TWO pupils at Basingstoke secondary schools have triumphed in a competition to name two county council gritters.

The winning vehicle names were Elvis Spreadsley submitted by Daniel Owen, who is in year 10 at Brighton Hill Community School, and Grit of Thrones, an entry by Paige Rhodes, a year 9 student at The Costello School. 

Pupils from both schools were encouraged to take part having visited a STEM careers fair earlier this year which was attended by Hampshire County Council’s highways contractor, Milestone. 

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Many of the vehicles in the county council’s gritter fleet have been given names by local schools such as Spready the Eagle, Yellow Grit Road, Snowbi-wan Kenobi, Spread Sheeran, Gritty Gritty Bang Bang, the Grittist Showman and Gritter Garbo. 

The county council’s executive lead member for universal services, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: “I’d like to thank Daniel and Paige for their brilliant winning name suggestions. This is one way we can engage Hampshire’s young people in the county council’s work, and the services we provide.

Basingstoke Gazette: Daniel with Adam Watts from Milestone, at Brighton Hill Community School, with 'Elvis Spreadsley'Daniel with Adam Watts from Milestone, at Brighton Hill Community School, with 'Elvis Spreadsley' (Image: HCC)

"It is also important for us to explain what careers are on offer, including highway engineering, which may need qualifications in STEM subjects. The students from The Costello School, and Brighton Hill Community School showed great creativity and humour in their gritter name ideas, and the quality was so high that two winners were chosen.

"Both ‘Elvis Spreadsley’ and ‘Grit of Thrones’ are currently set to be deployed on routes in Basingstoke this winter.” 

Brighton Hill and The Costello received a visit from the newly named gritters, giving students an opportunity to see the vehicles up close, with the chance to ask questions about highways in Hampshire. 

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The Costello School’s headteacher Kirsty Protheroe said: “To quote a Stark phrase, winter is coming. This year we will be supported by the ‘Grit of Thrones’ to help secure the area. We were thrilled that Paige's inventive name was chosen and we look forward to seeing 'our' gritter through the winter months as it carries out its vital work.”

Brighton Hill Community School’s deputy headteacher David Watkins added: "Attending the EBP South, 'Get Inspired' event is one of the many fantastic Brighton Hill Community School’s careers programme activities we provide to our wonderfully committed students.

"The range of companies and experiences they are exposed to across the day really builds their cultural capital and further raises aspirations. Daniel had the courage to enter the competition and was thrilled to win with his inspirational choice of name. We're delighted to officially welcome 'Elvis Spreadley' as an honorary member of the indomitable YellowArmy!"