11-16-30 West Cornforth

The North Eastern Banking Company opens a branch at West Cornforth in 1899, and so begins an eighty-seven year relationship between the village and its bank.

West Cornforth is not too far from Ferryhill, but in this wonderful picture it might as well have been conjured up in the mind of a children’s author! You can almost imagine young wizards and witches calling here to withdraw gold with which to purchase broomsticks and spell books.

In 1946, when Martins Bank Magazine publishes the retirement article shown below, West Cornforth is still a full Branch. In later years it serves as a sub branch to COXHOE. The following account of Mr Sinclair taking a well-earned rest after 43 years in the Bank is our only story from West Cornforth.

In Service: 2 January 1899 until 30 October 1986

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-3133

If you have memories of this or any of Martins Bank’s 1000+ Branch Buildings, please do get in touch with us at the usual address – martinsbankarchive@btinternet.com.

1931 to 1946 Mr C A Sinclair Manager MBM-Au46P23.jpg 1946 03 MBM.jpg By a happy coincidence Mr. Sinclair's retirement from the service took place on his sixtieth birthday, and Friday, June 29th was marked by a very pleasant double ceremony—a birthday tea and a presentation ceremony. In the presence of a small gathering of friends Mrs. Witton made the presentation of a whisky flask to the retiring manager, on whose proposition the gift was suitably christened. Mr. Sinclair entered the bank in 1903 at Stanley branch. After service at Annfield Plain and Consett he became manager of Coxhoe branch in 1921, and received his appointment to West Cornforth in 1931.



*Mr T Mavin* *Joined Here 1909 to 1919* *Manager 1921 to 1931*	*Mr Luke Wanless* *Joined the Bank Here* *1915 to 1917*	*Mr R L Scott* *Joined the Bank Here* *1917*	*Mr C A Sinclair* *Manager* *1931 to 1946*	*Mr K J Peacock* *On the Staff* *1938 to 1940*	*Mr T S Glendenning* *On the Staff* *1946 to 1952*



*Mr R Harrison* *On the Staff* *1953 to 1954*	*Mr E Summerbell* *Manager* *1969 onwards*