125 Years of Express Dairy

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.