


The Mercantile Bank of Lancashire is established
in 1890, and operates for only fourteen years before being amalgamated with the
much larger Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, a future source of many Martins
and Barclays Branches such as Ashton under Lyne. The Mercantile Bank marks an important
stage on the journey to the modern day Martins Bank, as it has possession of
six Branches on the Isle of Man. Martins Bank’s Branch at Ashton under Lyne
is not visited by Martins Bank Magazine, but they do carry a couple of
stories about staff who work there, and these form our feature articles
below. In the first we meet Mildred Livesey, who has earned a special role in
town of Ashton under Lyne. The second takes us to the retirement party for Mr
Henshall, who has managed the branch for around eight of his forty-three
years’ service with Martins Bank…
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In Service: Between 1890 and 1904 and 14 September 2019


Image © Barclays Ref 0030-1065
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Congratulations
to Mildred Livesey, who was chosen to be Centenary Queen of Ashton in September.
The ceremony of the crowning was carried out by the Mayoress in front of the
Town Hall, the proceedings being followed by a pageant, the main feature of
which was the “Black Knight”. After
the pageant she attended a civic function in the Town Hall and a Pageant
Ball. During the following week she made a short appearance at the local
theatre where a cavalcade of local history was enacted. After completing her
school career at Ashton-under-Lyne Grammar School she joined our staff at
Ashton in December 1943.

 After
43 years' service Mr. F. Henshall (Manager, Ashton-under-Lyne), retired at the end of November and many past
and present colleagues gathered at the Lounge Cafe in Ashton to say farewell.
On behalf of the subscribers, Mr. R. Tanner (Manchester District Inspector)
made the presentation of a pair of electric garden shears. The formal part of
the proceedings was opened by Mr. C. B. Fletcher who welcomed the guests and
paid his own tribute to Mr. Henshall. A bouquet was then presented to Mrs.
Henshall, whom everyone was delighted to see, by Miss H. Warren. Mr. Tanner thanked Mr. Henshall on behalf of the General
Management for his long and valued service and expressed the good wishes of
everyone for a very happy retirement. After Mr. Henshall had suitably replied
in a speech embellished with one or two spectacular anecdotes, the company
settled down to the enjoyment of some excellent refreshments. Mr. Henshall began his career with the Lancashire &
Yorkshire Bank in 1919 and served at Manchester City Office, Oldham Street,
Ashton, Harpurhey, All Saints, Levenshulme, Portland Street and on the
Visiting Inspection staff, before receiving his first signing authority at
Stockport in 1947. He was appointed Manager at Broadheath and Timperley in
1952 and Manager at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1956.

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