11-06-40 Newcastle upon Tyne Gosforth

The North Eastern Banking Company opens a branch at Gosforth in 1894, starting a banking relationship with this part of Newcastle upon Tyne, which is still going strong today. Back in 1951, Gosforth is the first of Martins Bank’s Newcastle Branches to receive a visit from Martins Bank Magazine, and you can read about this in our feature below. Our images show the branch exterior from before and after its 1964 revamp, and we also get to look inside at the new décor…

1951 04 MBM.jpg

In Service: 30 April 1894 until 11 March 2022

Image © February 1962 Barclays Ref: 0030-2001

1951 Gosforth Staff MBM-Wi51P11.jpg There were several good reasons why Gosforth, of the various branches in the Newcastle area, should have been the first to receive a visit in connection with this feature in the Magazine. First of all, because the name McKendrick, well-known and honoured in the Bank, has gained additional lustre through the activities of the present manager, Mr. J. Cantley McKendrick, a cousin of our former Chief General Manager; secondly, because Mr. H. Rowland Child, the second man, has helped us from time to time and his humorous parodies have been among the best things we have published. We also had the pleasure of the company of Mr. and Mrs. McKendrick on our Italian Lakes holiday this year and this was the final thing which resolved us to put off the visit no longer. Mr. McKendrick is an amateur artist of no mean achievement. He is Chairman and Treasurer of the Newcastle Society of Artists and his work has frequently appeared in their annual exhibitions in the Halton Galleries. His work has also been accepted for exhibition by the Pastel Society in London, and one of his pictures was selected by the Arts Exhibition Bureau for exhibition all over the country. We have been privileged to see samples of his work in our own annual Autumn Exhibition at Head Office and have reproduced some of them in this Magazine. Mr. McKendrick entered the Bank in 1911 and has served at Dunston, Gallowgate, Corbridge, Quayside, Loftus and Chester-le-Street before his appointment as Assistant Manager at Morpeth in 1929. He became Manager at Gosforth in 1936.

Fast-forward: Gosforth after its early 1960s makeover, INSIDE…

Images © February 1962 Barclays Ref: 0030-2001

Mr. Child has spent most of his time in the North-Eastern District, but he was in the London District for a short time during the last war, when he was appointed Acting Manager at Southall. He is one of the leading lights in Martins Bank Players and has acted as Producer and in other capacities. The only other man at the branch is Mr. A. Pigdon, who entered the Bank in 1941 and served in the R.A.F. from 1943 to 1947. Miss M. E. Hall is the senior girl. She was a cashier at Newcastle City Office during the war and takes second till at Gosforth now. The other three girls, aged 15, 17 and 19, respectively, are Audrey Richardson, Audrey Elford and Joan Davison. They help to make an extremely happy office. We had the pleasure of visiting Mr. and Mrs. McKendrick in their home and, later, of entertaining them in Newcastle before our return.

…and, OUTSIDE…

1955 02 MBM.jpg 1955 Mr J C McKendrick Manager at Retirement MBM-Su55P53 Mr and Mrs McKendrick were “At Home” to banking colleagues and friends at a delightful little gathering in the rooms of the Northern Architectural Association on April 29th. The walls were adorned with many fine examples of Mr. McKendrick's artistic skill. Light refreshments were served, and at an appropriate point in the proceedings Mr. H. R. Child presented Mr. McKendrick with a cheque representing donations made by past and present colleagues. Mr. Child spoke of the friendly and warm-hearted qualities which had always endeared Mr. McKendrick to his colleagues and to his staff. In his reply Mr. McKendrick spoke of his many happy years in the Bank. He had, however, an absorbing hobby which he relied on to save him from the boredom which seemed to afflict many men in retirement. He proposed with the proceeds of the cheque to buy a pedestal for his television set, and a cabinet for his artistic materials, and the contemplation of these articles would always remind him of his loyal and generous colleagues. Mr. and Mrs. McKendrick were known to a wider circle of colleagues through their participation in the Bank Party to the Italian Lakes in 1951. We remember with affection this kind and sensitive man and his charming wife and join with our North-Eastern colleagues in wishing them much happiness in the years to come. Mr. McKendrick entered the Bank in 1911 and served at Dunston, Gallowgate, Corbridge, Quayside, Loftus, Chester-le-Street and Gosforth before his appointment as Assistant Manager at Morpeth in 1929. He was appointed Manager at Gosforth in 1936. He served with H.M. Forces from 1916 to 1919.

DISTRICT BANK LIMITED

MARTINS BANK LIMITED

MIDLAND BANK LIMITED



*Mr J C McKendrick* *Manager* *1936 to 1955*	*Mr R S Hall* *Joined the Bank Here* *1938 to 1939*	*Mr R J Pearson* *On the Staff* *1946 to 1949*	*Miss Anne Richardson* *On the Staff* *1951*	*Miss Audrey Davison* *On the Staff* *1951*	*Miss Audrey Efford* *On the Staff* *1951*



*Miss Marjorie Hall* *On the Staff* *1951*	*Mr A Pigdon* *On the Staff* *1951*	*Mr H Rowland Child* *On the Staff* *1951*	*Mr J Cantley* *On the Staff* *1951*	*Mr F W Burdon* *Manager* *1955 to 1961*	*Mr W F Surtees* *Manager* *1961 to 1967*



*Mr M S Blaylock* *On the Staff* *1963 to 1965*	*Mr T D Muitt* *Manager* *1967 onwards*	*Mr G A Farnell* *Limited Authority* *1967 to 1969*