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Ripon volunteers knit Christmas jumper for 32-foot gritter

Monday, 2 December 2024 12:00

Knitters from the Ripon Community Poppy Project with 'Goldie' the gritter.

A Ripon community group has knitted a Christmas jumper for a 32-foot gritter as part of the city's festive celebrations.

It’s one of the biggest projects ever taken on by the Ripon Community Poppy Project, who were the team behind the city’s knitted tank to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The group’s volunteers spent a total of 4,500 hours over 12 months to knit the Christmas jumper for the gritter, which is affectionately known as ‘Goldie’.

It’s to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Ripon-based Econ Engineering, the UK's leading manufacturer of gritters, de-icers, snow ploughs and highway maintenance vehicles.

The gritter will be visiting Econ's sites in Stirling in Scotland and Cardiff in Wales.

Stuart Martin, Chairman of the Ripon Community Poppy Project, said:

"I'm absolutely delighted with it - we have to give massive credit to the knitters who have done an outstanding job.

"I just want to thank all of the Ripon community. Without the businesses, the charities that help us, the individuals - we couldn't do what we do."

The Ripon Community Poppy Project also recently received the Kings Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Formed in 2017, they are well known for commemorating remembrance and other national events with their knitted poppies and other projects.

And every Monday, the group hosts a Knit and Natter group which brings together people from across the Ripon community.

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