Lincolnshire Gritters Receive Blessings in Multi-Faith Ceremony

In a heartwarming show of community support, religious leaders in Lincolnshire have come together to bless the county's gritters. The ceremony, held at the Ancaster depot of the County Council, marked a unique moment of appreciation for the teams responsible for keeping the roads safe during the cold months.

During November's cold snap, the fleet of gritters, consisting of 43 lorries, covered nearly 30,000 miles (48,000 km), spreading more than 2,500 tonnes of salt on the roads to ensure the safety of commuters.

Stuart Cradduck, Rector of St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham, expressed his gratitude: “It’s lovely to be part of this blessing for the gritters in the county. The team works very hard in all sorts of challenging weather to keep road users like me safe, and it's very much appreciated.”

Nina Chapman, Lay Hindu Chaplain at the University of Lincoln, highlighted the broader significance of the gritters’ work. “Gritting the roads where we live is crucial for keeping people safe," she said. "But it’s also important to consider kindness, thoughtfulness, and awareness when driving, to ensure the safety of everyone on the road."

The gritters' fleet includes vehicles named after iconic figures from Lincolnshire, such as "Spread Arrows," "Sir Ice-ac Newton," and "Mar-grit Thatcher."

As temperatures dropped to -7C in November, the gritters worked tirelessly to ensure the roads remained safe for all.

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