26 February to 7 April
Words & Images: CBC & Alastair
(Wheeley Fun Wheels)
Beat the Street is coming to Chesterfield soon! It's a community-wide game where players tap cards on sensors called Beat Boxes and earn points as they walk, scoot, cycle and run. The further you travel, the more points you earn. You can even win prizes!
“The feedback from players in other towns who have experienced Beat the Street is that people find it quite addictive, are doing great things for their health and also getting out as a family and finding new places close by".
There will be over 100 boxes all over the borough, typically placed on lampposts, and all primary school children will be given a card to use for their school team. Parents can join in too and earn more points for schools.
Anyone can take part by picking up a contactless card from one of the distribution points; Queens Park Sports Centre, Chesterfield Library, Town Hall and Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre. The game encourages people of all ages to leave the car at home, groups can form their own teams and there are prizes for the winning teams who travel the furthest.
When you get your card, you’ll also get a map of box locations. Find the ones on your walk or cycle to work or school.
Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, said, “The feedback from players in other towns who have experienced Beat the Street is that people find it quite addictive, are doing great things for their health and also getting out as a family and finding new places close by".
The game was devised by GP, Dr William Bird MBE, in 2010 to get communities active and to make physical activity accessible to everyone. So far, the game has been played all over the UK including East London, Leicester and Liverpool as well as Norway, New York and beyond. Beat the Street Chesterfield is funded as part of a £3.3 million National Lottery funding grant from Sport England; it is supported by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered by Intelligent Health.
The game starts on 26th February until 7th April. Each week has a different theme where certain boxes will have double points! Look out for Beat the Street events with extra points too.
Chesterfield residents are also encouraged to enter workplaces, community groups and sports groups into the game.
