World’s oldest milkman ..delivering pintas at 90

Derek Arch has no plans to retire

THE world’s oldest milkman today celebrates his 90th birthday, and plans to keep working till he dies.

Derek Arch has been delivering milk for 76 years, and intends to get up at first light on his birthday for his round.

He started the job as a schoolboy aged 14 on a bicycle, back in 1943.

Despite cutting back his workload in recent years, Derek still starts at 5.30am every day. Now, he delivers his milk alongside his son, Stuart, on a 1950s float.

His wife, Betty, 88, helps by doing the accounts.

Derek, from Coventry, is certain he is the UK’s oldest milkman, and thinks he may even hold the world title. The Army veteran said: “Some of my customers I’ve served for 60 years, and they’re no longer just customers – they’re friends.

“People say there are millions of lonely people in society, but communities have broken down. We’ve saved about four elderly people’s lives – they’ve been collapsed and I’ve found them when I’ve gone round to deliver the milk.

“I have no plans to retire. I won’t stop until I drop down dead on someone’s doorstep. Anyway, my wife likes it because it keeps me out of the house.”

The family have been in the milk business for four generations, with Derek’s grandfather founding D Arch and Son in 1873.

Stuart, 59, said: “I am proud of Dad. I hope I’m still delivering pints when I’m his age.

“He won’t stop – he’ll keep going until he can’t anymore. It keeps him fit and active, and keeps his mind occupied.

“He is well known in the area and his customers love to see him.

He added: “We’ve seen a around a 5% increase in business recently with people turning to glass bottles to help the environment. Business is booming.”

I won’t stop till I drop down dead while I’m out doing my round DEREK ARCH ON HOW HE WON’T SLOW DOWN AT