TOWARDS the end of last year, we ran a story inspired by post on our We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook in which readers recalled milk being delivered to their homes in bags by Bennetts Dairies.

It prompted Stefania Bennett to get in touch with news that this month sees the first anniversary of the new milk round being run by Bennetts Farms.

The original Bennetts Dairy business closed in 1995, and since then the farm had sold all of its milk to a national dairy, with just a fraction going to the family ice cream business.

In the midst of the Covid crisis and the first lockdown in March 2020 Tristan and Stefania Bennett investigated whether there was local demand for a milk delivery service and the answer was a resounding yes.

Bennetts electric milk floats 1964. Picture: Changing Face Of Worcester

Bennetts electric milk floats 1964. Picture: Changing Face Of Worcester

Over the next two months they researched and installed a pasteurising unit on the farm, bought a new milk float, and satisfied the environmental health requirements for pasteurising and selling milk direct from the farm. 

Deliveries started on May 11 2020, with Stef delivering 780 litres of milk to almost 140 houses around Lower Wick, St John's, Rushwick, Powick, Callow End and Malvern in a vintage milk float.

The Bennetts Dairies milk in a bag promotional picture

The Bennetts Dairies milk in a bag promotional picture

Read more: Remember when milk came in a bag?

One year on, the enterprise is delivering 2,500 litres of milk and locally sourced groceries to 600 homes and local businesses every week, and employs five people.

A second vintage milk float has been purchased which has enabled the delivery rounds to expand out to St Peter's, Kempsey, Hallow and Lower Broadheath.

Stef said: “It has been fabulous to once again get Bennetts’ milk out to our local community.

“Customers often tell me of their fond memories of Bennetts delivering to their homes in past decades, and the welcome we have received has been phenomenal – we are so grateful.

Bennetts electric milk floats. Picture: Changing Face Of Worcester

Bennetts electric milk floats. Picture: Changing Face Of Worcester

“British farming is having a tough time at the moment and to have received such support from the people of Worcester and Malvern, who want to buy from their local dairy farm, is amazing. We can’t wait to welcome people to our new farm café and events venue from June, to really make the most of local produce produced by us and other local farmers.”

Bennetts Farms, which is now run by fifth generation farmer Tristan Bennett, will be opening its new farm café and events venue, Bennetts Willow Barn, in Lower Wick in June.