A little part of Craven district will forever be home to a little yellow bear. (See IN THE LIMELIGHT) But there’s much more to Guiseley, as some wonderful colour images kindly provided to us by David Baxter show. You almost feel like time travel is possible as this little piece of history comes to life…
One day in the sixties Guiseley Branch in World Cup Year, 1966. © David Baxter
Our branch at Guiseley has quite a character of its own. For one thing, every member of the staff is a native of the district; and for another, it is the only branch we have so far come across where the counter is not shut off from the office by a screen. Quite what the Inspectors do when they make their periodic raids we don't know, but we ourselves would feel inclined to relieve the pressure on space by retiring with the ledgers and an adding machine to the nearby moorland. But I expect there's a clause about that. "Bertie" himself, as he is affectionately called from Mr. Verity downwards, has been managing Guiseley since 1931, his previous service having been at Keighley, where he started in 1912, Bingley, Silsden and Keighley again. He was Mr. Verity's second man at Silsden in 1926. He is also a veteran of the First World War in which he served from 1916 to 1919, and is Treasurer of Guiseley Baptist Church and of the Aireborough Savings Committee. F. Darnbrough entered the service at Colne in 1917 and subsequently served at Ilkley and Otley before going to Guiseley in 1930, where, apart from war service from 1942 to 1945, he has been ever since. During the war he spent part of his time with the R.A.F. in South Africa. He is quite a prominent bridge player in the district and often wins the weekly contest. C. Preston is a bank clerk who might have made a name for himself as a golfer. He has won a great many trophies and has a handicap of 3. His wife is a golfer, too. He came into the Bank in 1921 and has served at Bingley, Keighley, Silsden and on H.O. Relief Staff before going to Guiseley in 1948. He served with H.M. Forces during the last war for a year, but was invalided out. G. Vickers entered the Bank in 1948 at Otley and was transferred to Guiseley the same year. He was about to go for his " medical " prior to military service at the time of our visit and hopes to complete his Bankers' exams while he is away. Miss S. Crosby has only been in the Bank since May of last year, but appears to enjoy all the advantages which come as a result of being the only girl on the staff. At any rate, she seemed to be very happy. Shortly after midday Mr. Kershaw took us to his home for dinner, where we had the pleasure of meeting his wife and younger son. They have a very pleasant home in a beautiful situation above the town and a few minutes away there is a breath-taking moorland view. We went to see it after dinner, but it wasn't the view which took our breath away but the blast of icy wind blowing up from Otley. Still, on a nice day it would have been perfect. We enjoyed our visit very much and the warmth of our reception was ample recompense for the wintry conditions without.
Guiseley is one of many branches across the north of England to undergoes a makeover in the early 1960s. See also KENDAL and NEWCASTLE WINGROVE. The Spring 1963 edition of Martins Bank Magazine provides a centre page spread of such branches, with Guiseley’s new look interior shown off in colour:
Changing Rooms Guiseley almost bathed in interior sunshine! Image: Martins Bank Archive
Michael McMinn, Avril Outtersides, Philip Tindall, Jane Brumfitt, Richard Gilbert Hoyle, Yvette Servino Image © David Baxter 1965
Mr Bertie Kershaw Manager 1931 to 1956	Mr C P Smith Staff Member 1939 to 1942		Mr J R Barrett Staff Member 1942	Mr J M Thornton Staff Member 1946-1948
Mr J R Hardcastle Manager 1956-1965	Mr J Michael McMinn Staff Member 1962-1967		Miss Jane Brumfitt Cashier 1965	Mr K W Baxter Manager 1965 onwards
Avril Outtersides Staff Member 1966	Philip Tindall Staff Member 1966		Richard Gilbert Hoyle Staff Member 1966	Yvette Servino Staff Member 1966
Pat Hallam Staff Member 1967	Mr R T Dewhirst Pro Manager 1968
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Title:		11-23-41 Guiseley
Type:		Main Branch
Address:		45 Oxford Road Guiseley Yorkshire
Opening Hours:		Mon-Fri 1000-1500
		Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:		Guiseley 3951
Services:		Night Safe Installed
Manager:		Mr K W Baxter Manager
© gut informiert! 2007 to date

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