Dairy farm is cream of the crop!

ABOUT 40 special “ladies” are responsible for an East Yorkshire business bringing home a “best of the best” title from the recent Great Yorkshire Show.

- By DEBORAH HALL

They are the members of a long-established herd of dairy cows - Friesians and Jerseys - that supply The Milk Well, in Willerby, on a daily basis and produce the award-winning whole milk that customers can buy direct from the farm gate. Claiming gold for its raw milk at the huge agricultural show, then being pitted against other category golds to be declared overall liquid milk champion, is an extra feather in the cap for the Collinson family who run The Milk Well from Bellfield Farm.

Moyra and Dave, and their son Phil, set up The Milk Well - a self-serve vending business where customers can buy fresh whole milk and flavoured milkshakes, plus hot drinks from a further machine - just under three years ago. Today, it is a hugely popular feature, attracting regular customers, special schools, local groups and curious newcomers who happen to be passing by.

Phil said: "A few people have asked us what this champion status means for us. It gives us bragging rights, really!

“Before The Milk Well we were milking about 110 cows, not making any money and having to decide what to do. We knew we needed to diversify.