|
 Special
thanks also go to Denis Richardson, amongst whose many generous donations
of items to the Archive is this computerised Branch Cheque bearing the
address “187 Laygate” from the early 1960s.
Martins Bank Magazine does not
visit Laygate, but we do have two retirement features for you. The first concerns Mr Gibson, who retires
in 1930 after twenty years as Manager, and then in 1964 it is the turn of
Mr W J Richardson, Manager for the last fourteen years, to retire from
Martins. Mr Gibson gives a farewell
tea to his friends and colleagues, and following a career that has spanned
45 years, Mr Richardson has become a very popular figure, as is evidenced
by some two hundred staff, friends and associates, who attend a cocktail
party in his honour…
  After
42 years' service, Mr. H. M. Gibson, Manager of Laygate, South Shields
branch, retired on 31August. He entered the North Eastern Banking Company
in 1908, and, apart from service in Belgium and France during the First
World War and five years as Manager of Tyne Dock branch, between 1925 and
1930, the whole of his banking career has been spent at Laygate branch. To
mark the occasion of his retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson entertained to tea
thirty-five present and former members of the staff. In making the
presentation of a clock and reading lamp, Mr. I. Skipper spoke of the very
high regard in which Mr. Gibson was held by staff and customers, many of
whom called during his last few days to wish him a happy retirement.
Tributes were also paid by Mr. C. V. H. Vincent, Mr. W. J. Richardson, the
new Manager at Laygate, Mr. G. C. Whittingham, Manager at Gateshead, and
Mr. W. O. C. Garrick, Manager at Newburn branch. Mrs. Thelma Jackson, who
was Mr. Gibson's first lady clerk, handed a bouquet of carnations to Mrs.
Gibson.Mr. Gibson, in expressing thanks for the gifts, referred in happy
reminiscences to the various characteristics of the men and women who had
served under his management. A telegram
of good wishes was received from Mr. C. Armatage, Manager of Stafford
branch, who was prevented from being present.
  on the occasion of his retirement Mr W. J. Richardson, Manager of Laygate branch, entertained 200 colleagues, business associates and friends to a cocktail party and
buffet at the New Crown Hotel, South Shields.
Of his 45 years' service, 26 had been spent in three different
periods at Laygate, the last 14 as
Manager. He entered the Bank at
King Street branch in 1918 and received his first appointment as Manager at Chester Road in 1945. Two years later he became Assistant Manager at Sunderland and in 1950 he took over the managership of
Laygate branch. Mr H. Taylor (Assistant District Manager) headed a representative
body from District
Office and it was good to see five colleagues from a staff of nine at
Laygate branch forty
years ago. In making
the presentation of a camera, two fireside
chairs and a cheque, Mr J. Stephenson
(Pro Manager) paid tribute to Mr
Richardson's active life both in the Bank and in public affairs. Mrs
Richardson was presented with a handbag
and a bouquet by Miss Lightfoot
and Miss Tutin. After
Dr Cohen and Mr Scott had spoken on behalf
of the customers Mr Richardson replied mentioning the happy association which had existed between himself and the customers, the loyalty of his staff, and the assistance given by District Office officials.
During the day Mr W.
Weatherill (District General
Manager) had called to extend his good wishes to Mr Richardson for a long and happy retirement
and, earlier in the
week, Mr Richardson had been entertained to lunch at both Head Office and North Eastern District Office.
|
