11-37-90 Whitley Bay

The North Eastern Banking Company provides Martins Bank’s Branch at Whitley Bay which opens in 1912 and comes from the 1914 merger with the Bank of Liverpool. In 1925, the Bank of Liverpool and Martins, opens a sub-branch to Whitley Bay, at Monkseaton. The majority of Martins’ North-Eastern branches were once part of the NEBC, and the North East is by far the largest district of Martins Bank with some 182 branches and sub branches open at one time or other between 1914 and 1969. When Barclays comes to call, it is definitely in the monority in the North East of England, where it is said - that here at least - Martins takes over Barclays!

In Service: opened 1912 until 1 December 2023

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-3195

1969 01 MBM.jpg A warning to all

rubber-plant owners…

Five - year - old Vaunda MacKay, daughter of our Whitley Bay branch manager, Mr A. W. S. MacKay, poses beside a giant rubber plant which has reached the branch ceiling. Seven years ago the twelve-inch-high plant was a Mother's Day gift to Mrs MacKay, but within three years it had outgrown their home and Mr MacKay was persuaded to move it to the branch. Now that the office ceiling has stopped the upward growth of the twelve-foot main stem the plant is retaliating with vigorous side-shoots…

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-3195

1948 01 MBM.jpg The retirement took place at the end of the year of Mr. Septimus Harvey, Manager of Whitley Bay branch. To mark the occasion a party was held at the branch and in addition to many colleagues the wives of the senior members of the Staff and some of the customers were present. The presentation of a radio receiver was made by Mr. C. V. H. Vincent on behalf of the subscribers and there was a special gift of a case of pastry forks to Mrs. Harvey. Mr. J. S. Moore presided and paid a graceful tribute to Mr. Harvey's never-failing kindness and to Mrs. Harvey's constant support and inspiration. Mr. T. C. Futers, the senior client present, Mr. A. E. Blaylock and Mr. H. C. Temple added their tributes to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey. Mr. Harvey entered the service at Ellison Street branch, Jarrow, in 1904, becoming a cashier in 1910. After serving at Newcastle and Seaham Harbour on the relief staff he joined H. M. Forces in 1915, serving until 1919, when he returned to Newcastle. He became Manager at Chester Road, Sunderland in 1923 ; at Benwell in 1928 ; and at Whitley Bay in 1932.

Images © Barclays Ref 0030-3195

A lick of paint and a lot of smiles…

Following the refurbishment of Whitley Bay Branch in 1956, the Bank sends a photographer along to obtain a shot of the new interior. What he comes back with is this happy group, not exactly indicative of a lick of paint, but certainly a pleasing sight as the staff exudes that “family” atmosphere engendered by the Bank…

This picture of our Whitley Bay staff was taken by the photographer who was engaged to photograph the branch interior, following the recent alterations. Left to right: Miss M. L. Graham, Miss J. D. Mortimer, Messrs. A. W. Burnside, J. Barrow, J. A. Mc Nail, A. N. Duncan (Manager), D. E. Lowery, Mrs. R. Prest and Miss N. M. Richardson.

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections



*Mr R K McConway* *Manager* *1913 to 1918*	*Mr Septimus Harvey* *Manager* *1932 to 1947*	*Mr D J Rutter* *Joined the bank here* *1940 to 1941*	*Mr W McCullagh* *On the Staff* *1946 to 1946*	*Mr J M Dobson* *On the Staff* *1947*	*Mr A E Blaylock* *Manager* *1948 to 1949*



*Miss J D Mortimer* *On the Staff* *1956*	*Miss M L Graham* *On the Staff* *1956*	*Miss N M Richardson* *On the Staff* *1956*	*Mr D E Lowery* *On the Staff* *1956*	*Mr J A McNail* *On the Staff* *1956*	*Mr J Barrow* *On the Staff* *1956*



*Mrs R Prest* *On the Staff* *1956*	*Mr A W Burnside* *On the Staff* *1956*	*Mr E H Jackson* *Manager* *1957 to 1964*	*Mr M S Blaylock* *On the staff* *1961 to 1963*	*Mr A W S Mackay* *Manager* *1964 onwards*	*Mr R Thompson* *Limited Authority* *1964 to 1966*



*Mr Barry Grogan* *Limited Authority* *1966 to 1967*