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MURRAY FOOTE: What political leaders could learn from a Downfield bank manager

24 0
09.04.2026

If, like me, you went to primary school some time back in the Middle Ages, you would have been taught to save money.

You were encouraged to bring a few bob – occasionally 50p or £1 if you’d had a birthday – and the teacher would give you a sticker to the value of whatever you handed over to be stuck on a grid beside previous deposits.

The school would take the money to the bank and every now and then you’d go to the local branch yourself to have your personal bank book updated.

For generations of aspiring tycoons, it was a big thrill to see your accrued wealth recorded in black and white right there in front of you.

In the case of Downfield Primary pupils, our bank was the TSB a little further out Strathmartine Road.

The TSB has long gone but the building is still involved with high finance of sorts – as a branch of bookie Willie Hills.

Mr Malcolm was the bank’s manager when I was growing up. He was paid due deference from everyone who invested their precious bawbees with his branch.

Regardless of your age, he was universally called Mr Malcolm.

It was suggested he also had the first name Kenneth, but I refused to believe the........

© The Courier