Whilst working on special
duties for Barclays at Walton Branch in the 1980s, our editor was told “park
yer car by da footie field if yer don’t wonnit nicht” – useful information,
and one which left a modest second-hand Austin Maestro free of theft and
vandalism for a whole week! The Bank
of Liverpool opened Walton Branch some seven years after the foundation
nearby of the world famous football club – St Botolph’s. The later change of name to Everton FC was
probably a smart move, as both the club, and the branch have been there ever
since. The photo dates from around the
late 1940s, and in the full version further down this page, you can see
evidence of tramwires and lines. For our feature we go back to 1965, and the
retirement of Walton Branch Manager Mr Routledge
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In Service:
January 1885 until Friday 06 October 2017
Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-3055
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at the end of March Mr Routledge,
Manager of Walton branch, retired after 44 years' service. A few days earlier some 40 present and former colleagues
met at the branch to say farewell and, after being welcomed by the
second-in-command, Mr F. Bush, they heard Mr I. Buchanan (Liverpool District
General Manager) speak of Mr Routledge's career before handing him a cheque
on behalf of subscribers with the good wishes of all for a happy retirement.
Mr Routledge must have been extremely popular
during his nine years in Liverpool Foreign branch, said Mr Buchanan, judging
by the large number of 'ex-foreigners' present. His varied career, which
included 4 years in H.M. Forces, had begun in 1921 and included three spells
at Walton branch: the first as junior and the third as Manager since 1960. Mr
Buchanan hoped that the quieter days ahead would bring an improvement in Mr
Routledge's health. Mr Routledge, obviously
affected by the occasion, made a brief speech of thanks and after Mrs
Routledge had received a bouquet from Miss Jean Whittaker the company enjoyed
the refreshments provided. His colleagues'
cheque will be used to purchase something for the new home he intends to buy
in Crosby where he will be pursuing his hobbies of photography and gardening.
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