Grasshoppers celebrate

Martins Bank’s 450th Anniversary

Members of the Grasshoppers Pensioners’ Club gathered in London on 7 November to mark the Four Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of Martins Bank. 150 former employees and guests travelled from all over the country to meet at the Royal Overseas League for the celebratory lunch – an ideal opportunity to exchange memories and to renew old friendships.

Guest of honour was Sir Brian Pearse, who started his career with Martins in Liverpool at 17 years old then rose through the ranks to become Finance Director at Barclays following the 1969 merger, on his way to further success in the banking industry. He was warmly welcomed by the event organiser and Club Chairman, Bill Webb, who oversaw proceedings, ably assisted by the committee.

After a chance to chat over drinks in the welcome hall, the guests snaked their way up the stairs for a commemorative photograph. They then sat at tables of 10 and savoured a superb three-course lunch, punctuated by reminiscing and laughter. An eagerly anticipated raffle organised by Mike Sharp included three “star prizes” generously sponsored by the venues for the club’s annual lunches plus consolation prizes of a handcrafted pen. Sir Brian Pearse then provided the guest speech, which was well received by those who remembered “the good old days” of Martins and starting out in banking.

Reflecting on the day, Bill Webb said: “This was a record turn-out for one of our events, and it was the attendees – some of who are well into their 80s and beyond – that made the day special. It was also an honour to welcome Sir Brian Pearse, who is one of our newer members and our first ever knight.” Despite Martins taking down the Grasshopper signs over 40 years ago, the club still attracts a loyal attendance of former employees to its lunches, which are held three times a year.

(From Connection – Winter 2013)

The Barclays merger had only just been realised, and 1970 began with the song “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell. “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone”- using our old friend hindsight, we can see how poignant these lyrics turned out to be for Martins Bank. Just six years after the triumphal celebrations of the Bank’s 400th birthday dinner, the name of Martins was consigned to the history books. Fast forward to 2013, and former Martins Manager Sir Brian Pearse addressed another special lunch, held this time to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the founding of a banking business by Sir Thomas Gresham on the site of 68 Lombard Street.

With a record attendance for a Grasshopper Pensioners’ Club event, the lunch, held on 7 November 2013 showed very clearly the affection with which Martins was still held nearly forty-five years after the merger. Our thanks to Barclays Connection Magazine Editor Annmarie McTigue, who is pictured here at the lunch next to Grasshoppers’ very own Bill Webb. Annmarie has since left Connection for a new life on the other side of the World, and we wish her all the best.