Milkman Keith delivers final bottle of his career
AFTER a lifetime of dedication to the dairy trade, milkman Keith Simcock has decided to hang up his waterproofs and boots.
Keith first delivered milk and helped out on a dairy farm between 1963 and 1968 while still at school.
The milk was farm-bottled by local dairy farmer Mr Massey of Calverhay Farm, Blythe Bridge.
After working in other industries Keith started his own business in 1982.
During his time he served as chairman of the North Staffs branch of the National Dairymen’s Association, became Midland’s Milkman of the Year three times and succeeded Country Lodge Dairy known across the UK dairy industry, even though he stayed local to his roots.
He was also a representative on the national Bottled Milk Buyer council, which met in London every month – but because of his support for the small dairyman against the large dairies, the meetings were arranged on days he could not attend!
Keith, of Blythe Bridge, was also responsible for bringing the ‘dairy bear’ to visit local schools to promote milk drinking with the aid of local city and county councillor Kath Banks, who took the bear to primary schools in the Blythe Bridge and Cheadle areas. Keith said: “After this the trade association offered me the services of Ben the Milkman who appeared on a television advert where he danced around milk bottles and went to see auntie Ethel.
“At that time, Sam Plank of Radio Stoke had a listener called Ethel, who lived in a care home.
“So he arranged an afternoon tea with ‘Auntie’ Ethel at the St Clare Church Hall, Meir Park. This was well attended by local residents.
“After this he arranged annual horse race nights at the local community hall to raise funds for the air ambulance.”
Keith has also served as a member of the local crime prevention panel, but most of all he has enjoyed doing his job, meeting and helping local people.
He ended his career delivering farmbottled fresh milk from Wheat Bros of Cheadle who will take over his delivery round in the Blythe Bridge and Meir Park areas.
Keith said: “I am looking forward to a rest. I can now look at the rain and snow from the comfort of my own home, knowing I haven’t got to go out in it. I have really enjoyed my rounds. It is just the weather that got to me during the last winter. I have received many wonderful gifts and cards from people. I will miss the chatter with the many people I have met.”