Tilehurst - Branch 21
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Tilehurst branch was situated in School Road, Tilehurst |
Tilehurst branch was established in 1943 when Job's bought Butler's Dairy. Mr Butler was a local farmer who had his own dairy herd and when he sold out to Job's he stayed on as branch manager for a time. Bill Gill and Bert Wheeler had both worked for Mr Butler and went on to spend many years at Job's.
Originally Tilehurst was served by Didcot bottling plant until Didcot was sold to Express Dairies in 1970. Milk was then delivered to Tilehurst from Hanworth bottling plant.
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Tilehurst branch prior to it's modernisation in the 1970's. The houses to the right were occupied by Job's staff |
A famous landmark for Tilehurst branch was the tree to the left of the entrance. This was a rare sequoia or Sierra Redwood (Sequoiadendron Giganteum) which is mainly found in the United States and is now classified as a vulnerable species. It was a constant obstacle for drivers of articulated vehicles delivering the milk with many a chunk being taken out of the tree by inexperienced drivers! It also kept branch staff busy during the autumn months when it would shed thousands of needles onto the forecourt. The tree is now protected and forms a permanent reminder of where the branch once stood.
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Tilehurst was a successful branch and through proactive marketing, efficient, friendly service and good use of canvassing built up a large base of loyal customers.
Full page advertisements in local newspapers, such as the one featured in The Reading Standard (left) were a regular means of attracting new clients. (Click to open larger PDF)
In later years franchising was popular at Tilehurst with many roundsmen choosing to purchase and run their own rounds as individual businesses.
Due to space restrictions the branch was one of the last to be converted to forklift operation. The rebuilding of the coldstore at the end of the yard created enough space for forklift operation.
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Up until this time loading and unloading had to be performed manually by hook and ramp by a driver and a driver's mate.
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Bill Gill (right) celebrates his retirement with Bert Wheeler and other friends and colleagues from Tilehurst branch in December 1975 |
In common with many of Job's branches, Tilehurst enjoyed an active sports and social club, with nights out, parties and sports events a regular occurrence.
Hello,
I started working for Job's Dairy in March 1976 at the Shinfield branch. My round covered part of the Basingstoke Road area, which I did for about 6 years. I then transferred to Tilehurst branch covering the City Road and Armour Road area. I was then made a rounds supervisor which I carried on with until Job's was sold to Unigate.
In 1988 my late wife and I moved to Teignmouth where I still live doing various rounds in the Teignmouth, Torquay and Newton Abbot areas.
I enclose an advert from The Reading Standard (above) and wonder how many, if any are still milkmen? I will be retiring in July 2009 after 33 years as a milkman, but without doubt the best years and the happiest were the years I spent at Job's.
Regards
Richard Rampton
Hi,
I started work at Job's Dairy, Tilehurst in May 1982 and left in October 1984.
I thoroughly enjoyed this job especially as you used to get double pay if you worked every 6th week as this was supposed to be your week off to take into account Saturday working.
I still remember driving my Bugden float around Tilehurst carrying crates of Corona on the roof that used to freeze and pop the tops in the winter.
My round included Kentwood Hill, Kentwood Close, Dudley Close, Armour Hill, Rodway Rd, Grassmere Avenue plus other roads I now forget.
Happy days.
Regards
Robin Bates
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