In the 30 years that he was employed at the Torridge Vale factory (now Unigate)

at Torrington, Mr Fred Piper drove lorries a million miles – more than twice the distance to the moon and back – and never had an accident. During that time, said Mr Allin Stacey, the factory manager, at a ceremony at which safe-driving awards were presented to the firm’s drivers, Mr Piper had carried eight million gallons of milk, mostly on the Hartland run. And to do it he had used only six wagons.

Mr Piper, who has now retired, and Mr William Harris, were both presented by Police Inspector C J Edwards with stars to add to their 20-year safe-driving brooches.

Awards were presented to: W Harris, F Piper, W Hearn, J Sheppard, K Smale, S Parker, A Ayre, K Gibbs, S Short, G Elston, R Parker, E Underhill, J Davies, E Lewis, E Cockwill, T Parkyn, A Braunton, W Clarke, I Goodman, C Johns, T Slade, O Stacey, H Harris, L Harris, A Hutchings, K Jury.

Diplomas were issued to: K Harrild, A Davey, B Couch, A Baker, B Davies, D Hutchings, W Leverton, A Watts, D Courtney, M Davies, R Popham, J Sutton, B Jury, T Larkworthy, R Piper, M Squire and B Weeks.

In the photograph – Mr Allin Stacey, Police Sergt G S Priddle, Police Inspector C J Edwards, Mr Fred Fishlock, Mr E Lewis, Mr Fred Piper, Mr J Davies, Mr John Gerry, Messrs Lewis and Davies

Gazette article dated 24 January 1969