Magic moment for Keiss pupils as BEAR Scotland gritter rolls into school car park
A Keiss Primary pupil conjured up a brilliant new name for one of BEAR Scotland’s trunk road gritters.
Eight-year-old Sandy Lowe’s entry to the trunk road operator’s competition to name its fleet of winter vehicles was chosen among the winners.
Sandy, who came up with the name Blizzard Wizard, was delighted to see his the bright orange vehicle pay a visit to the school.
Sandy’s classmates were excited to see the sheer size of the eight-wheel, 32-tonne vehicle that BEAR Scotland says plays an essential role in keeping the north-west trunk road network safe during the winter season. They also received their own BEAR Scotland beanie hats.
Eclipsing other vehicles in the teachers’ car park, the orange gritter parked up at the school, where pupils were able to have a look at the impressive piece of machinery and have their photo taken with it.
Some pupils even had the chance to sit in the cab to get a feel for what it would be like to be one of the many gritter drivers employed to help keep the roads safe.
Olivia Bremner, P1-4 teacher at Bower and Keiss Primary cluster, said: “Thank you so much for organising the visit. All of the children, especially Sandy, absolutely loved it and we are very grateful for the beanie hats!”
Blizzard Wizard joins other comically named spreading vehicles in the BEAR Scotland winter fleet, including: For Your Ice Only, Gritallica, Grit and BEAR It and BEAR Chills.
Competition was tough with more than 800 schools invited to suggest names for BEAR Scotland’s new gritters in the region.
Iain Murray, BEAR Scotland managing director, said: “We were very impressed by the creativity and wit shown by the youngsters who entered our gritter naming competition this year – they certainly gave the judging panel a chuckle.
“It has been a pleasure to go out and visit schools and give the children the chance to see these huge vehicles in all their glory.
“Comical names like Mr Snow-it-all, Plougher O’ Scotland and Gritz Crackers are not just a great way for us to engage with the local communities that we serve in the north-west, they also help to raise spirits and humanise the important work that our team delivers around the clock throughout the winter.”
He added: “We’re well prepared as weather conditions change over the coming weeks, but would like to remind members of the public to plan ahead before setting off, leave more time for journeys and, ensure that their vehicles are well maintained for wintery conditions, and stocked with emergency supplies.”
