Browse the videos that interest you below and click on the video thumbnail to open the link. Most open in YouTube, some on other channels, for copyright reasons.
Videos are listed by date of the material that they cover, or publication date. Oldest first. General-interest videos (not Express) are shown like this.
Explore and perhaps follow our own Express Dairy Tales YouTube channel where there are around 50 unique videos about Express Dairy over the years.
This short British Pathé film 'Milk Production Story' (1920-1930, silent) - shows cows being milked through to a baby drinking the milk.
“Don't be a milk snatcher! A stern admonishment not to keep rationed milk from children is the message of this short 1941 War Rationing of Milk information film, in which young Jimmy cheekily peels back the foil from the bottle and sticks his tongue out in anticipation.” (1 minute)
Charming and very dated 1950's Wartime Milk Collection film from the Huntley Film Archives about creamery rationalisation during the Second World War. "Before the war the bulk of the milk produced was carted to roughly a hundred different creameries scattered throughout the country, for butter or cream manufacture. In 1942 there was a great need for increased supplies of liquid milk so the government took over the job of collecting the milk from the farmers. Many of the smaller creameries were closed down and several central depots were opened by the Ministry of Agriculture. Every farmers milk isn't everybody's cup of tea, but it's the inspectors job to see that it is, and they are very particular. Among other things the milk is examined for cleanliness and afterwards a sample is taken to be tested for fat content. If for any reason the milk doesn't come up to the standard set for liquid milk - well it's not thrown away, no its processed or else salvaged or possibly sent back to the farm to be used for feeding the young livestock. Nothing is wasted."
Story of Milk Production and Distribution 1950s
This sponsored film by the Turners Film Unit of Newcastle depicts the complete production and distribution process of Express Dairy milk and other products, documenting the daily supply of fresh dairy products, with fast transport from rural farm to London, a slick operation in the 50s, with bottling, testing and distribution handled at the South Morden plant, and delivery by express “milk train” from its own private sidings on the Wimbledon – Sutton line. Includes footage of early supermarket shop interiors and the experimental Express Dairies College Farm in Finchley, London. The film closes with scenes from a cookery demonstration.
This colour film tells the story of Express Dairy around the time of the Company's Centenary Year. The video includes images of many Company vehicles... milk floats, tankers, rail tanks, milk and egg transport trucks, etc. Locations include Chesterfield, Glasgow, College Farm (Finchley), Staplemead Creamery (Frome), Milborne Creamery (Dorset), South Morden and South Ruislip Processing Dairies, Cricklewood, Seaton Junction (Devon) and Swanley (Kent) Depot.
‘150 Years of Dairying’ was commissioned by the National Dairy Council, probably around 1970. The introduction shows scenes from South Morden Dairy and doorstep delivery from an anonymous dairy float. The history of farms and cow keeping from the early nineteenth century is illustrated in depth, with the emphasis on poor hygiene and milk-borne diseases. Sir George Barham is mentioned as one of the key instigators of better standards from 1865 onwards. Standards for milk pasteurisation were laid down in law in 1922, and older and newer methods are shown, along with milk bottle designs and caps over the years. South Morden dairy pasteurising and bottling plant is shown. The eradication of TB from dairy herds, and refrigeration from farm to dairy is discussed. The film ends with children enjoying safely produced milk. (17 minutes, colour)
This Express Foods film showcases the Company's operations including Express Dairy (liquid milk), Eden Vale, Ski, Express Foods, Express Distribution, Dairy Produce Packers and Express Ireland. The acquisition of Fleur de Lys, Kaysens, Thayer's & Peter's Savoury Products is highlighted. The attainment of BS5750 accreditation at Lockerbie is mentioned, and at the end the widening of Grand Metropolitan's interests when they acquired Pillsbury (Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Hammond Sauces & Burger King) and William Hill betting shops.
Fascinating video commissioned by Express Dairy in 1989 to celebrate 125 years since the Company was founded by George Barham in 1864.
Major events in the Company's history are illustrated, initially with the 'voice' of George Barham explaining his role, starting at Nell Gwynne's shop in the Strand where he grew up. London milk came from unhygienic city cowhouses at that time, and George determined to bring in fresh milk from the countryside, by rail, with his Express Country Milk Company. In 1865, all London cows had to be slaughtered due to an outbreak of rinderpest (cattle plague) and his Company was able to take advantage of a unique supply from outside. George invented and introduced new dairy equipment, and in the 1880s College Farm in Finchley was purchased as a model farm as part of a campaign to improve hygiene standards. Queen Victoria awarded the Royal Warrant to the Company. His son Titus carried on the expansion, which also included cafes, restaurants and a bakery. George Barham was knighted in 1904.
Titus's brother Arthur controlled the Dairy Supply Company and in the 1920s this split from Express and formed rival United Dairies. In the 1920's Titus and his cousin Walter Nell found new milk supplies, acquired wholesaler Marshall's Dairies, built Appleby and Billingshurst creameries. TT milk began to be bottled at College Farm, which led to the building of a brand new dairy at Cricklewood, North London. Further developments included egg packing, yogurt, bulk tankers. In 1937, Titus Barham died and Walter Nell took over as Chairman, seeing Express through the Second World War. After the war ended there was another period of great expansion, by acquisition and development of new dairies and creameries. 32 Premier Supermarkets were opened, and existing shops were converted to self-service, and diversification into hotels, canned fruit & vegetables, cottage cheese, and the purchase of Ski.
In 1969, Express became part of Grand Metropolitan, which opened the door to the opening of North Tawton cheese plant, Lockerbie creamery and many other developments. The video ends with snapshots of its operations in the 1980s, with many images taken at South Morden, Express showpiece bottling and carton plant, including the use of Q-SYS LIMS in the laboratory.
A three-minute train ride through the 125-year history of Express Dairy from 1864 to 1989.
Highlights the Company's operations including Express Dairy-liquid milk, Express Foods, Express Ireland, Eden Vale, Coldstream-distribution, IDV-Bailey's, Ski and Munch Bunch. Investments at Oswestry, Malpas and Minsterley are mentioned, along with advances in effluent treatment.