Exhibition celebrates history of town's dairy

Ruby Livesey and Dr Leah Hewerdine (L-R) have co-organised the project that displays photographs, memorabilia and stories from Job's Dairy in Didcot

A free exhibition is celebrating the history of a town's dairy.

Didcot Dairy Story has been launched by a volunteer community group at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire.

Throughout August, visitors can see information about the history of the Didcot branch of Job's Dairy, which was once the largest privately-owned dairy in the UK.

Ashley Gurdon of the Roberts Foundation, which represents former employees, said it would appeal to anyone with an interest in "bygone times in and around Didcot".

The Didcot branch of Job's Dairy and was a large dairy processing and bottling plant, with an additional chicken farm

Job's Dairy was founded in 1819 and the Didcot branch was acquired in 1935.

The large dairy processing and bottling plant, with an additional chicken farm, was located west of the old railway line.

It was sold to Express Dairy in 1970, then closed in 1987.

The Roberts Foundation and Express Dairy Tales provided archive materials for the display

Project co-organisers, archaeologist Dr Leah Hewerdine and Ruby Livesey who works at the Story Museum in Oxford, started gathering materials for the exhibition in 2021.

“We made sure that the community is at the heart of it,” Dr Hewerdine said.

They have delivered the project through crowdfunding and grant aid by Didcot Town Council.

The Roberts Foundation and Express Dairy Tales have been providing archive materials, and a miniature ox by Sobell House Hospice, which the project has raised £1,000 for, is also on display.

The project aims to collect stories from former employees for a legacy resource

Ms Livesey’s mother said she had “fond memories of the dairy”.

Didcot resident Caroline Warwick, who has loaned many items for the display, said the dairy had been "a big part" of her family growing up.

"Dad loved his job, his experiences and meeting so many people of which many kept in touch over the years even after leaving," she said.

"Everyone knew someone who worked there and had their own stories to tell."

Ms Gurdon, who is the daughter of former chairman Simon Roberts, described the outcome as "the most fantastic exhibition".

Residents have shared how the dairy was "a big part" of their lives