Mansfield milk&more milkman David Watson is celebrating today having beaten thousands of entrants to win the much coveted title of Milkman of the Year 2011. The competition is a prestigious event in the industry’s calendar, run by Dairy UK and sponsored by Highland Spring.
David was nominated by hundreds of his customers and has fought off stiff competition from his fellow finalists, Kevin Dyer also from milk&more, Alan Redhead, Keith Simcock and Andrew Thorpe.
David, a milk&more franchisee, has worked in the dairy industry for 10 years and was nominated by his customers and judged by the industry. He is based at milk&more’s Mansfield depot and delivers to over 460 customers.
milk&more milkman David delivers thousands of pints of milk a year to customers in and around Mansfield. For the past 10 years, come rain or shine, David has risen in the early hours of the morning to load his float with milk and a huge range of daily essentials, 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 2011’ keen hockey player David, who starts his round at 2am and works through to 8 or 9am 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. The best thing about being a milkman is definitely my customers. I really am over the moon!’
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 busy working families with young children. David 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.’
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.
The media are being invited to a photocall at Dairy Crest’s Mansfield Depot, where he will receive his Milkman of the Year title, a cheque for ’1,250, and his winner’s certificate on 5th October 2011 at 11.30.
