11-86-20 Newcastle upon Tyne Clayton Street

Martins Bank already has a comprehensive coverage of Newcastle upon Tyne and its many suburbs, through the amalgamation of the North Eastern Bank with the Bank of Liverpool. The North Eastern District of the Bank is, in fact, the largest of all the Martins districts. It is worth remembering however, that centres of business change, and that quite often it is necessary for the Bank to adapt in order to remain competitive. Thus a large branch is opened by Martins in 1934 at Clayton Street. Barclays already has its own Branch down the road at 40 Clayton Street West, so when the two banks merge in 1969, the Martins Branch is closed, and the business transferred. For our feature we go back to 1967 and the retirement of Bill McDonald, Manager at Clayton Street since 1962…

1967 01 MBM.jpg

A party at Newcastle Conservative Club for some fifty past and present colleagues marked the retirement at the end of November of Bill McDonald: his guests included Messrs W. Weatherill, R. P. Gordon and K. O. Wells.

In Service: 3 September 1934 until 12 December 1969

Images © Barclays Ref: 0030-1994

Mr Prest (Pro Manager) spoke of the high regard in which Mr McDonald was held by customers and staff at Clayton Street, and Mr Weatherill, presenting a cheque, paid warm tribute to his loyal service. In responding Mr McDonald made special mention of his wife who was handed a bouquet by Miss E, Davinson. Mr McDonald's 43 years' service began at Hebburn and, apart from five years with H.M. Forces, was spent in the North Eastern District. He was appointed Manager at Redcar in 1951 and Manager at Clayton Street in 1962.