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Pam's grandfather had a milk delivery business which he ran with her father from 77 Berkeley Road, Earlsdon. Pam shares her fond memories with us here....
The bottled milk was purchased from Gulson Road dairy. They delivered milk throughout Coventry, and I remember my grandfather saying that after the Coventry Blitz many of their customers' houses had been bombed and survivors were wandering about completely dazed and lost. Grandfather said they were still able to get milk, as the the Gulson Road dairy had not taken a direct hit, so farmers were still able to deliver milk there in churns. He said they drove through Coventry the day after the blitz and just handed out bottles of milk without taking any payment.
My earliest recollections were of seeing the bottles being washed in large metal/zinc baths in the dairy adjoining the house at 77 Berkeley Road. This would certainly not be allowed these days as it would not be deemed at all hygienic enough!
When my grandfather became infirm, dad took over the running of the business. By this time dad was married and living in Anchorway Road, Green lane, Coventry. He purchased a second-hand Ford Thames van of which he was very proud. I remember him cleaning it every weekend and when it started to get shabby he spent hours painting it by hand. The colour paint used was called 'mushroom' which was a cross between a cream colour and grey! The van was always immaculate inside and out!
Dad continued to deliver milk around Earlsdon area and Coventry City centre. He delivered to Sainsbury's (in those days a shop in Trinity Street) and to Perks, another grocery shop which doesn't exist now. Boots the Chemist also had their shop in Trinity Street, and I know he delivered milk to them, too. Another shop in the same street was Mills, the Stationers. I believe dad also delivered milk to them.
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