Nostalgia For An Old Fashioned Milk Bottle ..

[Elina]

Going out very early to work this morning, I saw a milk float. Seeing it made me wonder just how much milk is still doorstep 'delivered' .. in comparison to how much used to be delivered years ago. I came up with this link. According to the link .. in the 70s .. 99% of milk was doorstep delivered & now it's less than 5%. Not at all surprised. I think it a kind of quaint idea these days. I'm sure the older generation are very grateful milk is still delivered. Interesting link! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29327881

[hc4361]

A milkman delivers in my street, but not to me. Look what he charges!

http://www.milkandmore.co.uk/Shop/Milk/standard/semi-skimmed

[Old_Geezer]

Yes.

[Elina]

That's what I thought when I saw the milk float this morning OG.

[Elina]

hc .. I'm amazed at what they provide!

[Elina]

I thought it still consisted of milk/ juice/ potatoes/ eggs ect!!

[hc4361]

It's no good for people who are out work during the day, though. Don't fancy coming home to sour milk and melted butter.

[hc4361]

When I did have a milkman many years ago he used to call for his money on Friday evenings, just after tea. He was a very clever salesman because he used to bring with him large blocks of chocolate, biscuits, bags of sweets and cakes to sell, presumably 'off the books'. Just what everyone fancies as a treat after a hard day at work.

[Elina]

hc ... it probably wouldn't still be there sadly!

[Elina]

hc, he was clever!

[Elina]

hc, I've just googled our local milk delivery and they even sell the lottery!!

[Elina]

Must be lottery cards?

[hc4361]

Good grief!
That is enterprising

[Elina]

LOL .. I truly am surprised at your link that dairies are delivering all these different items!

[Quizmonster]

Perhaps they existed only in the north of Scotland, but there the tops on small milk-bottles were made of cardboard, usually with a circular press-in part for inserting a straw. Family-size bottles were similar but without the straw-bit. Boys used to collect these larger ones and play pitching games with them, the winner being the one nearest some marking-peg. Happy days!

[Elina]

Hi Quiz, in my opening link, it mentions cardboard tops being used in the 1920s/30s .. so not just limited to Scotland.

[Quizmonster]

Well, Elina, it has to be said that I was born in the 1930s, but my milk-bottle-top games were definitely in the 1940s and maybe even into the 1950s. Perhaps the cardboard ones just lasted longer in Scotland.
Apart from the games aspect, every dairy had its own top designs, so lots of lads just collected them as a hobby, as they were so varied and colourful...a bit like the much later football-cards and other such stickers.

[LyndaB]

My mum still has her milk delivered every day

[LyndaB]

We used to make a ...... not sure what you'd call it, but it consisted of a marble with an aluminium milk bottle top moulded over it. Hours of fun rolling them all over the place!!

[Elina]

Hi Quiz, I can imagine young lads collecting them! I found this link .. & as you said they were very colourful and varied .. http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vintage+card+milk+bottle+tops&hl=en-GB&biw=480&;bih=300&tbm=isch&oq=vintage+card+milk+bottle+tops&gs_l=img.12...20393.24451.0.26282.10.10.0.0.0.0.125.772.8j2.10.0....0...1ac.1.34.img..10.0.0.vBD23W1so3o

[Elina]

Hi Lynda, yes I'm sure there's a few still have delivery, especially with the variety of produce too.