Three West Berkshire villages in moon walk challenge

Mortimer, Pangbourne and Theale are taking part in the Beat the Street challenge, a real-world walking and cycling game designed to increase physical activity, from June 26 until July 22.
People in Reading took a month to chalk up just under 180,000 miles, leaving the three villages to cover a combined total of 58,000 miles to touch down on their lunar target.
The project is funded by the NHS North and West Reading Clinical Commissioning Group to promote healthier lifestyles.
The chairman of the NHS North and West Reading CCG, Dr Rod Smith, said: “Much like other areas of the country, we wanted to do something to combat the growing threat of obesity and diabetes here in the North and West Reading CCG area.
“We decided to fund the Beat the Street initiative as it offers a fun and competitive way of encouraging people to do physical exercise.
“A number of schools and GP surgeries have already registered teams and we’re inviting anyone else who lives or works in the area to get involved with the latest phase.”
To play, residents pick up a Beat the Street card from a local GP practice, library or business.
The card activates when tapped against a Beat Box and tapping another within the hour records the journey.
Tracy Audsley, who lives in Mortimer and is the mother of infant and junior school pupils, said: “I think Beat the Street is a brilliant idea. It brings walking to the forefront in a fun positive way. I love the idea of the challenge to get all ages involved. Come on Mortimer.”
The manager of Greys Cheese, Pangbourne, Angela Brown, said: “I am so excited Beat the Street is coming to Pangbourne.
“My daughter and granddaughter adored playing the game in Reading and wouldn’t stop talking about where they were going next and how they could get more points. Now we can all play in the village and I can’t wait.”