Beat the Street is back in Harwich!

THE streets of Harwich are being turned into a free interactive game to get the community more active. 

Beat the Street is returning to the town next week – bigger and for longer. 

The community game, which gets residents out and active with friends, family, or colleagues sees participants collect points and win prizes. 

Tuesday saw Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) host a special launch with Mayflower Primary School pupils. 

The event at Dovercourt seafront also saw Hayley Chapman from Active Essex, Harwich mayor Maria Fowler, Cllr Ivan Henderson, Cllr Gina Placey, Wendy Taylor from Home Start, Samantha Richards from TeenTalk, and Tendring District Council’s Mike Carran and John Fox join together to celebrate the return of Beat the Street.  

The game will begin on Wednesday 13th March and will be running for 6 weeks.  

With 40 boxes placed on lampposts around Harwich, residents will have the chance to tap their Beat the Street cards whenever they go around the town to collect points. 

Teams with the most points at the end of the 6 weeks will win a prize, as well as prizes being given out on the spot throughout the game for just taking part. 

Organiser, Becky Dowling, physical activity co-ordinator for CVST, is running the game. 

She said: “Beat the street is a great way to get active in your local community, weather you walk, run or cycle to each box, it allows you to get out with friends, family, and colleagues. 

“The game will run for 6 weeks with 40 boxes – as well as gems to collect when you use the online app including 5 hidden gems scattered around Harwich. Find the beat boxes, tap your cards, and win points to win prizes. 

“The top players will win vouchers and all players will have the chance to win other prizes throughout the game. 

“Starting on March 13th, enjoy your first week of Go Play, where you can just find boxes and earn as many points as you can before the events start. Make sure you have your Beat the Street card ready so you can start tapping straight away!” 

Throughout the game there will be themed weeks including Go Play, Go Wild, Go Explore, Go Travel, Go Celebrate and Go Active. Each week will also have special events for anyone to join in, which will also feature a mobile beat box offering bonus points. 

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

The game is to help get residents to be active in their area, getting points when walking, running, and cycling around to tap the boxes.   

Tracy Lawrie, CVST’s communities manager, said: “Beat the Street was a huge success in Harwich in 2021 so we are over the moon to have it return to the town. 

“It’s such a fun way to get active and gets the whole community involved – and all for free. 

“So, get your cards or download the app and get ready to play.” 

To find out more information about Beat the Street go to our website at Beat the Street – CVS Tendring