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  We
made our way to Heaton Chapel, on April 3rd, and for the first time since
this series of articles started we picked a suburban branch, within half an
hour's travelling distance of a large city. No outpost this, and yet in its
way it has some of the features of isolation which are, at times, trying to
the staff. There are
two sub branches, at Heaton Mersey and Moor Top. The latter is staffed by
one man and a guard and the number of transactions handled is not large. It is purely a receiving office and it is
quite easy to understand the desire of anyone in charge not to be left
there too long. F. Marshall, who commenced his service in 1940, has
been at Moor Top since 1949, and has previously been at New Mills, Buxton
and Stockport. During the war he served with the R.A.F. from 1942 to 1947,
latterly in Germany.
Heaton Mersey sub branch
requires two to staff it. It is a much livelier little branch, pleasantly
situated, and the office is well-lit  and cheerful. G. W. Jordan was in charge when we called. He has been
there since 1948, and has previously served at All Saints, Manchester
Foreign, Bramhall, Northenden, Levenshulme, Macclesfield, Stockport and
Manchester. The war gave him wider experience and with the R.A.F, he served
in Iceland and West Africa. He is a keen amateur singer and a member of the
Wilmslow Operatic Society.
A. Bradshaw is the other member
of the staff. He has been there since he entered the service in 1949. His
present preoccupation is the Bankers' examinations, with the army on next
year's horizon. Mr. R. B.
Bedford himself will complete 43 years' service this December. He entered the
Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank in 1908 and served at Leeds, Bradford, Bury,
Shudehill and Spring Gardens before his appointment as Manager of Heaton
Chapel in 1938. During the First World War he served with the Yorkshire
Hussars as a signalling instructor. H.
Cumberlidge is well known to a number of us in Head Office because of being
at Macclesfield when Chief Accountant's Department was evacuated there
during the last war. Be it said
that his reputation as a fisherman is at least as great as his reputation
as a banker! He entered the Bank in 1919 and served from 1942-1946 in the
Forces. E.
I. Medcalf only started at Heaton Chapel on the day of our arrival, having
come from Collyhurst. During the war he served with the R.A.O.C. and later
with the Control Commission in Germany. The members of the staff are predominantly
R.A.F. types and J. L. B. Brame did his National Service with the R.A.F.
Regiment in Germany. He entered the service in 1947 and is now attacking
his examinations. C.
A. Andrews, who has been in the Bank since 1949, is also studying but will
shortly be going into the Forces and, in view of the record of the branch,
it is not surprising that he wants to get into the R.A.F.
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There are two girls
on the staff, though we had the pleasure of meeting only one, as Miss J. M.
G. Howard has been ill for some time. We hope to hear better news of her
soon. Miss J. P. Prime is well versed in the banking tradition. Her
father, Mr. D. Prime, was Manager of our Oldham Street branch, and her
brother, Harry Prime, is a valuable member of the Bank's Cricket team
(Manchester District). She herself is a soccer fan, though fond of all
sport. One of her passions at the moment is Scottish dancing and she is a
member of Miss Jean McLachlan's team which is earning a name for itself in
Manchester. She commenced her service in 1931 at Heaton Chapel, and
returned there in 1944 after spells at St. Ann's Square and Southport.
Mr. Blundell
accompanied us on this occasion and we were very pleased that Mrs. Bedford
was able to join the three of us for lunch.
We motored out to Woodford to one of those charming country hotels
which seem to abound in this part of Cheshire. Mrs. Bedford is a keen
supporter of amateur dramatics and her enthusiasm extended last year to the
organisation of a local Festival of Drama. Mr. Bedford is also associated
with this, though in the more prosaic role of Treasurer.
  on september
30 some 60 past and present colleagues were entertained by Mr
and Mrs Irwin to cocktails and buffet refreshments at the Heaton Chapel
Reform Club on Mr Irwin's retirement after 44 years' service. He had been
Manager at Heaton Chapel for the last nine years, the branch where he began
his career, all of which, apart from the war years, was spent in the
Manchester District.
Among those present were Mr F. Tunstall
and Mr A. N. Barratt who heard Mr D. B. M. Earles speak of Mr Irwin's
popularity among colleagues and customers. Amusing reminiscences of junior
days together were recalled by Mr J. A. Coombes (Manager, Broadheath) who,
on behalf of many colleagues, presented an electric power drill with hedge
clipping attachment, a pair of binoculars, a cheque and a mysterious
anonymous packet which, when opened, revealed an apron. In his response
Mr Irwin said that his wife had for some time been looking forward to a new
washing-up machine! He paid tribute to the excellent support she had given
him during his career and Miss Marjorie Wainwright presented her with a
bouquet. During the month Mr Irwin had lunched at Head Office as
Mr Maxwell's guest and at District Office as the guest of Mr Priestley.
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