|
|
|
Unless one is faint-hearted it is always encouraging to be first
in the field. At Holloway Circus,
Birmingham, our new branch is not only the first bank but one of the very few
habitable offices in a landscape reminiscent of a miniature Stalingrad. While modern Birmingham is impressive, the scene where
demolition and reconstruction overlap is disconcerting. 'A multi-storey garage will be going there. |
In Service: Thursday 19
July 1962 until 12 December 1969
Branch Images © Martins Bank
Archive Collections – Estate of J F Willis
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Or there', we were told, 'and so-and-so's have taken that and when this comes down all those will go there'. Mr. J. F. Willis, the Manager, with an air of one who
himself is arranging these things, made it clear that, as steel, concrete and
glass rise from the rubble in front of his branch, he will be there not only
to watch over our interests but to extend them. It occurred to us that this
was hardly the John Willis we remembered in Liverpool and later, in the quiet
of his room in what must surely be one of our most handsome modern offices,
our impression was confirmed. Still a bachelor, he has taken Birmingham to
his heart and his many friends on Merseyside will be glad to know that he
finds his present work more stimulating than anything he has previously
tackled. After entering the bank at Ellesmere Port and serving in the Army he
became secretary to Mr. G. O. Papworth (then Assistant General Manager,
Administration) in 1946. . In this capacity he had the unusual experience of
taking charge of the Magazine and the Bank's advertising for two weeks when
all the staff were away on the first Continental holiday party in 1949.
Subsequently he served in the former Branch Department, then on relief, and
for a period was attached to Chief Overseas branch for special duties,
returning to Liverpool District Office and Inspection Department before attaining
his first signing authority at Old Swan branch in 1953. He went to Midland
District Office as Visiting Inspector in April, 1960, and prior to receiving
his present appointment, took charge of Wolverhampton branch for a few
months.
It is unusual to find a small branch where
the two senior men have worked in double harness a short time before and the
fact that Mr. Willis and Mr. M. V. Weare have been visiting inspectors might
indicate that the standard at Holloway Circus would be beyond criticism. This
casual observation brought forth the prompt reply that this is in fact so
and, just in case anybody should gain the wrong impression, we would add that
they have recently been inspected and their claim can be substantiated. Mr.
Weare, while reflecting the confidence and enthusiasm of his manager, has
plenty of his own. He started his banking in a hard school at Walsall branch
and returned there after National Service, going to Midland District Office
in 1959 and to Holloway Circus when it opened last July. His wife, formerly
Miss J. A. D. Smith, of West Bromwich branch, is now cashiering at
Walsall. Mr. M. K. Davies is a local
boy who entered the Bank in October, 1961. He, with Mr. S. R. Jackson who
came from the north-east to join the staff in October last, completes the male
staff of the branch. Miss P. J. Franklin, who
has been in the Bank since August, 1961, is the only lady at the branch and
is an all-rounder who copes, as required, with the machining, typing and
counter work. The office with its high glass
front and doors is as bright as the people who staff it but, as the business
increases and more people tend to reach the branch just after the doors have
closed, how does one signify 'sorry, closed' or 'just a moment while I come
round the counter' ? You cannot ignore a frantic caller who can see you as
well as you can see him. How, indeed, do the visiting inspectors conceal
their arrival? No doubt Mr. Willis and Mr. Weare have an answer for that.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
M |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
