Object number
59/429
Creator
Description
This large milk churn, known locally in Someset as a 'milk trunk', was made by Barnes & Sons of Shepton Mallet, Somerset, circa 1890–1910. It holds 50–60 gallons of milk. It is made of galvanised metal and has two side handles and a lid with a handle. It was used by Somerset farmers who made cheese. The churn would have been loaded onto a two-wheeled milk float and taken out into the field and filled from the pails as the cows were milked. It would then be transported as quickly as possible to the cheese vat, where the milk would be tipped into pails and carried to the vat.
Physical description
milk churn: metal
Label Text
Milk churn. This churn, made between 1890 and 1910, was used on a farm in Somerset to carry around 60 gallons of milk. Once the cows had been milked, pails would be emptied into the churn, which was then transported straight to a cheese vat. Milk leaves the udder at around 38C, an ideal temperature for starting the cheese making process. However, this skips the pasteurisation stage, which is typically used to destroy harmful bacteria in milk. The debate of pasteurized milk against raw milk continues to this day, with many claiming that raw milk cheese has a more distinct flavour and is safe to consume.
Archival history
MERL ‘History Artefacts’ card – ‘Description: A large galvanised metal churn wider at the base which has a strong rim. It narrows towards the neck and widens again to form a lip. There are two handles on the sides. The lid fits into a rim and has a strong handle. // It holds about 60 galls of milk. // Use: For transporting milk in large quantities from the fields to the cheese vats. It was transported on a two wheeled milk float.’, Letter, Barnes & Son (Shepton Mallet) Ltd. to MERL, 18 October 1960 – ‘With reference to your letter of the 12th. Instant with regard to Milk Churn. // This was undoubtedly made by the old firm of Barnes & Sons, who were then a Family of Barnes, and were taken over as a Limited Company in 1943. // This churn was, (as you state) loaded into a two wheeled “float” and taken to the fields. It was filled from the pails as the cows were milked, then taken as near as possible to the Cheese Vat. It was then tipped into 7 gall [gallon] pails, which were carried on the head to the vat and tipped. // According to the local farmers, whom I have contacted, this churn would have been made between 1890–1910 and was in common use in this area at that time. // Hoping this answers you enquiry and assuring you of our best attention at all times.’
Production place
Shepton Mallet
Production date
1890 - 1910
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3206.tif - High resolution image
