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Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank

Another “palace” at the street corner, and another branch acquired through the merger of the Bank of Liverpool and Martins and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, No1 Yorkshire Street Rochdale becomes Martins Bank’s main branch in the Rochdale area.  There is also a self accounting sub-branch at Buersil and a sub-branch at Smallbridge.

Somewhere between being built in 1875 and 1964, the tower atop Rochdale branch seems to have been removed (see “What happened to the tower?” below).  If you know why, why not get in touch with us at the usual address martinsbankarchive@btinternet.com. The feature pages for many of the branches on this site would benefit greatly from memories and images of the buildings and staff of Martins Bank. The period 1950-1969 will still be within in living memory for many of the staff and former customers of the bank, and we never cease to be amazed by some of the memories and photographs that have already been sent to us.

In Service: 1875 until 18 April 2024

 

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Image circa 1940 © Barclays Ref 0030-2450

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Image: 1922 W N Townson Bequest

Image: 1964 Martins Bank Archive collections

 

What happened to the tower?

 

A distinctly different rooftop in 1964 begs the question – where has the tower gone?1947 to 1953 Mr O A Cooper Manager MBM-Wi53P52  Comparing the various roof points on this building might lead us to conclude war time damage and some extensive rebuilding “up top”… 

Martins bank’s Managers are known for lengths of service that seem almost inconceivable in today’s employment market. At Rochdale Branch in 1953, Mr Cooper is about to retire after forty-four years, and as usual, Martins Bank Magazine is there to mark the occasion… 

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1950 01 MBM.jpgAfter a banking career of more than 44 years, Mr O A Cooper retired from the managership of Rochdale Branch on August 31st . Commencing his banking career in 1909 as a junior at the Rochdale branch of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, he rounded it off as Manager, thus achieving the honour of finishing on the highest rung of the ladder at the office in which he started.  Not all his career was spent at Rochdale Branch.  In 1936 he was transferred to Manchester District Office, and in 1946 he was appointed to the managership of St Ann’s Square, relinquishing it in 1947 to become Manager at Rochdale. 

 

Images © Barclays Ref 0030/2450

On the eve of his retirement Mr Cooper entertained his staff and a number of former colleagues to dinner in the Masonic Assembly Rooms. Mr Cooper is a prominent Freemason, being a Past Provincial Grand Officer in Craft Masonry, a Founder and Past Master of Roch Valley Lodge and a founder of Fabric Mark Lodge.  Music and sport are among his other interests, but indifferent health has compelled him to give up some of his former pursuits, though he still remains active in Masonic circles. At the dinner, Mr Duncan, Assistant Manager, made the presentation of a gold wrist watch and cheque, and, calling upon his long association with Mr Cooper, delighted all present with some amusing anecdotes of earlier days.  Mr H S Mellor, Manchester District Inspector, expressed the hope that Mr Copper would have a long and happy retirement, and, as one batchelor to another, offered him sxome good advice.   This expression of good wishes was seconded by Mr S M Lee, Manager at Dewsbury.  In reply, Mr Cooper expressed his thanks to Mr H Lowe, and Mr W Townsend, who had assisted him in the arrangements for the evening.  mr W Beswick, who suceeds Mr Cooper at Rochdale, expressed the thanks of all present for the evening’s hospitality, and on their behalf wished him god-speed, good health and good fortune in the years that lie ahead.

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1908 to 1921 Mr A Baldwin MBM-Sp49P21.jpg

1925 to 1937 Mr R Crawford joined the bank here MBM-Au64P03.jpg

1933 to 1944  Mr T Cowpe Manager MBM-Au47P24.jpg

Mr A Baldwin

On the Staff

1908 to 1921

Mr G Hollows

Joined the Bank here

1914 to 1924

Mr T Whittaker

Joined the Bank here

1915

Mr R Crawford

Joined the Bank Here

1925 to 1937

Mr T Cowpe

Manager

1933 to 1944

Mr J Stevenson

On the Staff

1939 to 1969

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1944 to 1947 Mr H Blundell Manager MBM-Su62P51.jpg

1946 to 1949 Mr A S Dennett MBM-Su68P23.jpg

1947 to 1953 Mr O A Cooper Manager MBM-Wi53P52.jpg

1948 to 1948 Mr A Meadowcroft joined the bank here MBM-Au65P02.jpg

Mr H Blundell

manager

1944 to 1947

Mr A S Dennett

On the Staff

1946 to 1949

Mr S Walker

On the Staff

1946 to 1949

Mr H S Kaye

Assistant Manager

1946 to 1952

Mr O A Cooper

Manager

1947 to 1953

Mr A Meadowcroft

Joined the Bank Here

1948 to 1948

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1948 to 1948 Mr N I Petrie MBM-Wi65P40.jpg

1952 to 1953 Mr D C Whiteley joined the bank here MBM-Sp65P04.jpg

1953 to 1956 Mr J L Whitehead MBM-Wi67P04.jpg

1953 to 1956 Mr W Beswick Manager MBM-Wi64P53.jpg

1958 to 1960  Mr E Haslam Pro Manager MBM-Wi63P07.jpg

1960 to 1961 Mr G B Hibbert Pro Manager MBM-Wi64P08.jpg

Mr N I Petrie

On the Staff

1948 to 1948

Mr D C Whiteley

Joined the Bank here

1952 to 1953

Mr J L Whitehead

On the Staff

1953 to 1956

Mr W Beswick

Manager

1953 to 1956

Mr E Haslam

Pro Manager

1958 to 1960

Mr G B Hibbert

Pro Manager

1960 to 1961

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1960 to x Mr F Kirkman  MBM-Su69P62.jpg

1961 to 1968 Mr C Halstead MBM-Su68P22.jpg

1962 to 1963 Mr T R Froggatt pro Manager MBM-Wi63P05.jpg

1964 Mr D Lee Manager MBM-Au64P05.jpg

1969 (up to) Mr Frank Openshaw Manager MBM-Su54P20.jpg

Mr F Kirkman

On the Staff

1960 to ?

Mr C Halstead

On the Staff

1961 to 1968

Mr T R Froggatt

Pro Manager

1962 to 1963

Mr G C Jackson

Pro then Asst Manager

1963 to 1964

Mr D Lee

Manager

1964 to ?

Mr Frank Openshaw

Manager

? to 1969

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1969 Mr M H Samman Manager MBM-Sp69P10.jpg

Mr H Samman

Manager

1969

 

 

 

 

BARCLAYS BANK LIMITED

South Parade

DISTRICT BANK LIMITED

Town Hall Square

567 Bury Road

LLOYDS BANK LIMITED

17 Yorkshire Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARTINS BANK LIMITED

1 Yorkshire Street

Buersil

Smallbridge

MIDLAND BANK LIMITED

Yorkshire Street

Oldham Road

NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK

3 Drake Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WESTMINSTER BANK LIMITED

South Parade

WILLIAMS DEACON’S BANK

The Butts Avenue

YORKSHIRE BANK LIMITED

Yorkshire Street

77 Drake Street

Title:

Type:

Address:

Index Number and District:

Hours:

 

Telephone:

Services:

Manager:

11-19-70 Rochdale

Full Branch

1 Yorkshire Street Rochdale Lancashire

774 Manchester

Mon to Fri 1000-1500

Saturday 0900-1130

Rochdale 44231/2

Nightsafe Installed

Mr H Samman Manager

 

 

Littleborough

1875

1928

15 December 1969

18 April 2024

Opened by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank

Martins Bank Limited

Barclays Bank Limited 20-72-67 Rochdale Yorkshire Street

Closed permanently from 12 noon

Rochdale Buersil

 

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