Chilly Connolly: South Lanarkshire school pupils name new fleet of council gritters

Sir Billy Connolly is among the famous names to be given a wintry alter ego as school pupils in South Lanarkshire have named a new fleet of gritters.

Children from P4 to P7 in primary schools across the local authority sent in names in their hundreds for the council’s competition to name the eight new gritters added to its fleet.

And now the winning names can be revealed as the new gritters take to our roads.

Councillor Robert Brown, Chair of the Enterprise Resources Committee, said: “Twice before, in years gone by, our young people have come to the help of gritters who have needed names, and Lewis Caploughdi, Salt Disnae, Oh Plougher of Scotland and Spread Mercury – among many other inspired names – were hard acts to follow.

“However, our current pupils rose to the challenge magnificently and the quality and variety of the gritter-names we received were incredible – I have to thank all of the children who entered for their inventiveness and originality.

“The eight names that have been chosen are absolutely wonderful. I am looking forward to spotting them around South Lanarkshire over the coming months and I hope they put a big smile on the face of everyone who sees them as they pass by.”

Celebrities in music, sport and comedy are reflected through three of the new gritters, with megastar Taylor Drift (from Orlagh Cosh, St Charles’ PS and now at Trinity HS; and Zoey Daly, Loch PS, but now at Cathkin HS). Darts icon Luke Grittler (Ben McNaughtan, Jackton PS, and Zac Dunn, Robert Owen Memorial PS and now at Lanark Grammar) and legendary comedian Chilly Connolly (Lily Maxwell, St Charles’ PS and now at Trinity HS; Fouzi Abu Esbaa, Loch PS and now at Cathkin HS; and Mirren Hill, St Patrick’s PS).

Characters from books and films have also made an appearance, with Harry Potter’s big magical pal Hagrit (thanks to Hector Quinn Boyle, St Athanasius’ PS; and Millie Mitchell, Forth PS and now at Carluke HS), from the Star Wars universe, Snowmandalorian (Blair Campbell Yeudall, Crosshouse PS) and everyone’s favourite marmalade-sandwich-munching Peruvian, Paddington Brrr (Eilidh Coubrough, Robert Owen Memorial PS).

Completing the line-up of newly-named gritters are the cartoon-character inspired Hello Gritty (suggested by Millie Roberts, Auchinraith PS) and the mouthwatering Salt and Chilly (Aleece Reid, also Auchinraith PS but now at Calderside Academy).

Colin Park, the council’s head of roads, transportation and fleet services, said: “As everyone knows, our gritters play a vital part throughout the winter months in keeping roads across South Lanarkshire safe and usable for drivers, but they also work hard when the weather isn’t icy, helping with other duties such as spreading asphalt or transporting sand.

“However, wherever the gritters are, and whatever they are doing, the children who have named them – and everyone else who wishes to do so – will be able to follow their progress from the start of October through our online Gritter Tracker, and even watch out for when they are close by.

“Very well done to everyone who entered the competition and special congratulations to our winners who came up with such brilliant names.”