Milkman dies at farm

A former coalman, who became a well- known milkman in the Springhead area, has died aged 79.

Harold Ripley was just beginning his 80th year living at Blackleach Farm, Springhead, when he died suddenly on Sunday.

The farm his been in his family for more than 100 years, and he has two sons and two grandchildren continuing the business, which has been in the family for five generations.

He raised beef cattle, but from his boyhood he also had pigs and hens, said his widow, Barbara: “When he was a schoolboy he won a calf in a raffle at a Young Farmers’ do, and his uncle gave him another calf for company.

“He used to milk cows when he was younger, but we buy the milk in now.

“His father and grandfather were also coal merchants, and he was a coalman, but when smokeless zones came in, his uncle retired from his milk round so Harold took over.”

Both his sons, John and Andrew, have milk rounds, and student grand-daughter Hannah (17), also helps out.

Mrs Ripley added: “So many people knew him, we have already had 35 cards through the door.”

The funeral will be take place on Wednesday, at St John’s Church, Hey, where the couple were married 51 years ago.