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Ripon volunteers wrap 32-foot gritter in giant Christmas jumper

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 14:52

The Ripon Community Poppy Project with Econ's 'Goldie the gritter.'

A Ripon community group has dressed a 32-foot gritter in a hand-knitted Christmas jumper to signal the start of the city's festive celebrations.

Volunteers from the Ripon Community Poppy Project fitted the jumper onto the vehicle - nicknamed Goldie - during a visit to Econ Engineering on Friday (21st November).

The jumper, originally created last year, has been brought out again for the winter season.

It was unveiled in 2024 to mark the 55th anniversary of Econ Engineering, the Ripon-based manufacturer of gritters, de-icers, snow ploughs and other highway maintenance vehicles.

A spokesperson for Ripon Community Poppy Project said:

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

“Ripon Community Poppy Project have been busy again down at Econ working on Goldie the Gritter and putting her Christmas Jumper on just in time for the colder weather and the festive season.”

The Christmas jumper is one of the largest undertakings by the Ripon Community Poppy Project, whose volunteers spent a combined 4,500 hours over 12 months creating it.

The group, formed in 2017, is widely known for commemorating remembrance and national events with knitted displays, including a knitted tank to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The group also recently received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour given to volunteer organisations in the UK.

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