The family of a well-known and beloved milkman have paid tribute to him after his death.
David Welton, the former milkman for the Harraby area of Carlisle, died at the age of 69 on Friday, September 13.
He retired a year before from a near-46-year job as a milkman, during which he touched the lives of so many, exuding professionalism, kindness and tenacity.
Starting as a milkboy at 13, he finished school and worked in agriculture from 17, before being asked if he wanted to take the helm and head the milk round he worked on as a youngster at 22.
He wasn’t just a milkman, but an everyman of sorts, as he said he used to take drunk people home, made food for people during the floods of 2005, helped a customer out with their shopping, and helped a customer by taking him to the cemetery regularly to pay respects to his loved one.
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During his life, he spent time as a Cub Scout leader for 25 years, stopping as Covid hit, and took his wife, Anne, to go to line dancing events.
One prominent memory for his family and former milkboys was when he organized a trip to Blackpool as a treat.
A former milkboy wrote to the family after learning of his death, saying he was ‘shocked and upset and shed a tear’, and reminisced of his time spent with David on the milk round.
“I was quickly smiling and laughing about some of the things the lads used to get up to and some of the things Dave used to do if we were running late.
“He used to park his float in the middle of the road and deliver to a house you were supposed to be delivering to in a minute’s time as if to say “will you speed up eh?”.
“It was a badge of honour to get a job in Harraby working for Dave Welton.
“Everyone wanted a job, and Dave was, for most of us, our first boss, probably everyone’s favourite boss.
“He was honestly like a father figure to us all – Dave and his wife Anne used to take us to Blackpool with some of his family and he also used to take us for Christmas dinner some years and share all our tips out.
“He also used to give an extra quid or two if we were going to watch Carlisle United away.
“He was a great man, a man that would do anything for anyone.”
He also helped at his wife’s parents’ farm doing odd jobs like milking and grass cutting when he could.
On other interests, Anne said he didn’t have time.
“The farm was his outside life,” she said, adding that his general working life wasn’t considered work to him, it was his lifestyle.
His final day on the job saw him visit many customers for a cup of tea and a chat and ended with his former milkboys thanking him and wishing him a happy retirement with a specially-made banner.
He had plans to see the rest of the UK after retirement, but sadly was affected by cancer and spent much of his time between his Harraby home and a hospital in Sunderland, and later in hospice care at Eden Valley Hospice for his last three weeks.
Anne and daughter-in-law Hannah commended the hospice for making his finals weeks as comfortable as possible.
“They're not there because it's a job and it's money.
“They take pride in their work, they're there because they care,” Hannah said.
Anne added: “They were so special up there. It was unreal.”
The responses to his death have been huge in number – the Welton family household is full of sympathy cards from former customers, milkboys, family and friends.
A post announcing his death by funeral director Ian Blair resulted in numerous comments sharing love and condolences, with one person describing him as ‘the nicest person you could ever wish to meet’.
“It was so special, how one person can be loved so much,” Hannah said.
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The funeral, which is expected to see a huge turnout, takes place at Blackford Church on September 30 at 12pm – family flowers only - preceded by a final run of his milk route, starting roughly around 11.15am, starting at the top of Edge Hill Road, coming up Peninne Way and towards Central Avenue.
A fundraiser for Eden Valley Hospice has been set up in thanks, and donations will be greatly appreciated by the family.
To access the fundraiser and donate online, click here.
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