48 Years a Milkman

Terry Burnard, roundsman at Plymouth depot

Following 48 years of doorstep delivery Terry Burnard, roundsman at Plymouth depot, retired from his milk round on Friday 19th May 2006. Terry, aged 65, who has worked on the same round for 40 years, has been a Franchisee at the depot since 1990.

The name Burnard will be forever linked with the milk service in Plymouth. During 48 years, Terry has worked with his father, wife, brother, brother in law, nephews and sons – in total the Burnard family has amassed a remarkable 130 years of service to the milk industry. Terry’s son Robert is currently an Operations Controller at the Plymouth depot, and the Burnard dynasty looks set to continue!

On Wednesday 17th May Terry was accompanied on his round by Plymouth Depot Supervisor; Keith Descombe. Keith’s brief was simple; keep Terry busy until 8.30am and then ensure that he arrived at a local shopping centre, where members of the press (Plymouth Sound – local radio, BBC Spot Light TV, The Evening Herald and the Western Morning News) were also ready to catch Terry’s reaction as he came face to face with a large crowd of his customer’s, where they had gathered together with members of Terry’s family and a number of work colleagues. Newspaper and Radio Interviews took place prior to returning to part of Terry’s round where he delivered a few extra pints in front of the BBC television camera (see bottom picture). Terry was interviewed about his 48 years of service and a number of customers spoke very highly of him. The press coverage didn’t stop as Terry was then informed that he was needed early Thursday morning (his day off) for a live studio interview on BBC Radio Devon. Terry was a natural and overcame any shyness that he had when he was on the round at the tender age of 19, especially when he went to collect payment from a house in the Barbican area of Plymouth. At this one particular house he found a lady standing on the door step wearing only a dressing gown, claiming how she didn’t have any money and couldn’t pay her bill. Terry continued to recount how he ran a mile from the door when the ladies dressing gown fell open before his very eyes!!

Terry, who has been a Plymouth Argyle fan for as many years as he has been a milkman, finished his round on the Friday (his final day) and on return to the depot was presented with a Argyle season ticket from all of Terry’s colleagues at the depot, all who were sad to see him go. Plymouth Argyle presented a football shirt with 48 on it.

Paul Lee and other members of the Management team at Plymouth have worked out the following interesting facts; over the last 48 years Terry has delivered in excess of 9 million pints of milk, this equates to over 400 miles of milk bottles when standing them side by side. Terry has walked in respect of his job in excess of 74,880 miles; this is like walking 2,900 marathons or a little over 100 times the length of the UK (Lands End to John O’Groats). Considering that the circumference of the world is 24,892 miles that means that Terry has walked 3 times around the world. Amazing!

Terry and BBC Telivision Camera