Milk-boy to milkman

Feb 12 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

FROM milk-boy to milkman.

It’s been a journey which has taken George Hunter across the Atlantic to pursue his dairy passion.

But now the lad, who grew up as a delivery boy for Ayr Dairies, is making big waves as a professional milkman in the USA.

Climbing out of bed at 4am to start his rounds was a way of life for young George, who lived in Ayr until the age of 14.

He said: “I loved getting up early to deliver the milk to people’s houses.

“I did it for a couple of years before my family moved to the States – but I always wanted my own business.

“Now I’m doing it for real on my own. It’s a great job and things are getting off the ground nicely.”

George, 45, delivers his milk from a brightly painted 1981 Chevrolet bread-truck.

“Everybody’s staring at the truck,” he laughed. “It looks like a big dairy cow.”

George believes that home delivery of milk is a dying art, especially in the States, and is now trying to lead a revival in his home state of New Jersey.

But he also has fond memories of his time on the streets of Ayr.

George said: “I still come back to visit the old place and stay with my sister, who’s still in the town.

“It reminds me of the times when I would drop off everyone’s milk and I had a real blast. I suppose it inspired me to be what I am today.

“I really enjoyed growing up in Ayr and went to Braehead Primary and Mainholm Academy.

“We moved to the States when my father finished his service at Prestwick, where he was based with the American military. Now I’m out here continuing where I left off in Ayr.”