We have several branches situated at the entrance to the Wirral Peninsula. Looked after by ELLESMERE PORT as the Parent Branch, BROMBOROUGH, EASTHAM and Little Sutton are all self accounting sub branches – each has its own Clerk in Charge, and each is open full hours across the six day banking week. All runs smoothly then, until early in 1965, when an unexpected visitor makes too grand an entrance at Little Sutton. Martins Bank Magazine takes up the story…
at 12.15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24th, the last of several lunch-time customers had just left Little Sutton branch, Cheshire, when an 8-wheeled lorry, after being involved in an accident, crashed into the front of the office
Ram-raid, or smash and grab?
The cashiers, Mr S. W. Ash and Mr R. J. Shaw, were showered with bricks and rubble as the lorry hit the counter, pushing it back, but very luckily neither was hurt. Even the driver escaped injury though his mate received hospital treatment. Mr J. B. F. Bardsley (Clerk-in-Charge) was in his room at the time and the picture below (left) gives his view of the office.
(Above) Perhaps a Clerk in Charge should keep a tidier office, and (right) the counter could do with a good polish, too…
This and the photograph of the lorry inside the branch were taken by Mr Walter Cartwright, a customer of the branch, whose firm started repair work within an hour. During rebuilding, banking business was continued at a mobile branch parked across the road.
Mr R W Chisholm Clerk in Charge 1938 to 1943		Mr E E Betenson Clerk in Charge 1943 to 1958					Mr R G Dakin Clerk in Charge 1958 to 1964	Mr J B F Bardsley Clerk in Charge 1964 onwards
Title:			11-54-50 Little Sutton
Type:			Self Accounting sub to 11-68-30 Ellesmere Port
Address:			392 Chester Road Little Sutton Wirral
Hours:			Mon to Fri 1000-1500
			Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:			HOOton 2133
Services:			Nightsafe Installed
Manager:			J B F Bardsley Clerk in Charge
© gut informiert! 2007 to date