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 In 1959, the latest addition to Martins Bank’s brand new South Western
Region is this handsome looking branch at Swansea. Martins has long since been a fan of the
“mock Tudor” look, and here are plenty of wooden beams to satisfy that
particular craving. Sadly, Swansea is
not part of Barclays’ dreams going forward, and the branch closes within a
year or so of the merger. Still, as
befits a building of this stature, (not to mention a vague resemblance to a
wedding cake) the modern day occupants are a prestigious bridalwear
company! For our feature, we will
journey back to the start of it all.
Image © Martins Bank Archive Collection
Advertisement restored and re-mastered
by Martins Bank Archive April 2019
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In Service: 12 March 1959 to 22 April 1971
Image
© Barclays Ref 0030-2860
Where better to begin, than with the visit to Swansea of Martins Bank
Magazine, whose staff provide a detailed commentary on what is apparently a
“wonderful new branch” and its staff. The devastation suffered by Swansea in the
Second World War is also mentioned. We are sorry, that despite holding a
number of photographs of the branch, we have still to come across an example
of the unusual clock described in the article – if you can help, please do
get in touch with us at the usual address – martinsbankarchive@btinternet.com.
 We in Liverpool have often been heard to complain of the lack of
appreciation in other parts of the country of the part Liverpool played in
the last war, and of the immense damage the city suffered. The strict censorship was, of course,
responsible for the popular idea that, apart from London, Coventry was the
only city to suffer vast destruction. A visit to Swansea would surely make the most
ardent Liverpudlian feel that the lack of appreciation has not, after all,
just been on one side. We ourselves had no idea of the extent of destruction
sustained by Swansea.
The long-term result has been the construction of a new Swansea, a
city of broad streets and fine buildings which contrasts very sharply with
what remains of the old town. Our branch is wonderfully situated in an excellent spot
in the new part of the city, just on the edge of the old main shopping
centre. We have thus the best of both worlds, for all our competitors are in
the old part, the nearest of them being only a block away. Coming from the
main station ours is the first bank to be seen, and the extremely fine
external appearance of the building in which it is situated, combined with
its position, gives it an advantage which few of our branches possess.
Coming by train from Cardiff, one's first impressions of Swansea are
that it is an ugly place. The steel works at Port Talbot must be one of the
largest plants in Europe and the immense amount of new building there,
including a new marshalling yard and a new station (in course of construction)
leads one to expect similar developments in what is, after all, the second
city of Wales. Instead, here is the "old" Swansea, the coal
exporting port and centre of the tinplate industry, a prospect of ugly lines
of houses climbing rash-like up the fair hillside, dumps of every description
and dilapidated buildings.
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Having reached the terminus one realises that the
worst has been seen and from this point onwards all is new and clean and
well planned—a city of contrasts
indeed. Swansea guards the entrance to the Gower
peninsula which has some of the loveliest coastal scenery in Britain, any
number of lovely sandy coves, winding country lanes and comparatively
unspoilt villages.
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Images © Barclays Ref 0030-2860
The
interior of our branch is no less attractive
than the exterior and incorporates at least one unusual fixture. This is an
upholstered front to the counter, a padded counter, in fact. The
impact of our South Welsh customers evidently demands some form of shock
absorption! Standing at the counter
the customer's gaze is averted by the striking marble wall at the back of
the office.
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His wife's familiarity with the area
has made the move a very happy one for both of them. Mr. G. L. Humphreys
and his wife are Birkenhead people and have no previous connection with South
Wales, apart from holiday visits. However, a knowledge of Welsh and a trick of fate have combined to
divert Mr. Humphreys from a Liverpool appointment, for which he was already
destined, to take over the managership of this new branch, made vacant by the
sudden and untimely death of Mr. D. H. Price who had opened the branch only
a few short months before.
At this point we would like to place on
record our tribute to David Price for the help he gave us from time to time
by his beautiful photographic contributions to this Magazine. He had thrown
himself heart and soul into his new job at Swansea and was supremely happy
in it. The foundations of what will
be a very prosperous branch were laid by him and it was tragic indeed that
he did not live to see the full results of his labours. Mr. Humphreys
commenced his career in 1936 at Charing Cross and served at South John
Street, Victoria Street, Liverpool City Office, Wallasey, Ellesmere Port
and at various branches on relief.
Image © Barclays Ref 0030-2860
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A very modern clock is incorporated in
the design, the numerals being affixed to the marble. Woodwork, polished in the lightest
possible shade to bring out the beauty of the grain, calls forth the
admiring comments of everyone who comes into the place. The accommodation
is spacious, tasteful, colourful and in every way excellent. It is the kind
of branch which would make those who work at our older crowded branches
green with envy and when Mr. Norman-Butler sees it he will be the first to
send off a letter of congratulations to the Premises Manager, wishing it
was situated in the London District! But if the staff is fortunate in its
branch, the Manager is indeed fortunate in his staff. In his second-in-command, Mr. C. H. U. Morris, he has a warm,
friendly personality, devoted to his job, utterly dependable and with the
ability to inspire the confidence of customers and staff alike. He entered the Bank in 1939 and has
served at Mossley Hill, Helsby, Kirkby, Clubmoor, Liverpool Overseas,
Walton and Scotland Road, plus a spell of five years in H.M. Forces.
All smiles – the Swansea Staff poses for a group photo
during the visit of Martins Bank Magazine in 1959
He served with H.M. Forces from
1939-1946 and in 1953 joined the Inspection Staff. He became Pro Manager at
Waterloo in 1954 and was appointed Assistant Manager at Castle Street in
1958. Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys have two sons and we were privileged in being
received in their pleasant home. None of them has yet got over the
feeling of being on holiday, with so many seaside attractions in the
beautiful Gower peninsula and a summer such as we have had this year in
which to enjoy them. Mr. A. W.
Button entered the Bank this year and travels from the most westerly point
of the Gower peninsular, a matter of 16 miles, to Swansea. He is in every
way an excellent type of young man who will not be long in making his mark.
Representing the ladies is Miss B. H. Thomas who lives in the northern part
of the peninsula. She has had previous business experience—three years
with the National Coal Board and elsewhere, and is an excellent typist and
is rapidly mastering the intricacies of bank book-keeping. A very strong
staff indeed and a wonderful team for a new branch.
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