11-65-40 Manchester Hightown

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank opens a Branch at Hightown in 1924, consolidating its already wide and successful coverage of Manchester. The future is not however completely rosy, as Manchester will lose some of its branches to the terrible bombing of World War 2, and by the twenty-first century, most Martins Branches in the City will have been closed for good – some bulldozed by the path of progress, others too big, too small or too inconveniently located for Barclays’ plans.

For now we will concern ourselves with happier times – 1955 and the well-earned retirement of Mr Jessop, whose career is about to end at Hightown Branch, where he has been Manager for the last nine years.

In Service: 1924 until 9 April 1976

Image © Barclays Ref: 0030-1306

He is also one of the few staff we have recorded as having also worked at the ill-fated Corn Exchange Branch in Manchester, which was destroyed in the Manchester Blitz of Christmas 1940. Having originally joined Martins from another bank, Mr Jessop soon climbs the ladder of success. The length of retirement write-up in Martins Bank Magazine is a useful indicator of how well-liked – or not – a particular member of staff has been. It seems Mr Jessop is lucky, as his write-up is packed with compliments, and his gifts include a silver tea service! Martins Bank Magazine also notes that Mr Jessop can say several greetings in what it rather quaintly refers to as “the Jewish Tongue”, Hightown being one of Manchester’s Jewish Quarters…

1955 02 MBM.jpg 1946 to 1955 Mr W G F Jessop Manager MBM-Su55P50.jpg On the evening of February 28th, Mr. and Mrs. Jessop entertained a gathering of over 20 past and present members of the staff of Hightown branch and colleagues to dinner at the Town Hall Hotel, Manchester, including Mr. Isherwood who represented the District Office officials and brought with him the good wishes of all. It was a happy and intimate gathering and Mr. Jessop's only regret was that some of the past members of his staff who had since travelled far afield were prevented by illness from being present. The messages he received, however, left no doubt that they were with the party in spirit.^: After the meal Mr. W. R. S. Smith, who had been Mr. Jessop's colleague at the branch over the past few years, made the presentation of a silver afternoon tea service and tray, whilst Mrs. Jessop received a spray of flowers from Miss Ashworth, the youngest member of the staff.

Images © Barclays Ref 0030-1306

Mr. Jessop then rose, and although his speech started in traditional fashion with his very warm thanks for the presentation gifts, it finished, typical of his lively humour, with some good fun poked at his guests; and in particular the initiation of Mr. Lawrence, who was taking over the branch, in the several greetings he had learned over the years in the Jewish tongue. Mr. Lawrence responded and in wishing both of them many years of good health and happiness he was joined by all. Mr. Jessop commenced his business career with Farrows Bank and entered our bank in 1921 at Manchester. In 1922 he was appointed Pro Manager at Shudehill, and in 1928 Pro Manager at Hightown. In 1936 he went to District Office for a couple of years and in 1938 he became Pro Manager at Corn Exchange. In 1941 he was appointed Pro Manager at St. Ann's Square and later the same year Clerk-in-Charge at Hightown. He was made Manager at Hightown in 1946.



*Mr H C Hindley* *Clerk in Charge* *1936 to 1938*	*Mr W G F Jessop* *Manager* *1946 to 1955*	*Mr G Dyson* *On the Staff* *1951 to 1951*	*Mr G Steele* *On the Staff* *1953 to 1955*	*Mr W A Lawrence* *Manager* *1955 to 1960*	*Mr F Sharples* *On the Staff* *1955 to 1962*



*Mr D C Whiteley* *On the Staff* *1963 to 1965*	*Miss K Wallace* *Cashier* *1964*