02
Dec 2024
Ripon knitters and gritters join forces to spread Christmas joy
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The UK's leading manufacturer of gritters has joined forces with Ripon's non-stop knitters to spread a little Christmas joy.
Ripon-headquartered Econ Engineering is ensuring that Goldie the Gritter, built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the business in 2019, is wrapped up warm ahead of her 900-mile educational tour.
The Boroughbridge Road-based company, which was founded in 1969, partnered with Ripon Community Poppy Project to create a giant Christmas jumper and hat for the iconic vehicle to wear, as she embarks on a tour of schools located near Econ’s regional depots, to explain the important role Econ’s gritters play in keeping the roads safe.
The Christmas jumper, thought to be one of the biggest ever created, has been handcrafted over a 12-month period.
It Measures 32ft by 28ft, and took 35 volunteer knitters a combined total of 4,500 hours to complete, using 1,130 balls of wool.
Hazel Barker and Stuart Martin of Ripon Community Poppy Project (foreground) are pictured with Econ Engineering managing director Jonathan Lupton and marketing director Katie Sharman
Formed in 2017 by Hazel Barker and Stuart Martin, the Ripon Community Poppy Project is well known for commemorating remembrance and other national events with their knitted poppies and other projects, and every Monday host a Knit and Natter group which brings together people aged from 30 to 90 from across the community.
Last month it received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of its work in the Ripon community and beyond.
Earlier this year, it produced, in partnership with Ripon's Men's Shed, a life-sized knitted replica Churchill 'bunker buster' tank, which formed the centrepiece of the city's D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration events.
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Econ Engineering has been manufacturing winter and road maintenance vehicles at its factory in Ripon since 1969. It also has depots in Sowerby, Alloa, Cardiff and Halesworth, offering maintenance services to ensure its vehicles are always ready to go.
With an 85% share of the market, Econ prides itself in providing the vehicles and machinery needed to keep the nation’s roads open and streets safe.
Managing director Jonathan Lupton, said:
Staff and pupils from Outwood Academy Primary School were present to see Goldie in her Christmas jumper
Our gritter vehicles and their drivers are the unsung heroes of winter, so it’s been fantastic to celebrate our mission to keep the nation’s roads safe and moving by giving Goldie the Gritter her first jumper and hat to wear ahead of our busy winter season.
At Econ, we have a long history of supporting community projects so were delighted to partner with the talented volunteers at the Ripon Community Poppy Project to spread some extra joy this Christmas.
The idea for the giant jumper came from our marketing director Katie Sharman.
Mr Martin, who is the poppy project's chairman, said:
Since our foundation we have enjoyed fantastic support from Econ on a number of projects and I'm delighted to say that following Goldie's tour, she will be returning to Ripon in time for the Winter Wonderland event at Spa Gardens, which runs from December 13 to 15.
She will be on display at the Ripon Inn.
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