Awards ceremony for top tappers

Beat the Street winners handed certificates, trophies and cash prizes at awards ceremony

SCHOOLCHILDREN, charities, runners, cyclists, and even horse riders were awarded certificates and trophies in a record-breaking community game ceremony.

The top players in Harwich’s free Beat the Street game were invited to an awards ceremony on Friday at the Dovercourt and Harwich Hub where they were also given cash prizes.

Game Co-ordinator, Becky Dowling, physical activity co-ordinator for CVST, said: “The Harwich game this year was a record-breaking success.

“We hit our target of players within hours of the first day – a first for the Beat the Street game in the UK.

“We had more than 4,700 people playing, which was amazing.

“And our top tappers really got competitive racing for first place.

“The awards ceremony was a great way to honour their hard work and dedication and celebrate a brilliant game with amazing community spirit.

“The whole aim of Beat the Street is to get the community more active, and we certainly did that this year!

“It put a smile on my face to see our top scorers given trophies by the Harwich Mayor Maria Fowler, and to give them a cash prize for being so active.”

Beat the Street in Harwich was delivered in partnership with Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST), Intelligent Health, Active Essex, Essex County Council and Tendring District Council.

Players ran, walked, cycled, and scooted between the 40 beat boxes around the town to earn points.

CVST also organised free events for the players to attend, with the chance to gain triple points on their Beat the Street cards, including led rides with Essex Pedal Power, Tai Chi sessions, Seaside Explorers, ParkPlay sessions, box fit sessions, and free entry to historical places in Harwich.

Teams took part competing for top place on the leaderboards for schools, charities, small teams, as well as community and workplace.

The top-scoring school for overall points was Chase Lane Primary, and for average points was St Joseph’s Catholic Primary.

First place in the community and workplace teams leaderboard for overall points was Harwich Runners, and for average points was Girlguiding Harwich.

The small teams winner was Jesus Loves You, comprised of Gary Munro and his son Thomas, and charity team winner was Harwich Homestart.

The individual with the most gems in the game was Ben Cook, and the player with most points – a Beat the Street record-breaking amount of 102,430 points – was Herb Love (Gary Munro).

Gary said: “I started the game a little bit late.

“It started as a bit of fun and it evolved into getting my son Thomas involved to bond and have an adventure, and it just went on – I got consumed by it.

“It was so enriching; my fitness has gone through the roof and my mental wellbeing is a lot better too.

“I wasn’t doing a huge amount – I’ve always like to be active but I was in a bit of a lull and Beat the Street came at the perfect time and it took off.

“I did so much cycling and running it was amazing.”

It is hoped that Beat the Street players will now go on to enjoy the next community game, starting on May 13 called Street Tag.

The free game uses virtual tags dotted around the town you collect using the app.

For more information on Street Tag visit www.streettag.co.uk.