Here’s one man you can order ‘Desi Anday’ from and he’ll know exactly what you want!.
Sixty-nine year-old milkman John James Mather commonly known as ‘Jimmy’ has been serving the community for 50 years.
During that time he has picked up a thing or two about Asian culture including the language. His command of Gujarati has to be heard to be believed and it has helped build a lasting bond with many people.
Jimmy said: “When I began in 1960 there used to be handful of Asian families in the region. “I can still remember the first few people I used to serve. They were good decent folk but obviously their English wasn't good.
"So, I picked it up myself and it made things a whole lot easier.
“Soon enough it became second nature. I would say I learnt from the best - the first wave of immigrants coming to the UK.
“All I did was listen carefully to what they said and then make a mental note in my head. Next time I just repeated the words. “I would say the first few families I served lived in Balaclava Street and Bold Street in Blackburn.”
Jimmy, who’s family owned a farm in Knuzden, began working as a milkman in 1960 and for 15 years would deliver milk in a horse and cart.
He said: “When it got cold the only way to warm up your hands was on the saddle!”
Jimmy became a firm favourite with Asian families because he would go out of his way to supply the products they wanted.
He said: “Back then things like ghee, butter and chapatti flour were really hard to get hold of. “I have to point out I stopped delivering live chickens in 1972!
“Eid and special occasions were wonderful but full of surprises. Once, I turned up to one blokes the day before Eid and he said he wanted 24 crates of milk!
“Over the years I have learnt to love the festivals and I must have been invited to dozens of weddings every year.”
Despite his age Jimmy says he has no plans of retiring. They want me to quit now but I want to carry on because I love my job and the people I serve.”
When asked about how good his Punjabi was, he replied “Tora bota aa jaa tee hai”.
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