Elvis tribute to Torfaen gritting team is a YouTube sensation

11:05am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in Gwent news

ROCK AND ROLLING: Elvis impersonator Darren ‘Graceland’ Jones taking part in the video ROCK AND ROLLING: Elvis impersonator Darren ‘Graceland’ Jones taking part in the video

IT may have been Elvis Presley who made In the Ghetto famous in 1969.

But it is Torfaen council and Darren ‘Graceland’ Jones who have given it a newlease of life in 2013 as In the Depot.

Then, words and music were by the great writer Scott Davis.

Now the words are by (the surely no less great) Torfaen council communications team.

And this anthem to gritting has understandably become a YouTube hit.

By last night 10,000 people had tuned in to hear the dulcet tones of Darren Graceland Jones recreating Elvis’s version only this time depicting a cold and grey Torfaen morn - as opposed to Chicago.

With lyrics such as: “..and the people sigh, coz if there’s one thing that they don’t need is another cold night, where the roads will freeze.”

Or “...people don’t understand we can’t grit every inch of land.” it is perfect.

And it illustrates the sterling work the gritters have done throughout the recent bad weather keeping Torfaen roads as clear of snow as possible.

Local Elvis impersonator Darren”Graceland Jones was only too happy to help out.

And in a whistle stop tour of the county with only one hour available to film they succeeded in bringing a bit of light relief to the tales of wintry weather..

Mr Jones, 41, who impersonates Elvis as a hobby but works at a Cwmbran factory full-time, said: “I’m gobsmacked at the reaction to the video. People have left comments from as far as Australia and America, so it’s gone viral.

Torfaen head of communications Neil Jones said: “ “This video highlights the vital work of our winter maintenance crews and we must thank Darren ‘Graceland’ Jones for giving his time to help get out important messages on gritting.”

To view the video visit southwalesargus.co.uk

Comments(15)

bobjones2011 says...
8:53am Thu 24 Jan 13

Great video which also highlights the challenging work facing the council employees - they have been doing a fantastic job for little thanks lately.
Well done Elvis and the team!

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mondo75 says...
12:41pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Seems like Torfaen council got far too much time on their hands!!
Elvis videos, snowman videos!!
Here's an idea how about using these people sat in front of YouTube, get them out there to start collecting the refuse and recycling that's been stood outside people's doors since last week!
In the depot! Pontypool is more like in the ghetto now.

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Cwmderi says...
2:58pm Thu 24 Jan 13

What a brilliant video.
Darren, you certainly cheered me up on this cold and frosty morn and now the sun has come out.
Thanks for making my day

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koifisher says...
4:43pm Thu 24 Jan 13

as far as i have seen mondo75 the council has done a good job keeping the main roads open . if a ash cart skidded into you car ,you would ask why the hell were they going down your street , i went out of my way once to deliver a parcel, slipped in the womans garden as she didnt clear her path , i was off for a week , and only got stat sick pay , she didnt offer to make up my wages ,just said thanks for the parcel, i wouldnt do it again , as most people only give a crap about themselves,,, so i say well done council for your hard work , and giving alot of people a good laugh,,

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mondo75 says...
5:40pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Didn't ask for your opinion or your sob stories pal.
It's a waste of time, why aren't the council working not piddling about on a computer? Trying to go viral!
The only thing going viral is all the waste on the streets. Ash carts as you put it and postmen are just as bad as each other, lazy and snow shy, a bit of snow and they throw themselves into panic. And I don't own a car so don't be so presumptuous. Now go play with your snowballs and watch out for icy paths!

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koifisher says...
6:12pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Pmsl, what do , or did you do for work mondo, I would take a guess at comedian , but there normally happy people , so I think I'm wrong !!!

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Button123 says...
6:13pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Mondo75 couldn't agree with you more.

Although I have to agree with the rest,Torfaen Council workers have done a great job in some areas !!

Main roads may have been cleared but streets need to be cleared to enable people to get to the main roads !!

As Torfaen quoted, they have been working around the clock.

Why is it still over half the streets in the borough have still not be ploughed or even grit bin been replenished !!!

If Torfaen was concentrating on the job in hand surely how would you find time to make this video ???

TOO MANY FAT CATS SAT ON THERE BUMS IN THE NICE WARM OFFICE, WHILE THERE COLLEAGUES BRAVE THE ELEMENTS

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koifisher says...
6:32pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I did ask a council worker that question button , and he did say a lot of the side streets couldn't be done with a plough because a lot of the streets have parking either side and to narrow , you are right about too many fat cats , but I suppose there is only so much they can do , going thru risca every morning about 8am ,, the roads every day were clear and council workers all cleaning the paths off , so to me they have done a good job ,,

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Button123 says...
6:41pm Thu 24 Jan 13

I agree with you to a point and yes there are some silly people that just park there cars anywhere at the sight of a snowflake.

But around my area majority of the house owners have driveways that where all used and the same for neighbouring streets. Torfaen only plough one of them and left the rest, can't understand the logic myself as you have to go through the other street s first but only ploughed the last one ???

Still think that they should of used that free time to do something worth while like checking on the Elderly/Disabled who struggle with day to day living. After all we do all pay council tax.

Any way rain setting in and probably other people will moan about flooding next lol x

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mondo75 says...
6:54pm Thu 24 Jan 13

koifisher wrote:
Pmsl, what do , or did you do for work mondo, I would take a guess at comedian , but there normally happy people , so I think I'm wrong !!!
I'm a proof reader Koi, I think you'll find it goes

Words,
Not
Words ,
And I do believe we are talking about Torfaen borough council, since when did they start ploughing Risca high street.
I think you are on the wrong comments section and should be cavetching about Bobby Bright and having to pay for parking in your beloved city centre.
And as for comedians being happy?
See Tony Hancock, Harry H Corbett, Jack Dee, Stuart Lee, Ruby Wax for unhappy comedians.
Dew dew dew research can be your friend!
Cheers for the solidarity Button.

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koifisher says...
7:34pm Thu 24 Jan 13

To be honest mondo , I didn't have a clue what a proof reader was , so I googled ,so you have good spelling and grammar, and can concentrate for long periods, so your sat down all day reading then ? While you could pick holes in my spelling and grammar , my point was as far as I have seen on my travels driving , the councils have done a good job , and the video gave a lot of people a good laugh , as for unhappy comedians , I think they only pretend to be miserable on the tv . Ps , I'm not ya pal . But me and the kids did enjoy playing snowballs, after my kids cleaned of a few paths for a few old couples who couldn't do it , nice chatting to you mondo , bye

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whatintheworld says...
1:17pm Fri 25 Jan 13

mondo75 wrote:
Seems like Torfaen council got far too much time on their hands!! Elvis videos, snowman videos!! Here's an idea how about using these people sat in front of YouTube, get them out there to start collecting the refuse and recycling that's been stood outside people's doors since last week! In the depot! Pontypool is more like in the ghetto now.
if this video had come from social services, I might understand your point. but its from the comms team mate, its their job. no ones hounding you to close microsoft word and spellcheck to get out and clear snow...

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gtrplrfla says...
10:18pm Fri 25 Jan 13

As an ex-pat living in Florida, it was a treat to view the humourous and creative manner in which "Elvis" spread the news of your gritting efforts. I was sat on the porch playing guitar when my wife summoned me to the computer.
I hate to add insult to injury with your weather woes, but it was 82 F (27.8 C) under a cloudless sky. We hope the snow melts quickly ! Cheers to all !

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welshmen says...
1:31pm Sun 27 Jan 13

Excellent Video, made a nice day better, good voice and well done to Mr Jones & Scott Davies, and the Torfaen Council's Com's Team, over 10,000 watch so far, no doubt if it makes money it will go to a local charity....

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welshmen says...
1:46pm Sun 27 Jan 13

Excellent Video, made a nice day better, good voice and well done to Mr Jones & Scott Davies, and the Torfaen Council's Com's Team, over 10,000 watch so far, no doubt if it makes money it will go to a local charity....

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