For more than 34 years, residents in the Ennerdale area have had newspapers and milk delivered directly to their doorsteps each day by the same man.
Now, at the age of 71, Bill Currie has decided to retire after building up a round that includes 150 households in Ennerdale Bridge, Kirkland, Lamplugh, Asby, Rowrah and Arlecdon.
His last delivery will take place on Saturday, July 27. Bill has arranged for a national company to handle newspaper deliveries, but unfortunately there will be no-one taking over the milk round.
Bill was born in Scotland but spent his childhood on Birk Moss Farm in Ennerdale and he has always regarded himself as a Cumbrian.
In 1979, he married Christine, a staff nurse at West Cumberland Hospital. At that time, he was employed as a fitter at Beckermet iron ore mine. They have three daughters, Gemma, Anna and Danielle.
When the mine closed, he worked as a motor vehicle technician for his brother-in-law at Edgar’s Rowrah, before finding employment with Shepleys on the Sellafield site.
An opportunity arose to purchase the milk and paper round in 1990 and he hasn’t taken more than a day off since according to his wife, Christine.
“I remember just one occasion when illness prevented him from getting out and about, but our daughters stepped in to help,” she recalls.
“Once or twice a national strike may have prevented customers from receiving their favourite newspaper, but he always tried to provide a suitable alternative whenever that happened.
“Bill did so much more in the community than simply deliver milk and newspapers. He got to know all of his customers on a personal level and was never shy at lending a helping hand whenever required.
“One old lady who was approaching 100 often asked him to help with the Daily Telegraph crossword.
“On most mornings, he would light the fire for her.
“We used to have a chuckle over another customer who rang him up every few days wanting to bring her cigarettes. This lady lived with her daughter who didn’t know that she smoked, apparently.”
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50 years ago, more than 90 per cent of British households were estimated to have their milk delivered directly. When Bill started up his round, this figure had already been significantly reduced, as people moved to buying milk from the supermarket.
Now, the milkman is making deliveries to just 3 per cent of houses. For many residents in the Ennerdale area, Saturday, July 27 will mark the end of an era.
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