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My Co-op milk round (c1978)

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  • In the 1970s I was a feckless, ambitionless wastrel (nothing changed there, then), and from time to time when in need of some readies I would put in a few months as a milkman, working out of the SCWS Glasgow South Creamery in Titwood Road. This was the pre-Thatcher era, when jobs were there for the asking, and if you didn't like the one you were in you could go next door and probably get another.The hours I worked there were bizarre, some days 4am-8am,  others 4am-9pm, and it was a 6-day 48-hour week, but the short days did give me daylight hours at all seasons to wander round with a camera, and much of the 'Glasgow in the 70s' stuff I've put up on this site was a result of this.The doorstep delivery of milk was still just about viable at this time, and indeed there was competition from Cuthbertson's (in Vicarfield St.) and Scottish Farmers  (Helen St. was it?) Oh yes, and Perrat's too, but already the supermarkets were undercutting the milkman by some margin and doorstep sales were dropping fast. Increasing ownership of fridge/freezers and cars contributed too. I worked for a wage plus commission, but not long after I finally left (early 1979) the Co-op introduced a franchise system whereby the roundsman leased his vehicle and bought the milk from them, effectively working for himself, but I don't think this delayed the demise of the business by many years.I'm not sure I enjoyed the work much, though it had its consolations, and I can't imagine why I felt the need to record it.  This material, even more than the other Glasgow stuff, I dismissed as a worthless waste of time, but distance does lend some enchantment, and I can't remember (can you?) when I last saw an electric milk float on the streets of Glasgow, or for that matter a glass milk bottle on a doorstep.In these photos you will see quite a lot, rather too much I fear, of Morrison Electricar UGB 376H,  for which I apologise, and the area I worked at the time, from Craigton via Moss Heights to Cardonald, has changed very little in 30 years so there is next to no historical interest in them. In fact I'm not at all sure it's worth posting this lot, but anyway here goes.

    In the 1970s I was a feckless, ambitionless wastrel (nothing changed there, then), and from time to time when in need of some readies I would put in a few months as a milkman, working out of the SCWS Glasgow South Creamery in Titwood Road. This was the pre-Thatcher era, when jobs were there for the asking, and if you didn't like the one you were in you could go next door and probably get another.The hours I worked there were bizarre, some days 4am-8am, others 4am-9pm, and it was a 6-day 48-hour week, but the short days did give me daylight hours at all seasons to wander round with a camera, and much of the 'Glasgow in the 70s' stuff I've put up on this site was a result of this.The doorstep delivery of milk was still just about viable at this time, and indeed there was competition from Cuthbertson's (in Vicarfield St.) and Scottish Farmers (Helen St. was it?) Oh yes, and Perrat's too, but already the supermarkets were undercutting the milkman by some margin and doorstep sales were dropping fast. Increasing ownership of fridge/freezers and cars contributed too. I worked for a wage plus commission, but not long after I finally left (early 1979) the Co-op introduced a franchise system whereby the roundsman leased his vehicle and bought the milk from them, effectively working for himself, but I don't think this delayed the demise of the business by many years.I'm not sure I enjoyed the work much, though it had its consolations, and I can't imagine why I felt the need to record it. This material, even more than the other Glasgow stuff, I dismissed as a worthless waste of time, but distance does lend some enchantment, and I can't remember (can you?) when I last saw an electric milk float on the streets of Glasgow, or for that matter a glass milk bottle on a doorstep.In these photos you will see quite a lot, rather too much I fear, of Morrison Electricar UGB 376H, for which I apologise, and the area I worked at the time, from Craigton via Moss Heights to Cardonald, has changed very little in 30 years so there is next to no historical interest in them. In fact I'm not at all sure it's worth posting this lot, but anyway here goes.

  • Ready for the off.

    Ready for the off.

  • Not a self-portrait. Can't remember this lad's name, sorry.

    Not a self-portrait. Can't remember this lad's name, sorry.

  • Peter the Checker checking.

    Peter the Checker checking.

  • Barlogan Av.

    Barlogan Av.

  • Minto Crescent and Torbreck St..

    Minto Crescent and Torbreck St..

  • Bunessan St.

    Bunessan St.

  • Corner of Bunessan St. and Torbreck St. I'll call the boy John, though I really can't remember his name, which is a pity as he was a good lad, willing and honest. I hope he found his 'wage' (£2, I think) and tips (a bit more maybe) useful, and didn't feel too exploited.

    Corner of Bunessan St. and Torbreck St. I'll call the boy John, though I really can't remember his name, which is a pity as he was a good lad, willing and honest. I hope he found his 'wage' (£2, I think) and tips (a bit more maybe) useful, and didn't feel too exploited.

  • Morven St, Craigton Primary.

    Morven St, Craigton Primary.

  • Sunart Rd

    Sunart Rd

  • Morar Rd,

    Morar Rd,

  • Morar Rd at Carsaig Dr.

    Morar Rd at Carsaig Dr.

  • Moidart Rd at Moidart Place

    Moidart Rd at Moidart Place

  • Moidart Rd. Looks like a Saturday morning, as John is at the door collecting the milk money. 5p per pint is my recollection.

    Moidart Rd. Looks like a Saturday morning, as John is at the door collecting the milk money. 5p per pint is my recollection.

  • Moidart Cres.

    Moidart Cres.

  • Carsaig Dr. at Jura Court

    Carsaig Dr. at Jura Court

  • Carsaig Dr.

    Carsaig Dr.

  • John collecting at 58 Carsaig Dr.

    John collecting at 58 Carsaig Dr.

  • Carsaig Dr. from Luing Rd.

    Carsaig Dr. from Luing Rd.

  • 162 Carsaig Dr.

    162 Carsaig Dr.

  • Carsaig Dr.

    Carsaig Dr.

  • Carsaig Dr.

    Carsaig Dr.

  • Maryland Dr.

    Maryland Dr.

  • Maryland Dr.

    Maryland Dr.

  • Crosslee St. Must have been my last week, chap in the check jacket was taking over from me.

    Crosslee St. Must have been my last week, chap in the check jacket was taking over from me.

  • Crosslee St.

    Crosslee St.

  • Crosslee St.

    Crosslee St.

  • Crosslee St.

    Crosslee St.

  • Paisley Rd W at Moss Heights

    Paisley Rd W at Moss Heights

  • PRW at Moss Heights

    PRW at Moss Heights

  • Moss Heights

    Moss Heights

  • Moss Heights

    Moss Heights

  • Basturt feckin milkman, hauding that lift again

    Basturt feckin milkman, hauding that lift again

  • Mossview Quadrant

    Mossview Quadrant

  • Mossview Quadrant

    Mossview Quadrant

  • Hillington Park Circus

    Hillington Park Circus

  • Hillington Pk Circus

    Hillington Pk Circus

  • Hillington Pk Circus

    Hillington Pk Circus

  • Hillington Pk Circus from 77  Wedderlea Dr.

    Hillington Pk Circus from 77 Wedderlea Dr.

  • Looking down Midlem Dr.

    Looking down Midlem Dr.

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    Moidart Cres.
    Carsaig Dr. at Jura Court
    Carsaig Dr.