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Restoration…
We visited our new branch at Nantwich on 19th September, and
there is no doubt about it, we have made a very handsome addition to the main
street by the building which we have acquired and restored. It was only after reconstruction work had
been begun on the premises in preparation for its conversion into a branch of
the Bank that the original Elizabethan framework was exposed. |
In Service: April 1951 until l7 May 1971
Branch Images © Barclays
Ref 0030/1954 |
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Apparently, what happened was that at
some time or other, in order to satisfy current taste, a false front was
added and its original character was hidden. It has not proved possible to
find out much of the history of the premises, but the method of construction
is interesting, while of all the buildings which have been preserved from the
past it is the half-timbered buildings of the Tudors which seem to have the
greatest appeal for most people. The
characteristic feature of these buildings was the corner post at each angle
of the building, consisting of a massive balk of timber squared out of a tree
trunk which was usually set bottom end upwards. Upon the spur so obtained the
upper floors were supported and also to the uprights were secured the
horizontal beams and framing.
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Branch Images © Barclays
Ref 0030/1954
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Image ©
Martins Bank Archive Collections Advertisement
Restored 15/05/2020
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Every tenon and joint was firmly held by
a wooden peg, the head of which remained projecting. There is little doubt
that this means of fastening, rather than the use of iron, accounted for the
remarkable durability of the buildings of the period. The history of Nantwich dates back before
the Roman occupation and it owes its importance to the salt workings. We had
hoped to go down a salt mine, but the last one in Nantwich ceased working in
1850. The ruins of one of the old
brine baths can be seen from the bridge which crosses the stream near our branch.
The legionaries, based on Chester, who
worked in the pits at Nantwich, received part of their pay in salt. It was
known as salarium, from which
is derived our word salary. The
origin of the saying about a man being worth his salt is also made plain. The
town was almost destroyed by fire in 1583 and Queen Elizabeth was so shocked
at the loss to the people of Nantwich that she not only gave £1,000 from her private purse and timber from the
nearby Royal Forest of Delamere towards its rebuilding, but she also
commanded a collection to be made in all churches of the realm.
At
that time Sir Richard Martin was Master of the Mint, an interesting link
between the Sign of the Grasshopper and Nantwich.
The builders have now reduced our building in High Street to its
original wooden frame and by skilful use of new timber and steel disguised to
look like timber the building has been restored to its original Elizabethan
beauty.
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One notices
a church-like smell on entering and in the mellow light which comes through
the ceiling glass the idea of
antiquity has been very
cleverly suggested. Of course, Mr.
Armistead and Mr. Hartley have got a tough job in front of them. As our
Midland pioneers know it is no easy task to start a new branch in a strange
place, but a lot of good will has already been established by the appearance
of the building alone and neither of them is frightened of hard work. We had
the pleasure of meeting Mr. Armistead's bride, for they have only been
married since July. We had tea in their new home of which they are
justifiably proud. We were also pleased to meet Miss E. J. Shingler who lives
in Crewe, which is only half an hour away by bus.
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