumental in establishing the popularity of these social occasions throughout the Bank - and then we will display menus, tickets and group photos from a selection of events held in other districts. We are still looking for menu cards and/or tickets for dinners and dances held in the Northern, Craven and South Western Districts. If you have one of these items and can scan it or lend it to us for scanning, please do get in touch with Martins Bank Archive at the usual address – gutinfo@btinternet.com.
Best
bib and tucker…
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Left to Right: Dr. Charles McKendrick,
Mr. J. Carter, Miss Bibby, General Manager, Miss Gwenneth McKendrick, Mrs. McKendrick, Mr. J. Hodges, Mrs.
T. H. Naylor and Major A. H. Bibby, Chairman of the Bank. |
Mrs.
McKendrick making a presentation to the winners of a spot prize, Mr. J. McLean (Chester Branch) and Mrs. McLean |
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Mr. A. J. Frost, manager, Income Tax Department, and Mrs. Frost; Mr. C. Whiteley,
manager, Foreign branch, and Mrs. Whiteley; and many others. Mr. Papworth acted as Master of
Ceremonies, assisted by Mr. Frost. Nearly every branch in the Liverpool district was represented at the dance
and a fleet of buses by six different transport companies conveyed guests to
and from their home district. In the course of the
evening the Chief General Manager spoke a few words of welcome to the guests, and during
the interval a short entertainment
was given by Mr. Claude Branston,
the well-known B.B.C.
entertainer. The event was an
outstanding success, though most people found the time all too short for the reunions which were a
feature of the gathering. It is hoped that a dance will become an annual
function in the district now that a start has been made. |
The 1947 Dinner Committee |
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…and now for a dance!
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The 1949 Dance Committee
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Dinners and Dances become an annual must, and joining one of the Bank’s operatic or dramatic societies is also a very popular move. (See SONG AND DANCE). The 1949 Dance Committee meets throughout the year to plan for that year’s dance, which will be held on 6 December. Although it was always going to be hard to match the figure of one thousand and sixteen staff members who attended the first post-war dance in 1947, the 1949 dance – with almost three hundred participants, is appreciated as a complete success, as Martins Bank magazine notes in its Spring 1950 edition . . .
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“Crossing the line” during the
elimination quick step. |
A supper-time group
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The Débutante… |
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Fond memories . . . Before we move to
dinners and dances in other districts, we end our look at Liverpool with this
selection of menu/invitation cards…
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Images © Martins Bank Archive Collection – Beryl Creer
The 1952 Staff Dance ticket seems irresistible – who wouldn’t want to dance along to Gerry Barber and his orchestra(!) Now – and in no particular order – our “lucky dip” of district Dinners and Dances gives a good representation of the popularity of such events held by the Staff of Martins Bank down the years . . .
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The Grasshopper at the Grosvenor . . . |
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By the mid sixties, the venue has changed to the equally expensive Grosvenor hotel. Here’s a taste of the menu, and we have also a cartoon and write up from Martins Bank Magazine, which were published in the Spring 1969 issue… |
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The toast to
the Bank and the guests was in the capable hands of Mr G. Milne (Manager, St
James's Street). Having been on the staff of the British Mutual Bank at the
time of its acquisition by Martins Mr Milne felt qualified to comment— with much wit—on take-overs in general and the
Barclays-Martins fusion in particular. Mr Keswick's friendly and
humorous response included the secret of success in banking. His story concerned
a certain chief clerk who kept a locked drawer, opening it only once a day,
on his arrival. The day after he retired his colleagues searched the drawer
and found only a scrap of paper bearing the magic words: 'Credit to the
right, debit to the left'. The formal proceedings ended with Mr Turnbull’s
thanks to Mr Peters and his committee for the excellent arrangements. Then
came the opportunity to renew old friendships and to enjoy dancing to Sydney
Lipton and his band.
Report and Cartoon by P Searle (Exeter Branch)
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Attendance: 100 – (including a dozen of the ladies) . . .
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So far as the
writer is concerned, being now too old to care overmuch about excellent food,
he gets his rest and relaxation from meeting his “country” colleagues,
wherever the venue! Owing to the petrol shortage it was arranged that the
Head Office guests would go by coach and the resulting 40-seater enabled each
of the thirteen travellers to feel that neither his comfort nor his dignity
had been outraged by this somewhat trippery mode of travel. Even so, one or
two preferred to sit together, but the occasional roars of laughter which
proceeded from these spots in the vehicle did not disturb the sleepers unduly
and there was never any danger of the cargo being mistaken for supporters
returning from some sporting event.
The Chair was taken by Mr. J. A. Banks as District General Manager and
the Guest of Honour was Mr. D. O. Maxwell, Joint General Manager. In his
opening remarks Mr. Banks made special reference to the presence of three
pensioners of the District, Mr. W. B. Carson, Mr. Bertie E. Jones and Mr. B.
Kershaw. |
Image ©
Martins Bank Archive Collection – Estate of Jessie Wilkinson |
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The toast of
“The Bank” was proposed by Mr. J. R. Hardcastle, Manager, Guiseley, in a
speech which might be summed up as an expression of gratitude. He bid his
listeners remember their debt to the past, thanked our directors for the work
they are doing and reminded us of the asset which does not appear on the
balance sheet—an efficient
staff working together in a spirit of good fellowship which reaches across
our counters to our customers. “Martins Bank is as good as its staff”, he
declared. The toast of “Our Guests” was proposed by Mr. J. N. Slater, Colne
branch. After making special reference to the “new boys” at the dinner, Mr.
T. I. Bond, Chief Accountant, and Mr. G. E. Clarkson, Liverpool
Superintendent of Branches, Mr. Slater concentrated on the regulars and
managed to find something humorous to say at the expense of each of them.
Very cleverly he did it, too—more by
inference than downright statement. Thus, of the Staff Manager, Mr. R. H.
Price, he said: “There is nothing fresh we can say about him: everything
possible has been said, in public or in private”. Mr. Slater made special
reference to Mr. Carter, who was making his last appearance in the Craven
District as Chief Inspector before his retirement, and his appreciative
references were warmly applauded. He also referred in warm terms to the work
of Mr. J. E. Deyes, Secretary of the Bank, in piloting through so skilfully
the Capital reorganisation scheme.
The other
guests were Mr. H. C. S. Whalley, Trustee Manager; Mr. W. Weatherill, Liverpool
Assistant District Manager; Mr. A. R. W. Wetherell, Manager of Liverpool
Overseas branch; Mr. A. T. Foulkes and the Editor. The response to both
toasts was made by Mr. Maxwell. He began by urging us all to take a good look
at ourselves, and to try to see ourselves as others see us, as he felt that
the Bank would benefit if we were to have an occasional personal stocktaking.
He then listed seventeen qualities which, according to a Stationery Office
publication, were desirable assets for a bank employee to possess. We
received the impression that they were desirable attributes for anyone to
have, never mind a bank clerk! Mr. Maxwell then went on to remind us of the
popular sayings about our profession—that a bank manager is an individual who lends you his umbrella when
it is fine and wants it back when it starts to rain, and the one about the
glass eye worn by one bank manager being the more sympathetic of the two. He
went on to compliment the Craven District for providing their fair share of
men fit to carry responsibility, reminding them that the District had already
produced one Chief General Manager. He advised young men always to be
prepared to move when the opportunity presented itself, reminding them that
“promotion” is two-thirds “motion”, Mr. Maxwell concluded his speech with a warm
personal reference to Mr. Charles Carter: “He has found it possible to
combine authority with real friendliness”, he said, “and has set an example
to all of us by his integrity and gentleness of manner”.
Mr. E. C. Ellison, Assistant Manager at Skipton,
proposed the toast of “The Ladies”, and expressed the thanks of all of us for
what they do to make our lives a little more colourful. Miss Ursula M.
Stansfield, of Colne branch, responded on behalf of the ladies of the
District. “I hope that in all due modesty we may accept your complimentary
references as justifiable”, she said, and went on to inform her listeners
that the girls like to be appreciated for themselves as well as for their
work. We think they need have no worries on that score. During the evening we
were entertained with a song by Miss K. M. Ingham, Padiham branch, and Mr. A.
Barrett, Manager at Padiham, entertained us on the piano. Thanks to Mr. Banks
for his services as Chairman were expressed by Mr. Earnshaw and Mr. Banks
thanked the Dinner Committee for all their work. The number attending the
Dinner on this occasion was exactly 100, including about a dozen of the
ladies. |
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Key of the door… |
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The Midland District of the Bank stages twenty-one annual dinners before the merger with Barclays is complete. The 1969 menu represents the twenty-first anniversary of the event through the illustration of twenty-one five pence coins, the last one bearing an image of Martins Bank’s Grasshopper. The five pence piece was put into circulation in 1968, three years before the UK currency changed completely to a decimal system. At the time of the menu, shillings and five pence pieces were interchangeable and were circulated together. This somewhat optimistic embrace of the future is spoiled by the fact that most of Martins Branches in Birmingham would be closed at or shortly after the merger date of 15 December 1969… |
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The 1965 Midland District dinner is held at Birmingham’s Grand Hotel, and we have chosen to feature this particular event for the expression of two attitudes of that particular time, made in a speech to the diners and guests by Colonel P H Jones, who was then the Chairman of Martins Bank’s Midland District. He talks – to a somewhat jingoistic degree – about the “expansionist policy” of the Bank, and he goes on to set out the “choices” to be had by the female staff of the Bank – to have a career OR a marriage – but not both . . .
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Sep2 For the
benefit of the younger members present Colonel Jones then outlined his own
career from which it became clear that application to one's work,
qualifications, wide interests, the ability to make friends and the determination
to mix with and understand all sorts of people, are far more important to
success than 'connections' or 'influence'. Praising the expansionist policy
of the Bank he criticised those who thought it fashionable to decry their
country and its efforts, thus giving an impression of national inferiority
which delighted our competitors.
Finally,
Colonel Jones paid tribute to the ladies many of whom could obtain promotion
but most of whom preferred marriage. Mr J. A. Banks, responding to the toast,
spoke of the problems peculiar to the younger Districts where business must
be sought on strange ground and he outlined not only the approach but the
ways in which customers could be made happy to come into the Bank. His speech
revealed a real awareness in Head Office of the problems and difficulties
affecting the Districts and branches and he concluded with some advice on
today's security problems. After Mr
Turnbull had complimented and thanked Mr John Willis and the dinner committee
for their excellent arrangements, informal dancing occupied the remainder of
the evening. |
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In ever greater numbers, they came . . . |
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We must thank Martins Staff Member and Friend of the Archive Brian Harfield, for supplying us with menus and photographs from various Manchester District Dinners of the 1960s. The photographs give an excellent indication of how popular these events were, featuring row upon row of diners sitting at packed tables. Left we see the table for the Staff of Swinton Branch at the 1961 dinner held at Manchester’s Grand Hotel.
Below left we see diners seated at the Brown Street Branch table of the 1963 Dinner held 12 November at the Cumberland Suite, Belle Vue, Manchester. This was the seventeenth Manchester dinner and for the first time in many years, the guests (some 660 of them) were seated in one giant room! Below right is the Brown Street Branch table for the dinner held in 1966 at the same venue. This time however, the number of diners is even greater – some EIGHT HUNDRED staff members in attendance! The Guest of Honour is the Chief General Manager of Martins Bank, Mr D O Maxwell.
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1963 |
1966 |
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Best of three . . . |
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The occasion was a notable one in
that it was the first social function to be attended by our new Chief General
Manager, Mr. C. J. Verity, and his Deputy, Mr. Conacher. Other Head Office officials included Mr.
Johnson, Mr. Price, Mr. Dew, Mr. Laidlaw and Mr. Winnard, while Mr. Myles
Kenyon represented the Directors of the General Board. In his opening remarks
as Chairman Mr. Johnson, on behalf of all present, extended a special welcome
to Mr. Verity and Mr. Conacher and voiced the pleasure of all at the presence
of Mr. Myles Kenyon and the three representatives of the pensioners, Mr.
Holliday, Mr. Addison and Mr. Read. The toast of “The Bank” was proposed by
Mr. E. W. Wilkinson, Manager of Barrow-in-Furness branch. The Bank is, he
said, our past, our present and our future.
Provided we play the game, from the age of 16 or 17 the Bank provides
for us for the rest of our lives. In
responding, Mr. Verity first of all referred to Mr. McKendrick, so recently
gone from our midst. He said “I count it as one of the great privileges of my
life to have served him and it will be my object to emulate him”. He reminded us that what counts is not so
much what we achieve as how we play the game. So far as the immediate future
is concerned he assured us that with a Yorkshireman in charge, with a
Scotsman to assist him and with a Welshman in support in London the Bank was
in good fettle!
Mr. R. Nicholson, Manager of
Bowness branch, then proposed the toast of " Our Guests,"
mentioning each by name with a special reference to the presence on their
first day of office of Mr. Verity and Mr. Conacher, and to the presence for
the second time of Mr. Myles Kenyon. Mr. Conacher replied for the guests and
assured his listeners that he and Mr. Verity would do their utmost to serve
the Bank and look after the interests of the staff. He referred to the
initiative shown by Mr. McKendrick in promoting these gatherings and said
that under Mr. Verity's leadership the good work would be continued. He also
spoke appreciatively of the work of the Chairman and members of the Dinner
Committee in arranging such a happy function.
Mr. Myles Kenyon was not down to
speak but he is too good a raconteur for the Chairman to allow such an
opportunity to slip and he came up to scratch magnificently. He began,
however, in serious vein by telling us of his work with Mr. Verity in
Manchester and of his conviction as to the wisdom of the appointment. "
I shall back you to the utmost " he assured Mr. Verity. The toast to
“The Ladies” was proposed by Mr. Price, who declared that though he might be
ignorant of femininity, he had a good deal of knowledge of the contribution
the ladies make to the life of the Bank. They bring keenness, ability and
intelligence to their duties and the percentage of ladies of the total staff
was a reflection of the confidence felt in them by the General Management. Miss Joyce E. Jopson replied to this toast
and in roguish vein reminded Mr. Johnson of his remarks of the previous year
when he had called them the sweets of the earth, qualifying the compliment by
a reference to the presence among them of some humbugs. The piquancy of the
flavour of her speech had lost nothing by virtue of the fact that she had had
to wait a year to deliver it. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed
by Mr. J. G. Young, Manager of Kirkby Stephen branch, and in responding Mr.
Johnson thanked the Dinner Committee for their labours. During the course of
the evening Miss Todhunter (Carlisle), Mr. G. M. Park (Dalton), Mr. F. Smith
(Kendal) and Mr. R. Nicholson (Bowness) rendered songs; Mr. H. F. Earnshaw
(Kendal) gave a pianoforte recital and Mr. B. Tyson (Ambleside) gave a
humorous recitation. In our opinion, the occasion was, as a result of the
improvements introduced, definitely the best of the three so far held. |
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The old man of Threadneedle Street? |
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The Leeds District Dinners were only started in 1950,
and here we visit the second dinner, which was held on 31 March 1951
at the hotel Metropole in Leeds. Men of the 1950s, prepare yourselves for a
shock – women are just as clever as you are, in fact many would say much MORE
clever, so look out for Miss M R Wright of Shipley Branch, whose after dinner
speech dazzled those assembled with its display of eloquence, and its warning
that women are just as influential in the world of banking as men! |
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Mr. Heaton said that when thinking about the Bank his mind
was filled with thoughts of pride and of gratitude for the excellent
conditions of service we enjoy, for the wonderful spirit which prevails and
for the good comrades encountered and the lifelong friendships formed. Mr.
Conacher replied to this toast and commenced by paying a tribute to the
spirit in the Leeds District, a spirit which stands no higher in any other
district of the Bank. He then made a very warmly received reference to the
presence of Colonel Walker and went on to express his pleasure at the
presence of the ladies. He referred to the absence of our Chief General
Manager, who was in Australia, and to its significance from the point of view
of the Leeds District which is so largely preoccupied with the woollen
trade. He made a pleasant reference to
the value of the connection received through the acquisition of the British
Mutual Bank and his remarks to those present about the field of opportunity
opening out for promising young men through the expansion of the Bank was
most heartening. The list of places in which the Bank intends to commence
business proved as intriguing as it was attractive and the decision to open in
the Channel Islands is a bold one.
The toast of “Our Guests” was proposed in light-hearted and
humorous vein by Mr. E. C. Beardwood (Sub Manager, Bradford) who brought
roars of laughter from his listeners by his references to the little
“peculiarities” and “weaknesses” of the guests. Mr. Tarn responded and in referring to the
traditional Yorkshire hospitality which had been dispensed that evening said
how glad he was to meet socially the members of the Staff of the Leeds
District and to know something of them personally. To Mr. Price fell the task of proposing the
toast to the ladies, a task which he performed in his usual acceptable
mann&r with a mixture of kindly wit and wisdom. He revealed that there is
a larger proportion of ladies in the Leeds District than in any other
district of the Bank. The theory of
the supremacy of the male at formal speech making was seriously challenged by
Miss Horsburgh at the Liverpool Dinner, but it was knocked for six at
Leeds. Miss M. R. Wright in reply to
Mr. Price, made a speech which should make the Leeds District and Shipley
branch in particular feel very proud of her.
After a dazzling display of eloquence she completely stumped her
listeners, who had been informed of the comparatively recent advent of ladies
into banks, by affirming that they had always exerted a controlling influence
and she followed her statement up by asking whether anyone had ever heard of
“The Old Man of Threadneedle Street”. She concluded by claiming, amid
applause, that the ladies play a not unimportant part in keeping the wheels
of commerce turning. Colonel Walker
was then prevailed upon to make a few remarks and, in drawing attention to
the fact that the emphasis in the speeches had tended to be on the future,
reminded his listeners that we have not only a future but also a great past
in which we have all played our part in making the Bank as we know it today.
Mr. Samuel brought the proceedings to a conclusion by expressing on behalf of
all those present thanks to the Committee for the excellence of the
arrangements and for all the hard work they had put in to make the evening
the success it undoubtedly was. The members of the committee were Miss M.
Crossley (Halifax), Mr. N. L. Jackson (Shipley), Mr. A. Mitchell (Pro
Manager, Bradford), Mr. H. T. Bartrop (Sub Manager, Leeds City Office) and
Mr, E, J. Winnard (Inspector, Leeds District Office). |
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A dinner AND a
dance! |
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Things suddenly seem to be a little more “stiff and
starchy” in this review of the North Eastern District Dinner, which was held
at the Royal Station Hotel Newcastle, on 8 December 1951. We have THREE photos, but not one of them
shows the smiling faces of the two hundred and six assembled guests. This is,
after all a dinner held for the MALE staff of North Eastern District, and we
see a kind of “who’s who” of the top brass of the district! In our second article, things seem a little
more relaxed, as we see a small group of staff at the North Eastern District
Annual Dance, held on 23 January 1952 at the Gordon Hotel Newcastle upon
Tyne… |
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Left to Right: Mr Naisbitt, Mr Maxwell, Mr Dresser, Sir Humphrey Noble, Mr P Wrightson, Mr Banks, and Mr
Jobling. Seated: Sir William Gray, Mr A H Bibby, and Mr Verity. |
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The Guest of Honour was Mr. A. Harold Bibby, Chairman of
the Bank, and the other guests were Mr. Verity, Mr. Price, Mr Maxwell, Mr.
Banks and Mr. Naisbitt. Mr. Dresser presided, and, after welcoming all the
guests with kindly references to the accomplishments of each, called upon Mr.
S. A. Elton, Manager of Darlington branch, to propose the toast of “The
Bank”.
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Mr Bibby shares a joke with Mr E G Lowery and Mr W S
Blaylock |
“In toasting the Bank”, he said, “we are really
toasting ourselves, for its prosperity depends upon us”.
The Chairman of the Bank responded and, referring to
the growth and progress of our Institution, expressed the opinion that the
manner in which the many constituent parts have been welded into one
harmonious whole, a task accomplished
without losing the individual character of the various components, was a
matter of congratulation to all concerned.
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Sir Humphrey Noble and Mr Peter Wrighton enjoy a
story. |
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He also paid a warm tribute to the part played by the
North Eastern district in the management and direction of the Bank. The toast to the guests was proposed
by Mr. G. G. Whittingham, Manager of Gateshead branch, in a speech which was
commented upon by Mr. Verity, who responded, as being one of the wittiest
speeches he had heard for many a day.
The keynote of Mr. Verity's remarks was “enthusiasm”. “The man of second-rate ability with
enthusiasm”, he said, “often outstrips the man of first-rate ability with
less enthusiasm”. Mr. Maxwell was
prevailed upon to make a few remarks and the proceedings concluded with a few
words of thanks to Mr. Dresser for presiding, voiced by Mr. W. McCullagh, of
Whitley Bay branch. |
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After the progress made by Miss M R Wright of Shipley
Branch, who at the Leeds Dinner we visited above spoke so eloquently of the
value of women in banking, it is perhaps more than annoying to see that at
the all male Dinner in Newcastle, the men were so quick to congratulate
themselves for the prosperity and progress of the Bank! Next – and with a photo describing what the
writer of the article percieves as a “happy group” – we journey to
Newcastle’s Gordon Hotel, where almost seven weeks after the dinner, the
North eastern District’s annual dance is held. Everyone looks as if they’d
rather be somewhere else, but at least we have evidence that some of the
women of the district were allowed out for the night… |
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A happy group, including Mr
Dresser and Sir Humphrey Noble, at the annual dance held at the
Gordon Hotel on 23 January. |
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…and finally, a dinner FOLLOWED
BY a dance! |
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Martins Bank has been opening branches throughout the
South West of England since it all began with Bristol in the 1930s. A South
Western DISTRICT is, however not so forthcoming, being finally established
and given a district office and staff in 1960. The Dinner and Dance described
below is billed as the FIRST South Western District Dinner, although it is
actually the EIGHTH to have taken place in the area since 1953! The new
district takes in the English counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset,
Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Somerset and Wiltshire,and the Welsh
counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. The District Office is situated in
Corn Street, Bristol, a City which by 1969 boasts EIGHT branches of Martins
Bank. Prior to the establishment of the District in 1960, the south Western
Branches were under the care of Liverpool District Office. Once up and
running,south Western district takes on the business of four Branches that
were previously part of Midland District. Despite this being the first
official South Western Dinner, even though it also has its own dance, no
photographic record is published with the write up of the event published in
Martins Bank Magazine. We have therefore added a couple of images of South
Western District Office…
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Speaking of the South Western District,
he mentioned that Mr. McWatters had visited every branch twice since the
District formed and had met most of the members of the staff. He had also
visited a number of American banks on behalf of the Bank during his recent
visit to the United States, and he knew that his enthusiasm would be a source
of great encouragement to Mr. Clarkson and his colleagues. He then referred
with regret to the untimely death of Viscount Cilcennin. Speaking of the
progress of branches in the District he assured his listeners that he got as
big a thrill out of their successes as did the managers themselves, but he
emphasized that management always had been and will be the biggest problem of
the Bank, which cannot be run successfully by second rate individuals. He
referred to the work of the girls of the Bank and mentioned the recent first
peace time Board appointment of a girl to be head of an important department,
stating that others would follow. He then gave his listeners some insight into
the organisation of a world tour and of the purpose of these overseas tours,
stressing how vital it is to maintain contacts, as we are constantly seeking
to improve our overseas business. His short account of his recent tour was of
absorbing interest, most graphic in its detail.
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That concludes our tour of some of the Dinners and Dances held by the various districts of Martins Bank, and if you can help fill the gaps in our Archive with images of menus, tickets, memories or photographs from a Martins Bank Dinner or Dance event, please do get in touch with us at the usual address – gutinfo@btinternet.com.
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The Staff of
Martins Bank works extremely hard, all year round.
By the end of the
1940s the Bank reaches full steam ahead once more after the ravages of World
War II in which it loses many valuable members of the staff, and loses
several branches to the Luftwaffe.
There is a plentiful
supply of menus in the Archive, for the London District Dinners. They range
(almost without gaps in date order) from 1950 to 1969. Here, we have chosen
the last Dinner to have been held before the merger process with Barclays had
fully begun. In the 1950s, London Dinners were held at the prestigious Savoy
Hotel. 
Menus and tickets
for staff dinners and dances in the Craven District, are notable by their
complete absence from the Archive.
