Branch Openings: 1929 to 1932

The Bank recorded each of the official openings of its permanent branches with a series of photographs.
This series normally included views of the branch's exterior and interior; a copy of the commemoration
tablet affixed to an interior wall of the branch; a record of the dignitaries who attended the opening
ceremony; and photographs of the assembled crowd. Selections of photographs from these events are
included in individual branch entries - this page portrays examples of other aspects of opening ceremonies
in the years 1929 to 1932. Further examples are shown for the following years:
1921 to 1925
1927 to 1928
1933 to 1939
1940 to 1976
Little Bromwich -
June 8th 1929:
The Lady Mayoress (Mrs W Byng
Kenrick) arriving to perform the
opening ceremony. She is
accompanied by the Bank's
Chairman, Sir Percival Bower

















Horse Fair -
May 3rd 1930:
most of the early opening ceremonies
attracted large crowds. This record
of the event also illustrates a typical
street view of the 1930s - tram lines
run down the centre of the road, and
a tram is visible in the distance











Billesley -
July 5th 1930:
the crowd assembled for this opening
ceremony have been recorded by the
Bank's photographer enjoying a
warm summer's day















Billesley -
July 5th 1930:
The Lady Mayoress (Mrs M L
Lancaster) performed the opening
ceremony, and is seen here, receiving
a bouquet of flowers














Wheeler Street -
May 9th 1931:
The Lord Mayor (Alderman W W
Saunders) arrives for the branch
opening, accompanied by the Bank's
General Manager (J P Hilton)










Perry Common -
July 4th 1931:
on this occasion, less than two
months after the Wheeler Street
opening, the photographer has
chosen to record the same Lord
Mayor entering his limousine to leave
the event









Sandwell -
July 18th 1931:
an unusual aspect has been utilised
to record the crowd at Sandwell's
opening. The branch occupied a
large corner site, and the
photographer appears to have taken
this view from the a first floor
window (facing Holyhead Road)
above the adjoining Electric Supply
Department










Oldbury -
April 30th 1932:
on this occasion, the approaching
dignitaries arriving for the ceremony,
are in the background, rather than
being in the foreground of the
photograph