Huge success for Beat the Street

Thousands of adults and children boosted their physical and mental health by joining in with a giant interactive playground that came to the Featherstone area.

Beat the Street was held in Featherstone and nearby Sharlston and Streethouse in May and June and it encouraged people of all ages to embrace the outdoors, stay active, and discover more about their locality by walking, running, or cycling.   

Figures have revealed that 2,856 people played the game, and together they clocked up an impressive 18,207 miles. There was a 17% increase in adults and a 12% increase in children being active. And there was also a 14% decrease in the number of adults who would normally consider themselves inactive.   

Beat the Street was brought to the district as part of Our Year - Wakefield District 2024. The exciting 366-day programme of physical activity, cultural and heritage activity that is taking place across the Wakefield District.   

Groups were encouraged to take part and certificates awarded for different categories, with the winners as follows:  

• Total Points: Purston Infant School   
• Performance Works - Average Points: Streethouse Primary School   
• Community and Workplace Winners: PerformanceWrx and Featherstone Top Cats   

As part of the event a charity donation has been made to Andy's Man Club.   

 For information

The game turned Featherstone into a real-life gaming arena, with special sensors known as Beat Boxes placed on lampposts across the town.    

Local primary schools were equipped with cards, while parents, teachers, and the wider community had free contactless cards.    

People earned points, exciting prizes, and uncovered hidden gems within their area by simply picking up a Beat the Street card and swiping it across designated Beat Boxes scattered throughout the community.   

Beat the Street, by GP Dr. William Bird MBE, aims not only to increase physical activity levels among both adults and children but also to alleviate congestion, enhance air quality, and foster family bonding in green spaces.   

The initiative also seeks to leave a lasting legacy by boosting community health and well-being.   

Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 

Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 is a partnership celebration, led by Wakefield Council. It is a year-long programme of breathtaking spectacles, unique festivals, major events, and community-led activities that celebrate all the Wakefield district has to offer.   

It will be a catalyst for inward investment, a boost to the visitor economy and vitally, an opportunity for people across the district to get involved in the region’s unique culture and experience the positive role creativity plays in their community.   

For further information, follow Our Year on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.