With winter fast approaching in the UK, local councils are gearing up for the annual task of keeping the roads moving with salt and grit. And what better way to prepare than adding two gritting lorries to the fleet?
That’s what Doncaster council is doing – with the added twist of asking the public this week to help name the newcomers.
Voting has reached the final stage and Twitter users are choosing between Spready Mercury and Gritsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti-slip Machiney and Basil Salty and David Plowie.
The social media team at Doncaster have obviously been enjoying the process – going so far as to stage a live broadcast of the draw to decide the finals in the traditional format of ping-pong balls with numbers on them.
THE LIVE DRAW: https://t.co/2gdIoQTvCk#DoncasterGrittingWorldCup
— Doncaster Council (@MyDoncaster) November 16, 2017
Given the experience of other authorities asking the public to name vehicles, Doncaster council began by asking for public suggestions, but stating: “Keep ’em clean and be original – we’d prefer not to spend the next few days trawling through responses of Gritty McGritface and Gary Gritter.”
😱*Puts on tin hat* 😱
— Doncaster Council (@MyDoncaster) November 8, 2017
We would like your name suggestions for two of our new gritting vehicles, please.
Keep em clean and be original - we'd prefer not to spend the next few days trawling through responses of Gritty McGritface and Gary Gritter. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/rCH9HneHJe
The suggestions were then shortlisted by the council’s “comedy panel” of civil servants, and put to a public vote.
Names that fell by the wayside included Gritney Houston, Lionel Gritchie, Fern Gritton and Rule Grittania.
The new gritters will join a fleet that includes Brad Grit, Gritney Spears, The Subzero Hero, Mr Plow and Usain Salt.
Public naming competitions via social media have hit new heights since Boaty McBoatface won a poll in 2016 to be the name of a polar research vessel.
The Natural Environment Research Council eventually named their ship RRS Sir David Attenborough, but equipped it with a new type of autonomous underwater vehicle bearing the public’s choice.
This month Sydney announced plans to launch a ferry called Ferry McFerryface after a similar public naming competition.
Voting for the names of Doncaster’s new gritters closes at 4.45pm on Friday.
- Updated at 4.45pm: The winners were Gritsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti-Slip Machiney And David Plowie
