A milk round by horse, from 1940

I worked from the Dairy just down from Dyas Road and Hawthorn road, That was the only Co-op dairy in that area next to the drill hall. It was on a slope, with stables at the bottom, all the empty carts were parked on the side of the slope opposite were the offices with a receptionist, and the boss man a Mr Kinsella. Then up on the road level was the loading deck and all the milk was bought out from the cool rooms; which had been bought down the previous afternoon from the main dairy in the city. The other two dairies in the area were Midland counties, down towards the circle, and there was also a small dairy called I think Wades Cattel and Gorden. It might have been on the corner of Old Oscot Hill and Kingstanding road. I started work at the Co-op milk dairy on Kingstanding road in 1940 as a boy. And eighteen months later took over a round as the older men were called up. My round started in Kings road and finished in Cooksey lane. We had horses in those days and had to start early in the morning. Saddle the horse [Tasty] put studs in during the winter, light the candles in lamps, and off we went Hail Rain or Snow. At times when the snow and drifts were heavy we would get as far as possible then use a sleigh to finish the round. During the war we had to take turns sleeping at the dairy in case the place was bombed and we had to get the horses out. We only sold Milk and Cream ie sterilized, pasteurized and T.T Milk. After I left they started selling eggs butter orange juice etc. The Co-op sports day was held every year All the Men Wives and Children went. I think it was held at, what used to be Kynochs ICI sports field. There was all the usual sports. The mile walk. I always came second to Norman Broad Tug of War All types of races, They had a baby contest, When we won the tug of war one year as in the photo We all got a little cake stand.