mr blythe's 45 years' service, the last twelve as Manager of Houghton-le-Spring branch, ended on July 30 with an informal party at the Burn Hotel attended by thirty past and present colleagues including Mr M. A. Charlton (Pro Staff Manager). Presenting Mr Blythe with a cheque from his many friends Mr I. D. Hird, second-in-command, paid tribute to his long and conscientious service and wished him well in retirement. After thanking his guests for their gift, to be used to buy a picnic hamper, and his staff for their support Mr Blythe remarked to his wife, with characteristic dry humour, that he trusted his new employer was impressed with the references given by his Bank colleagues. Mrs Blythe was then handed a bouquet by Miss K. Wrightson. A few days earlier Mr Blythe had lunched with his District General Manager at Grey Street and Mr Weatherill called at the branch on July 30 to express good wishes for the future. Mr Blythe served all his career at North Eastern branches, beginning at Wallsend in 1920, and was appointed Manager at Houghton-le-Spring in 1952. He served with the army in Egypt during the war.
Flushed with success?
Mike Bryant is a Martins Colleague who got in touch following our item on Radio 4’s Making History programme. In these days of health and safety, where companies invest a great deal of money to ensure the care of their staff, his memory of “certain facilities” at our Houghton le Spring branch is priceless…
“Although I do not have a great fund of anecdotes, one that springs to mind relates to Houghton le Spring Branch in 1968, which had only one toilet for 5 men and 5 women, and this on a sort of raised platform at one end of the staff side of the banking hall. There was never a problem with access as you could see any occupiers' feet through the three inch gap under the door without hardly raising your eyes!” Mike Bryant, November 2011
Mr Norman Brown Joined the Bank Here 1911 to 1919	Mr J B Hall Joined the Bank Here 1915		Mr H Jackson On the Staff 1936 to 1942	Mr W F Surtees On the Staff 1936 to 1936
Mr Ben Trewhitt On the staff 1946 to 1947	Mr E Summerbell Joined the Bank Here 1947 to 1948		Mr R Smith Joined the Bank Here 1950 to 1952	Mr E Blythe Manager 1952 to 1965
Mr A Grummett On the Staff 1955 to 1957	Mr J Rundle On the Staff 1960 to 1962		Mr J W Bellerby Manager 1965 onwards
Title:		11-79-40 Houghton le Spring
Type:		Full Branch
Address:		18 Sunderland Street Houghton le Spring County Durham
Hours:		Mon to Fri 1000-1500
		Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:		Houghton-le-Spring 3200
Services:		Nightsafe Installed
Manager:		Mr J W Bellerby Manager
Title:		11-79-40 SHINEY ROW
Type:		Sub to 11-79-40 Houghton le Spring
Address:		7 Westbourne Terrace Shiney Row Houghton le Spring County Durham
Hours:		Mon to Fri 1000-1500
		Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:		Fence Houses 556
Services:		Nightsafe Installed
Manager:		Mr J W Bellerby Manager (Houghton le Spring)
© gut informiert 2007 to date