Clydesdale Bank thanks Bearsden Young Engineers for £5 note launch

17th June 2015

Clydesdale Bank has thanked a group of Bearsden Academy pupils for their help with the testing and launch of their new £5 polymer notes in March.

As a token of their appreciation, Clydesdale Bank presented the Academy’s Young Engineers Club with a framed sheet of uncut notes and a £200 donation.

Under the guidance of former television meteorologist Heather Reid, ambassador for Young Engineers and Science Clubs Scotland, the pupils recreated a number of the rigorous tests in their science lab which the note had undergone before entering circulation. These included a stress test measuring at what point the note tears and a rubbing test which aims to replicate the conditions a note endures in circulation.

The tests confirmed that the new polymer notes are more durable than existing paper currency.

Jamie Martin, head of cash and payments at Clydesdale Bank, said: “I’d like to thank the Young Engineers Club and Bearsden Academy for assisting us with the launch in March.

“The notes feature the Scottish engineer Sir William Arrol whose company was responsible for constructing the Forth Bridge, so we felt it was appropriate to involve the next generation of Scottish engineers in the launch.”

Mr. Brian Jilks, teacher and Young Engineers’ club leader at Bearsden Academy, said: "I would like to thank the Clydesdale Bank for this impressive memento and generous contribution to club funds. The opportunity to be involved in a technological first for Britain was very exciting for Bearsden Academy Young Engineers.

“The pupils really relished the challenge of re-creating some of the tests for the cameras and enjoyed their time in the limelight"

Since launching Britain’s first polymer banknote on 23 March 2015, over £1 million worth of notes have entered circulation.

Clydesdale Bank produced a video with help from the Bearsden Academy Young Engineers club that can be seen here.