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There are many examples of
the Bank’s branches being scattered throughout towns in the North, and
Gateshead is no exception. 86 High Street is Martins’ OLDEST branch in the town.
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In Service:
1872 until 7 May 1960
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 It was opened by the North Eastern Banking Company
in 1872.There are many examples of the Bank’s branches being scattered throughout
large towns in the North, and Gateshead is no exception. At the start of the 1960s, the building of a major new
branch in the town signals also the end of the line for two of the Bank’s
older offices. In 1895 a branch is
opened at 338 High Street, and this, along with 86 High Street runs through
the various mergers to become a branch of Martins Bank. 1910 sees the
addition of a branch at Coatsworth Road, and this remains open as a branch of
Barclays until July 2014. 1938 sees the completion of Team Valley Trading
Estate, which brings yet another Gateshead branch of Martins Bank! In 1960 it’s a case of “two into one” when
the business of 86 and 338 High Street is transferred to a new branch at 215
High Street, which remained open until 1 July 2022. This advertisement
heralds the opening of the new branch, and serves also to advise of the
closure of Nos 86 and 338 High Street. For our feature, we look at the
retirement celebrations for Mr G G Whittingham, manager of Gateshead from
1944 to 1957. Although he is retiring
early due to ill health, he has nevertheless put in an impressive forty-four
years!
 At
the close of business on February 12th present and former colleagues of Mr.
G. G. Whittingham met in Gateshead office to make a presentation to him upon
the occasion of his retirement from the Bank, unfortunately owing to
continued ill-health. Mr. W. Taylor, Manager at
Easington Colliery, made the presentation of a silver rose bowl and in a very
apt speech outlined Mr. Whittingham's long and successful career in the Bank.
Mr. Whittingham, as was only to be expected,
replied most effectively. He said that the fact that he had always had a
happy office had been a wonderful help to him throughout his service in the
Bank.
 Mrs.
Whittingham was at the function and was presented with a delightful bouquet
of flowers by Miss E. Marshall. Mr.
Whittingham entered the Bank in 1913 at Laygate. He served with H.M. Forces
from 1915 to 1919, afterwards returning to Laygate. He was appointed Manager
at Jesmond in 1932. He went to Gateshead as Manager in 1944. Throughout his career Mr. Whittingham took an interest in
many societies and associations outside the Bank. He was Chairman of Martins
Bank Players and had acted many times in their annual play, and we recall
with pleasure the charming " after the show " parties Mr. and Mrs.
Whittingham used to hold in their home. Mr.
and Mrs. Whittingham have taken up residence in Farnham, Surrey, where they
will be near their son, Wing Commander Peter Whittingham, who is a Surgeon
with the R.A.F., specialising particularly in Arctic medicine.
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