Barry milkman parks up his float after 42 years service! (From Barry And District News)

Barry milkman parks up his float after 42 years service!

8:40am Friday 4th January 2013 in News By Sharon Harris

A BARRY milkman who has his own daily pint delivered to his doorstep by colleagues is set to park up his float after 42 years.

Jones' Dairy milk rounds man Roy Donovan will put back his daily 4.30am alarm wake-up call, for a 5.15am start, following his retirement on Saturday, January 5.

Former St Helen's RC pupil Roy did a bakery and confectionery apprenticeship in Cardiff and worked in Brutons before floating in the dairy direction.

His round takes him around the Castleland and Buttrills areas, where there are around 300 customers awaiting standard dairy items and also bread, potatoes, water, juice, chocolate, cling film, hampers and even garden products.

The 65-year-old granddad-of-three said he would miss the banter he is renowned for with customers and colleagues, but not the bad weather.

Roy, of Rheidol Drive, said: "Supermarkets have done a lot of harm to us price-wise, but people still like the fact there's a milk man about.

"It's a tradition and a good service that people tend to enjoy."

But on one occasion, when Roy was instructed to help out on a round in Dinas Powys, he and his colleagues came a cropper.

A colleague had that day damaged two floats, but managed to drive the third into a snowdrift.

He said: "God love the people of Dinas Powys.

"They came out and dug us out and the two lads went delivering while I stayed with the float.

"The brake shaft had snapped."

Roy was also tempted to break the law in his non-power-steering float which runs to a dizzy speed of 15 to 20mph.

"I had to go down Weston Hill," he said.

"I noticed police had put a speed trap camera there. I was a little bit tempted - I can go about 30mph downhill!"

The semi-skimmed milk drinker, who plans to travel abroad, redecorate, and continue as captain of Sea View Slammers skittles team, added: "I will miss the customers and my work mates, but I won't miss the cold weather and the rain.

"I think it will take some getting used to, but I will force myself!"

85-year-old customer Jean Schmidt, of Jewel Street, said Roy would be missed.

"He's a lovely man, she said.

"He has a very cheery face, and they are few and far between these days.

"No matter what - rain, ice, snow - he's always there."