Dear Members, I hope this “last of the summer” newsletter finds you safe and well.
We have had no meetings or gatherings since our AGM back in March, but it does look like we can have a lunch together in October. See later in this edition for details with restricted numbers and on a “first come, first served” reply basis. An early response is therefore recommended. Your committee will be there in force to greet you and keep you safe!
We are still planning to hold the December lunch at the Victoria in Sidmouth (Thursday 3rd December), again with restricted numbers (unless Government guidelines change) and we will review this in October in the light of the success or otherwise of the Tiverton lunch. Generous subsidies for members will be made available for both of these planned events. A further newsletter will be issued in late October.
Following on from my “Dominic Cummings” new golf term in the June newsletter (a long shot, but with no penalty), I have come across some more. An “Alastair Campbell” is a shot with “Too much spin on it” — An “Arthur Scargill” is “A good strike with a poor result” —-a “Le Pen” (Jean-Marie variety) is “A shot that drifts too far to the right” and predictably a “Jeremy Corbyn” is “ A shot that drifts too far to the Left”. Finally, a “John-Wayne Bobbitt” (remember his wife?) is “A vicious slice, ending up short”!!!
Congratulations time. To Doug and Kath Drysdale who celebrated on the 19th of August their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Some feat—well done! Also to Valerie Sharp who has transferred in to our Club from Torbay, on her move to Exmouth. Welcome as an active member. Finally, best wishes to Dave Burgess who had a heart operation in August and is said to be recovering well. Let us hope so.
To conclude my comments, a big “thank you” to Gordon Ball who has provided a wonderful nostalgic look at the life of a Junior in the 1960’s in this newsletter. From me, the answers to the fun “chocoholics” quiz from June are at the end of this edition and a new fun quiz on “naming the film” is included. Enjoy.
Garry Adams, Chairman
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Secretary’s Notes
It is now three months since our June newsletter and some things have changed, thank goodness. The good news is that the number of Covid-19 cases has dropped and, for me, is that I have had my hair cut and re-styled (and maybe you too?) but the ‘not so good news’ is that we have had the longest day and nights are drawing in, and will have had the final Bank Holiday Monday before Christmas! But, many of us can enjoy some of the easing–up of restrictions during this ongoing problem with Covid-19 – for example, many shops have re-opened, along with parks and some National Trust gardens and homes etc.
Okay, we now have to wear ‘face-coverings’ when we enter some premises or use public transport etc. but if it helps, it has my full backing and I have now got used to wearing/carrying face masks and hand sanitiser with me, it’s a ‘new normal’ way of life that we have. Crumbs, 2020 will be well remembered for so many reasons and quoted in history books as an extraordinary year when things ‘ground to a virtual halt’ for some months.
As I write this on 25th August we are recovering from Storm Francis with the high winds and heavy rain albeit we didn’t suffer any damage – just the sun umbrella blown over and my outdoor tomato plants are leaning at an awkward angle! As you may know, some cruise ships have been anchored both near Torquay and Weymouth whilst they are unable to cruise on the high seas with passengers. Some friends are currently staying near Corfe Castle in their caravan and on a walk along the coast path on Monday, they were lucky enough to see Cunard’s three ‘Queen’ ships and others in the bay at Weymouth. Here are two of the pictures which Stuart took, sent over to us and who has agreed to share them with you. What an amazing sight.
Keep well and stay safe.
Barbara Johnson, Secretary
PS The picture of ducks featured in the last newsletter was a memory I have of a Sundry account number which had loads of 222222s!
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Wellbeing
You should all know that I am a believer in utilising the professional independent support of the Bank Workers Charity and their services are summarised on our own website. I make no excuses for issuing a reminder though!
Your committee has received the following message from the Bank Workers Charity:
“When it comes to caring for a loved one, we know it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also have a negative impact on other aspects of life including our relationships and finances.
“But by ensuring we’re equipped with the right information and support, it can make a huge difference to the level of care we can provide and can help to reduce the negative impact it has on our wellbeing.
“Here are a few ways BWC can support you in your role as a carer:
Accessing benefits – they can provide information and support to help you access welfare benefits you may be entitled to.
Looking after your mental health – they can offer you support and, in some cases, counselling or other therapies to help you look after your mental wellbeing.
Identifying technology and devices – they’ll help to identify technology that can make life easier for both you and the person you care for. This may include lighting control, voice activated systems or fall detection devices.
Accessing legal support – they can offer you a telephone consultation with legal experts who can advise you on most aspects of British law, such as power of attorney.
Getting financial support –they may be able to provide you with financial support with general living expenses such as disability aids or home adaptations.
“If you’re a carer looking for support, or you want to know more about the practical things you can do to look after your own wellbeing, read BWC’s guide. Or you can call their free and confidential Helpline on 0800 0234 834 – they’re open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday or visit bwcharity.org.uk/about-us/our-support-services”.
Christmas Grant
Frightening that it is, it is fast approaching that time of year, and the details and submission timetable is as follows:
It’s a one-off grant that’s means-tested in line with the Bank Workers Charity’s (BWC) current grants criteria.
Even if a member has been unsuccessful before, it’s worth them applying again as circumstances can change.
Members who received the Christmas grant last year will automatically be sent a letter inviting them to apply again this year. We’ll be sending these out week commencing Monday, 3rd August 2020.
How to apply
To get an application form sent to you, email winter@bwcharity.org.uk or call our free and confidential Helpline on 0800 0234 834, we’re open Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm (except bank holidays). Please get in touch for an application form by Friday, 18th September 2020.
Important dates
Last date to request an application form: Friday,18th September 2020
Deadline for completed applications: Friday, 30th October 2020
Our team are happy to answer any questions and can assist anyone who might need it.
And Finally
The Wellbeing Team plan to meet up in the autumn for our annual get together, and with the events of this year, will have plenty to talk about! If you have any thoughts as to how we may be of any further help, then please let me know.
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator
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Function
Our next lunch is on Thursday, 15th October at the Tiverton Hotel, Blundells Road, Tiverton EX16 4DB at 1pm. This is a venue we have used before where we have always had an excellent lunch. There is plenty of parking and entry to the Hotel is all on the level.
With Covid-19 restrictions as they are at present, numbers are limited to 30. Therefore, bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. If receipt of your booking exceeds the limit you will be telephoned to let you know that your cheque will not be processed and your name(s) will be placed on a waiting list.
Menu/booking form is enclosed (click here) and should be returned to me with your cheque by Wednesday, 30th September. Cheques will be banked on Wednesday, 7th October. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £10.00 or £26.00 per head for non-members. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice.
Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.
Please collect your menu choices form from me and place on your chosen table by 12.40pm. Please do not move them after this time.
Future date for your diary
Thursday, 3rd December 2020 Christmas Lunch, Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth
Lynne Ring, Committee Member
01392 879446
[Please note my email address has an underscore between Lynne and Ring]
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A Day’s work for a Bank Clerk Junior by Gordon Ball
When I joined the Bideford branch of Barclays Bank in September 1952, to replace the Junior who was about to be called up for National Service, it had a staff of 8, and the bank premises were all on the ground floor of a corner building, with the customers’ entrance at the corner. Apart from the Manager, who had his office in the opposite front corner of the premises, the rest of the staff worked in the main room which I guess was about 60 feet square. Next to the Manager’s office was a passage to the staff entrance, then the strong room, where cash and ledgers and customers’ deposit boxes were stored, and then another passage to the toilets and a kettle for making coffee for morning and afternoon refreshments.
The front counter had tills for up to 3 cashiers, and behind that was a second counter with spaces and stools for up to 5 staff. The Chief Cashier was at the front counter, and behind him at the second counter were the Chief Clerk, three ledger clerks, two of whom manned the front tills when there were customers waiting, and the Junior on their right, close to the strong room and the passage to the toilet and kettle. Behind them, facing the back wall was the typist’s desk and typewriter, and in the centre was a solid fuel stove, which was the only heating for the whole room, and keeping it burning well was one of the Junior’s responsibilities. The Junior was also responsible for opening the front doors to customers at 10.00am and closing them again at 3.00pm. Working hours were from 9.00am until the day’s work was finished. The aim was to finish well before 5.00pm, and if we were not busy it might be earlier, but sometimes it was later. At that time the typewriter was the only machine in the office. Adding machines were a thing of the future, so adding quickly and accurately meant we could go home sooner.
Fountain pens were not allowed, as the Bank insisted their ink was not sufficiently permanent, so the junior’s first job each day was to check that the ink wells were full at each work place, for customers and staff, and that each had a clean sheet of blotting paper in the pads, and that the dip pens had good nibs. It was also necessary to check early each day that there were sufficient of the many forms to be sent to Head Office, which had been rubber stamped with the Branch details.
The next job was to collect, from the Post Office, the Head Office Letter bag, which in addition to any correspondence, contained the bundles of cheques drawn against Bideford Accounts and paid in at other Branches and Banks. The Head Office Letter bag was dual purpose, and could be posted in either direction, as there were two labels, one inside and the other outside, so the bag could be turned inside out for posting back. After listing on the special stamped forms the details of amounts due to each Bank, the cheques were sorted into alphabetical customer order, and listed again on Check Ledger Sheets, and the respective totals agreed. The cheques were then passed to the Ledger Clerks who would enter the details on the Ledger sheets and also on the Customer’s bank statements.
The Junior’s next job was to deal with the ‘Local Clearing’, in which cheques paid in by our customers during the previous day and drawn on other banks in Bideford, were exchanged with those banks, who similarly handed over cheques drawn by our customers and paid in by their customers. The totals due to and from each Bank were settled by the equivalent of a cheque, called an Agents Claim Voucher, which would be included in the day’s work and sent to Head Office with other cheques paid in by customers during the day and drawn on other Branches and Banks.
At the cash tills all the customers’ credits and debits were entered by the cashiers on analysis sheets, detailing cash paid out and cash and cheques paid in. Later the Junior would sort the cheques and credit slips into alphabetical order so they could be entered, on strips of ruled paper called Check Ledger Sheets, so that separate totals could be calculated for the various ledgers. There were 4 ledgers for customers, A-D, E-K, L-R and S-Z and a General Ledger in which were entered the totals of the customers’ ledgers and all other miscellaneous accounts, such as Cash and Branch expenses. The Golden Rule was that ‘Every Credit had its Debit’, so that for example, Cash paid in was a credit to the Customer and a debit to Cash Account. At the end of the day the entries in the Ledgers were ‘called back’ by the Ledger Clerks to the Junior, who read from the Check Ledger sheets. The totals from the Check Ledger sheets were then recorded in the General Ledger, and once a week, on Wednesdays, the totals of customers’ balances in each Ledger were written out on large sheets of paper, added up and agreed with the ledger balance as recorded in the General Ledger. At that time Wednesdays were Bideford’s early closing day, which was fortunate as there were usually fewer customers, and the ordinary work would be finished sooner and the work of listing and adding up the ledger balances, could be started earlier.
The Junior’s work was usually confined to the office, but on Thursdays the Junior would accompany a Cashier, either the Manager or a senior Cashier, to operate a sub-branch at Hartland. It was a rather bizarre arrangement as we sat in a lady’s front room, using her table as the counter, where an alarm button had been provided in case of need. There never was a need during my time, but Thursday’s outings provided a welcome change from routine. There were two main customers who came each week, but there were sufficient other customers, apart from occasional holiday visitors, to justify the weekly event. A Similar service was provided on Market days, not only at Hartland but also at Holsworthy where premises were used at a hotel.
After just over 3 years at Bideford, when I had passed part 1 of the exams to become an Associate of the Institute of Bankers, I was offered the option of a transfer to Exeter, which I accepted, but I look back on my time as a Junior Bank Clerk at Bideford, with happy memories.
We are delighted to include this article reminiscing on his early days in the bank. Thank you Gordon and you are quite correct there have been massive changes since then!
Chocoholics Fun Quiz Answers:-
A Star cluster = either GALAXY or MILKY WAY / Voodoo in a Box = BLACK MAGIC / Mother’s Hostelry = MARS BAR / A climbing variety = ROSES / Park Lane or Mayfair = QUALITY STREET / In the mane, you’ll enjoy this one = LION BAR / The bar for Truckers = YORKIE / Mediterranean Islanders = MALTESERS / A passenger carrying vehicle = DOUBLE DECKER / A beauty from Istanbul = TURKISH DELIGHT / Gentle waves are these = RIPPLES / Superman or Batman = HEROES / Up for discussion = TOPIC / Clever Little Things = SMARTIES / Munificence? = BOUNTY / A sadistic Nut = WALNUT WHIP / Al Fresco cuisine = PICNIC / Sounds like a type of Bloomers = SNICKERS / Is this bar nearly a pet-food = KIT KAT / Fiddler on the Roof = MATCHMAKERS
Now try this one. Name the film from the clue.
- Intergalactic struggles……………………….
- Burning conveyances of old………………
- Many Spotted Dogs…………………………..
- Elevated musician?…………………………
- A Garrett ………………………………………….
- A valuable digit ………………………………..
- Dangerous amphibian on Tayside …….
- What you hear from the orchestra …..
- A trip on the P & O Line, perhaps? ……
- Reds dispatch with affection …………….
- Waltzing in the Pigsty ……………………….
- Louis Armstrong or Ella Fitzgerald……..
- Busy day at the Church……………………..
- The Glittering Set………………………………
- At least 14 attended this wedding! …..
- Roundabout ……………………………………..
- Top of the Clock ……………………………….
- Leo Rex …………………………………………….
- A Short Meeting ……………………………….
- Everybody Out! ………………………………..
This is just for fun. Answers next time.