Dairy Crest milkman Neil Garner is celebrating today having beaten thousands of entrants to win the much coveted title of Milkman of the Year 2007. The competition is a prestigious event in the industry’s calendar, run by Dairy UK and sponsored by Highland Spring.

Neil, aged 48 was nominated by hundreds of his customers and has fought off stiff competition from fellow finalists, John Hodgkinson and Andy Stow to win the title.

Neil who has worked in the dairy industry for 13 years, was until recently a milkman for Dairy Farmers of Britain, was nominated by his customers and judged by the industry. Neil is now a Dairy Crest milkman, based at their depot at Welwyn Garden City, delivering to his 400 customers.

Milkman Neil delivers thousands of pints of milk a year to customers in Colney Heath, Smallford and Highfield Lane. For the past 13 years, come rain or shine, Neil has risen in the early hours of the morning to load his float with milk and other groceries to be delivered straight to customers’ doors. His devotion to the job, friendly, cheery smile and willingness to go beyond the call of duty by helping out the local community has won the judges approval.

Delighted to win the coveted title ‘Milkman of the Year 2007’ Neil said, “The competition is not just about being the best milkman, but also the milkman with the best customers. I have built up a great rapport with my customers over the years. They are more like my friends and because I start my round so early in the morning, I am the eyes and ears of the community. I am over the moon!”

Runners up:
John Hodgkinson has been a milkman for 28 years and is based at Dairy Farmer’s of Britain Norton depot, near Sheffield. His round takes in the areas of Greenhill, Sheffield. Andy Stow, 52, has been a milkman for 17 years and is based at Dairy Crest’s Scunthorpe depot. Andy, who delivers to 513 customers, delivers to doorsteps in the area of Ashby in Scunthorpe.

Edmund Proffitt, Processing Manager for Dairy UK and the awards organiser says, “These day’s milkmen deliver much more than just the daily pint - from drinks to groceries. They not only supply customers straight to their doorsteps, they are the familiar trustworthy face that many of our customers, especially the housebound rely on for this excellent service. Neil is what the milk industry is all about. His customers are his friends and he always goes that extra mile to keep them happy. He relishes the community spirit and has lots of passion and enthusiasm for the job.”
“Neil is a credit to the industry and his win is well deserved. His customers are his friends and he always goes that extra mile to keep them safe and happy.”

The Milkman of the Year awards showcase the best in the industry and are not only an opportunity for the milk industry to recognise the talent of its workers, but are a chance for the public to be reminded of the heritage of milkman and how they are a unique part of British culture.

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