Pun fun naming new street sweepers

Published: 27 October 2023

The image shows pupils from Bursley Academy and Chesterton Primary School with Cllr David Hutchison, and the newly-named ‘Candy Brush’. — Pictured are pupils from Bursley Academy and Chesterton Primary School with Cllr David Hutchison, and the newly-named ‘Candy Brush’.

Puns aplenty dominated the official launch of four new street sweepers.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council invited children from Bursley Academy’s Eco Council and Chesterton Primary School to name the latest vehicles to take to the streets.

Powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), the new street sweepers’ emissions are 90 per cent lower than diesel-powered ones – and they’re cheaper and easier to run.

The pupils responded with enthusiasm and the latest additions to the fleet are now called ‘Sir Sweepalot’, ‘Candy Brush’, ‘Shaun the Sweep’, and ‘Sweepy McSweeperson’.

David Hutchison, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Sustainable Environment, said:

It was great fun to see the children’s enthusiasm and their understanding of green issues was impressive.

This authority aims to be at net zero carbon by 2030, so moving our vehicles to HVO fuel is one of the many steps we’re taking to achieve that – and of course the new vehicles will help keep our streets clean and tidy."

Vehicles manufacturer Bucher donated goodie bags for the winners.