Centenary celebration at Ulster Bank in Castlewellan

Centenary celebration at Ulster Bank in Castlewellan

3 April 2019

ULSTER Bank customers in Castlewellan enjoyed a trip back in time to 1919 to mark the bank’s 100 year anniversary on Friday. 

Staff donned bonnets and  bowlers reminiscent of the era when the Ulster Bank first opened its doors in Upper Square and the timeless singing voice of Irish tenor Josef Locke filled the room as people gathered to share memories over a cup of tea.

Among them was 85 year-old Billy Shilliday, whose father, John Shilliday, began the hugely popular timber and hardware merchants in Main Street in 1926.

Billy and his wife, Beth, were the guests of honour at the celebrations and were invited to cut the centenary cake to mark the occasion. 

Describing the phenomenal changes in banking over the last century, Billy said: “Whenever I was born my grandparents put money in an account for me. That was 85 years ago. 

“As a trader, I’ve seen many changes in the way banking is conducted. Today I can’t get in contact with anyone over the phone, unless I come in myself. 

“I still remember the old telephone number we used for years. We were able to talk directly to clerks then. Now, if you phone you have to go through someone in Belfast and you could hold for a brave while before you get to talk to the right person. That’s what it is like for someone like me who isn’t familiar to online banking.”

Mrs Pat Smyth retired from the Ulster Bank in 1997 and worked in the Upper Square branch from 1987 to 1991.  She says her job role centred mainly on face to face contact with customers. 

“Customers liked the familiarity and friendship that we established over the years. We would have known each other well, like Billy for instance,” she explained. 

“We were beginning to use computers to process the counter administrative side of things. I was here when all our hand written ledgers were transferred over on to computers. A ledger is a big book which contains all transactions and lodgements a customer would make. 

“We also began to type letters using a keyboard in stead of a typewriter and it did make our lives a lot easier.” 

Mrs Smyth drove from Gilford each day, no matter the weather, before she was transferred to Downpatrick.

She said: “I spent 35 years with Ulster Bank altogether and I must say they were happy times for me. I enjoyed my work immensely and I found the people of Castlewellan very friendly. 

“In those days we had more conversation with customers and had a good laugh with them which to me, was very important. 

“Part of my work involved visiting primary school children with Henry Hippo who was very popular with children. I’m sure many adults today still remember him.” 

Downpatrick woman Pamela Young has been branch manager in Castlewellan for the last two and a half years. She says the branch is very busy and described it as a “lovely” place to work. 

She added: “We have a lot of our customers visiting the branch on a regular basis. We still get a lot of customers coming through the door on a set day each month. A lot of farmers still prefer face-to-face banking, as do a lot of traders, and we still have that cash element. 

“We have a good balance of both traditional and online banking, but the digital element is being driven by customers who want things to be more convenient. 

“On Sunday it will be 100 years since we first opened the doors, which is quite an achievement in this day and age, especially to be on the same spot as we were back then.” 

“I know I’m only here a short period but I still feel part of it all and I’m delighted to see so many of our loyal customers here today and staff members who served here for a bit of a catch up and enjoy the celebration.”