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 and community members across the county to submit their ideas for naming the salt spreaders.
The response was overwhelming, with nearly 600 entries received. The winning names ranged from tributes to Norfolk icons—such as Edith Gravel, Grant Salt, Alfie Hew-Grit and BoudICEa—to clever pop culture references including 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 how much it meant to the family to have a gritter named after his dad, who was fondly known as “Kitt the Grit” during his time keeping Norfolk’s roads open through tough winter seasons.
Musical inspiration was also popular. Eight-year-old Clara suggested K-popsicle, while Hope in Year 5 came up with Billie Ice-Lish, and Millie in Year 3 offered Taylor Drift. Children across the county also contributed fun ideas like Grit Astley, The Grit Gatsby and Grit Expectations.
Local pride shone through in names inspired by Norfolk places, including Attlebrrrrr, Norwich Gritty FC, A Fine Gritty, Banham Blizzard and Grit Yarmouth—ready to take to the roads when temperatures drop.
The winning names will be added to the sides of the vehicles in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for them as they begin gritting roads across Norfolk.
A full list of winning entries follows:
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 Grit Gatsby – Ellie, 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 & The Chamber Of Salts – Tudor, Year 6
Ice Warrior – The Hive , Horsford C of E VA Primary School
Kitt The Grit – Andrew
K-Popcicle – 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 & 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
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