The National Westminster Bank on Market Hill, 'Open Tuesday and Friday from 10.00am to 3.00pm'. The cashier at one time was Mr Mount, nicknamed 'Rocky' Mount. He was joined in the bank by an 'eminence grise' a cadaverous and unsmiling presence with piercing eyes whose job was to provide security. He accompanied the money to and from Braintree at the start and end of business. (With thanks to Doug Wood for that information)
The bank moved to Doubleday Corner in the late 1960's
From Christine Endersby: 'Pretty sure the NatWest was at Doubleday Corner by 1970. We moved here in that year and I'm sure it was there then.'
Rosemary True emailed this; "Mrs Cockshedge was the mother of Eileen Prentice and lived above the chemist shop until her death. Mrs Cockshedge would have found it impossible to get down the stairs at the chemist but loved to sit at the bay window above the bank (also owned by Eileen and Stanley Prentice) watching the village life. It was her money that helped Stanley who went to Stoneham Street School. Eileen was the only child of Mrs Cockshedge I seem to remember."
Date: 1909-1918
Ref: 26/00
The bank moved to Doubleday Corner in the late 1960's
From Christine Endersby: 'Pretty sure the NatWest was at Doubleday Corner by 1970. We moved here in that year and I'm sure it was there then.'
Rosemary True emailed this; "Mrs Cockshedge was the mother of Eileen Prentice and lived above the chemist shop until her death. Mrs Cockshedge would have found it impossible to get down the stairs at the chemist but loved to sit at the bay window above the bank (also owned by Eileen and Stanley Prentice) watching the village life. It was her money that helped Stanley who went to Stoneham Street School. Eileen was the only child of Mrs Cockshedge I seem to remember."
Date: 1909-1918
Ref: 26/00
Also in: Market Hill
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Comments
By Christine Endersby: Pretty sure the NatWest was at Doubleday by 1970. We moved here in that year and sure it was there then By Rosemary True: The money did come and go from Braintree in a brief case carried by a stern gentleman in a suit. I worked at the chemist shop leaving in 1970 after qualifying and moving to London. I cannot remember the bank closing.
The side entrance to the chemist was a passageway leading to a room on the left where Stanley did his eye tests and you could then get into the bank.
The chemist shop site was a warren of rooms with a cellar where the beer among other things were stored.