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All Change… Haltwhistle
Branch comes to Martins Bank through the amalgamation of the North Eastern
Banking Company and the Bank of Liverpool in 1914. The Branch Network Section
of our online archive features some of the best available images of Martins
Bank branches, as they were, in full glory and representative of their
time. By the 1960s Martins’ own branded image was particularly
familiar and distinct, so it came as a shock to some when the time came for
Barclays to put their name
over the door –Nowhere more so than the North and North-East of England,
where Martins dominated cities towns and villages alike. We have therefore
broken with to you how this typical small town branch looks not too long
after undergoing the transformation from Martins to Barclays. The branch interior is soon converted to the Barclays “look”, and we are
still some years off from the more recognisable “1975 Tills” which will
become a fixture in every Branch of Barclays. Bandit screens are a sign of
the times, and the days of the friendly open counters are gone, thanks to the
increase in armed raids on Britain’s Bank branches. For our Haltwhistle feature, we say goodbye
to Mr Keenlyside, who after a career of forty-four years, the last fourteen
of those as Manager at Haltwhistle, hangs up his Bank tie for the last time
at the end of April 1959. As ever, Martins Bank Magazine is there to cover
the event… The occasion of the retirement at the end of April of Mr.
A. W. Keenlyside, after 44 years' service, was marked by a gathering at his
home which was attended by the members of his staff at Haltwhistle. |
In Service: 1901 until 18 August 2023 On the
outside: Barclays Haltwhistle is open for business Branch Images © Barclays Ref: 0030-1167 On the
Inside: a few changes to the existing counter and décor… Image © Barclays Ref: 0030-1167 |
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Mr. F. Kirkland, second-in-command, presented Mr. Keenlyside
with a table lighter and Miss O. Foster gave Mrs. Keenlyside a bouquet. Mr.
Keenlyside entered the service in 1915 at Hexham. He served with H.M. Forces from 1917—1919, afterwards
returning to Hexham. In 1933 he joined the North Eastern D.G.M. staff, and
the following year went to Gateshead. He was transferred to Haltwhistle in
1940 and was appointed Manager there in 1945. He is well-known in the
Haltwhistle district and has taken an active interest in many organisations
there. His main activity now is centred on the Westgate Methodist Church, and
particularly the choir. |
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