Milkman honoured after 50 years

Chris Frankland has never had an alarm clock despite his early starts

A milkman has been honoured for 50 years service and had a commemorative bottle made to give to his customers.

Chris Frankland, 68, has delivered milk to around 400 homes in Dinas Powys, near Cardiff, for 52 years.

The father-of-four began as a milk boy in 1949 making 30 calls on his way to and from school on a milk carrier bike.

Mr Frankland, who went full-time in 1957, said the highlight of his work is socialising with his customers who are "like one big happy family."

During his round, he loves nothing more than dropping in for a chat with his loyal customers, some of whom have bought milk from him throughout his career.

"I've seen their families grow up, I've seen their children grow up. We get invited to a lot of weddings, at least one every few years," he said.

The grandfather-of-10 added: "I've enjoyed it I've got to admit, socialising with the customers, we're like one big, happy family.

Mr Frankland has stuck with his electric milk float

"They all think of you and you think a lot of them. They've supported you through all those years and buy a lot of product off you just because it's you."

Even having to start his milk round at 0100 every morning has never bothered him.

"It's something you get used to" he said. "It's automatic. I've never had an alarm clock, I just wake up.

"When I first started, up until the 70s, you weren't allowed on the road to deliver milk until 5am."

The avid Manchester United fan believes that was because delivering milk in the old-fashioned metal crates was so noisy.

Mr Frankland, married to Lyn, has noticed many other changes in the industry in the last half-a-century.

"We've gone from the big ugly bottles of the 1940s and 1950s to the dumpy bottles.

"At one time we used to sell eggs and milk, now we sell everything under the sun from dog food to potatoes."

While many other milkmen have moved on to diesel-powered vehicles, Mr Frankland has stuck with his electric milk float.

As long as I'm fit and healthy and enjoying the job, who knows. But I won't be doing another 50 years Chris Frankland

"I find it much easier. It's quite rare, I don't know there are many left in the country. I think the customers like to see the float. It's an old tradition."

On Tuesday, Mr Frankland's customers, friends and colleagues were invited to see him being presented with £1,000 at a Dairy Crest depot in Cardiff.

The company has also produced a commemorative milk bottle for Mr Frankland to deliver to his customers to thank them for their support.

It features his name and a message of congratulations for 50 years of service.

Mike Sheldon, managing director for Dairy Crest, said: "Chris is an outstanding example of the work that milkmen undertake across the country."

As for when he will retire, Mr Frankland said: "As long as I'm fit and healthy and enjoying the job, who knows. But I won't be doing another 50 years."