Winners announced in Norfolk County Council's Name our Gritters competition

Norfolk's fleet of 55 gritters have been given fresh, individual names thanks to the wit and creativity of local residents. Norfolk County Council invited schoolchildren, BBC Radio Norfolk listeners, and readers of the Eastern Daily Press to submit their ideas for naming the county's salt spreaders.

The response was overwhelming, with nearly 600 entries received. The winners ranged from tributes to Norfolk icons—such as Edith Gravel, Grant Salt, Alfie Hew-Grit, and BoudICEa—to clever pop culture references like Paddington Brrrrrr, Snowbi-Gone Kenobi, Lando Norice, Albert Icestien, and MalefICEnt.

Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said: "We received some absolutely fantastic suggestions for naming our gritters. I'd like to thank everyone who took part—it was incredibly difficult to choose the winners. Our gritter drivers do an excellent job every year keeping our roads safe, and I look forward to seeing the fleet proudly displaying their new names over the coming weeks." 

One particularly heartfelt entry came from Andrew Kitt, who proposed the name Kitt the Grit in honour of his late father, Terry Kitt. Terry served as Assistant County Surveyor at Norfolk County Council and played a key role in winter maintenance for many years. Andrew shared, "It would be a real honour to name a Norfolk gritter after my Dad, who passed away at the end of 2024. 'Kitt the Grit' was the name given to my Dad back in the day for all his work keeping the roads of Norfolk open during winter. Dad retired in 1987 but always looked back fondly at his time working for the Norfolk County Council Highways Team and had many stories to tell about working through some tough winter seasons. My mum, sisters and all of our family are absolutely over the moon to hear that there will be a gritter named 'Kitt the Grit' after him."  

Musical inspiration also featured prominently. Eight-year-old Clara suggested K-popsicle, a nod to her favourite genre, while Hope in Year 5 came up with Billie Ice-Lish, and Millie in Year 3 offered Taylor Drift—a gritter surely ready to live the Life of a Snow Girl. For those who prefer music from older eras, Bruno wrote to the EDP suggesting Grit Astley (Never Gonna Slip You Up).

Local pride was evident in names inspired by Norfolk places, including Attlebrrrrr, Norwich Gritty FC, A Fine Gritty, Banham Blizzard, and Grit Yarmouth—all ready to hit the roads when temperatures drop.

There will also be two gritters named after local media stars, as the competition was opened to Radio Norfolk listeners and EDP readers, people suggested the names of Chris Thawham in honour of the Radio Norfolk Breakfast show host and Norwich City commentator Chris Goreham and EDP readers suggested Dan Gritter, after long time journalist Dan Grimmer.  

The winning names will be put on the side of the vehicles in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for them as they begin gritting roads across Norfolk.  

Here is the full list of gritters and winning entrants.  

A Fine Gritty - Elaine  

Albert Icestein - Albert, Age 7  

Alfie Hew-Grit - Anonymous   

Attlebrrrr - Timothy  

Banham Blizzard - Florence, Age 5  

Big Mean Ice Machine - Zane, Age 5  

Billie Ice-Lish - Hope, Year 5  

Blizzard Of Oz - Mia, Year 3  

Boud-Ice-A - Dennis, Age 8  

Captain Grit - Kye, Age 7  

Chris Thawham - Gail  

Control Salt Delete - Melodie, Age 4  

Dan Gritter - David   

Doris - Jake, Year 5  

Edith Gravel - Lisa, Matt  

Elsa - Darcey, Age 4  

Frostilicity - Felicity, Age 3  

Gracie - Cedar Class Bawdeswell Primary School  

Grant Salt - Nick From Tacolneston  

Grit Astley (Never Gonna Slip You Up) - Bruno, Dre in Aylsham  

The Great Gritsby - Elly, Age 9  

Grit Expectations - Riely, Year 6  

Grit Yarmouth  - Stanely, Age 9  

Gritosaurus - Florence, Age 4  

Gritty Gritty Bang Bang - Frankie, Age 7  

Gus The Gritter - Erin, Age 6  

Harry Gritter and The Chamber Of Salts - Tudor, Year 6  

Ice Warrior - The Hive, Horsford C of E VA Primary School  

Kitt The Grit - Andrew  

K-Popsicle - Clara, Age 8  

Lando Norice - Chloe, Age 7, Nyle Age 8  

Let's Be Gritting You - Rhia, Mandy, Phil  

Luke Grittler - Bill From Gorleston  

Maleficent - Sorina, Age 6  

Margrit- Stanely,Age 8  

Norwich Gritty FC - David In Sprowston  

On The Ball Gritty - Richard, Janine, Sue, Robin, Les, Sorren  

Paddington Brrrrrr - Dougie, Age 5  

Polar Patroller - Joseph, Age 8  

Salt and Gritter - Bonnie  

Saltimus Prime - Mable, Age 4  

Sandy Snowgo - Martha, Age 9  

Sleet Caroline - Ralph, Age 8  

Slippy Slayer - Kye, Age 7  

Snow Stopper - Archie, Age 6  

Snowball 3000 - Alexis, Year 5  

Snowbi-Gone Kenobi - Mia, Age 9  

Sprinkle Sprinkle Little Star - William, Age 11  

Taylor Drift - Millie, Courtney, Lion Class Hethersett VC Primary School  

Thawa Hird - Richard From Norwich  

The Ice Tamer - Lexi, Age 5  

True Grit - Linda, Kim, Steve, Jamie, Bev, Kym, Denise, Jule, Jennifer, Alan, Steve, Teddy, Paul, Howard  

Usain Salt - Lily-May, Year 3  

Wall-Ice And Gromit - William, Year 5  

Walter The Salter - Sydney, Age 9