11-10-80 Sunderland Southwick

“Turn again Wilkinson,

Mayor of Sunderland”…

The North Eastern Banking Company opens a branch at Southwick in 1900. The image above, displayed with the kind permission of our friends at the Sunderland Echo, shows Southwick in the 1950s before the branch has a makeover. The results can be seen below, a new exterior and bright welcoming interior. By the time of the 1969 merger with Barclays, there have been a total of NINE Sunderland Branches, at Chester Road, Fawcett Street, Fulwell, Grangetown, Hendon, Millfield, Monkwearmouth, Pallion, and Southwick. Southwick is amongst the branches that are mothballed for part of the second world war, so that larger branches can be adequately staffed.

In 1964 Martins Bank Magazine meets a rather special member of the Sunderland staff. By day he is the guard at Southwick and Fulwell sub branches, but by night he is something of a Dick Whittington character - well, almost. He’s had quite an eventful life; having spent fifty years working for a colliery, he has met the Duke of Edinburgh twice, and he is now leaving the world of being a bank guard behind, to become the Mayor of Sunderland…

1964 02 MBM.jpg Mr Robert Wilkinson retired on May 9th after serving four-and-a-half years as bank guard at Southwick and Fulwell sub branches. Eleven days later he became Mayor of Sunderland. Always keenly interested in local government Mr Wilkinson was elected a member of Sunderland County Borough Council in 1945 and raised to the Aldermanic bench in 1959.

1959 to 1964 Mr Robert Wilkinson Guard MBM-Su64P49.jpg During the past year, as Deputy Mayor, he has twice had the honour of meeting H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. Before joining the Bank Mr Wilkinson worked at Wearmouth Colliery for fifty years, apart from service in Italy during the first world war. He has always been a keen sportsman.

In his younger days he was wicket-keeper for Wearmouth Colliery C.C. and has been a life-long supporter of Sunderland Football Club. His Bank service has been thoroughly enjoyable, he assures us, as it has enabled him to widen his circle of friends. Although both staff and customers are sorry to lose him, all wish him a very successful year as Mayor of Sunderland.

In Service: 1900 until 12 December 1969