Partial replacement for oldest milk round

Martin Thompson and his niece Mary recently took over part of the Vale's oldest milk round from the Bond Brothers

Bond Brothers was established in 1901 and served 350 customers across the villages of Whitchurch, Oving, Pitchcott, Dunton, Hoggeston, Hardwick and Weedon.

However they had to hang up their bottles as they could no longer compete with the bigger supermarkets.

Now Martin Thompson, along with his niece Mary, is taking on part of the round in addition to the regular service they provide in Quainton.

Mr Thompson said: “I am very proud of the fact that in 15 years I have never failed to deliver in Quainton.

“I have driven through the snow and done whatever it takes to get the milk there.”

Mr Thompson, 49, from Arncott said: “I used to help a friend of mine load the milk onto his float when he did the Quainton round, but then he stopped because of ill health.

“I enjoy doing it and I’ve got a good name in the village.

“I am delivering from Quainton up to Whitchurch including Oving and Pitchcott.

“I have had about 20 extra calls and I am hopeful of picking up some more business.”

Away from his milk round, Mr Thompson also runs a garage in Milton Common called Martin Thompson Motor Repairs.

Bond Brothers was founded by Fred Bond, the great, great-grandfather of current milkmen Ashley, 60, Andrew, 55 and Guy, 53.

The brothers’ father Patrick introduced his wife Peggy to the family trade when they married in 1951, and his sons helped on the round from an early age.

The Bond family previously delivered milk to 350 homes across the Vale.