Daisy and Rebecca from Idlicote grit roads all over Stratford district
SLIPPERY ice and freezing cold temperatures mean nothing to the Fossett family.
When the driving conditions look like they’re getting treacherous, Daisy and her mum, Rebecca, and dad, Joseph, show true grit in freezing temperatures to keep others safe as the Fossetts are all gritter lorry drivers.
Daisy, 25, and Rebecca, 58, are possibly unique as it’s unlikely other counties will be able to boast a mother and daughter gritting combo.
In the daytime, the family run their business, Joseph’s Amazing Camels based in Idlicote, but come the winter when the temperatures drop, all three of them will be working shifts from 9pm to 3am and beyond if a big chill kicks in.
They’ve been hitting the road in the gritter lorries since 2020.
“I walked into a supermarket and saw an advert for winter maintenance service operators and, as we all have HGV licences for transporting the camels around the country, we applied,” Rebecca told the Herald. “It’s a paid job and we have to be flexible because of the weather as well as covering if a fellow driver isn’t available.
“It’s not a lonely job, it’s actually quite meditative. We all have different roads we grit in Shipston, Stratford, Shenington, Stretton, Edgehill, Campden Hill and Ilmington Hill – all over the place.”
The tricks of the trade include knowing your route like the back of your hand - you must prove that before you’re allowed to head out gritting on your own.
To get the optimum spread of grit you keep to 35mph in your truck, which is right-hand drive, but more grit can be spread across a wider area if you increase the speed. The approach depends on the size of road and other factors, such as whether there are pavements – pedestrians are part of the care package as well.
The amount of grit scattered depends on how cold it is, and you’ve also got know how to put a snow plough on the front of the vehicle should the weather get particularly Arctic.
The lorries are supplied by Warwickshire County Council but the contract to run the fleet is held by Balfour Beatty.
Rebecca and Daisy’s colleagues include farmers, a former funeral director and retirees.
Because of the sub-zero nature of the job, does Rebecca go to work with gritted teeth?
“I think I’m doing a public service. It is quite relaxing and I really enjoy it,” she said.
[Blob} The trio are likely to be busy tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) as temperatures are forecast to be sub-zero. According to the Met Office, the temperature will be higher from Saturday but there is the chance the weather will get wetter with strong winds.
