Inter-Village Games At Beverley Leisure Centre Are a Hit

Older people from villages across the East Riding have taken part in a bi-annual sports competition which is designed to combat social isolation and increase fitness.

A total of 20 teams representing villages as far and wide as Hook, Nafferton, and Keyingham have taken part in the Inter-village Games – a potted sports event in which the teams competed in 10 different activities including New Age Kurling, Boccia, and bounce ball.

Regional heats were held in Hornsea, Haltemprice and Goole with the top four teams from each heat going on to compete in the grand final held at East Riding Leisure Beverley.

The overall winning team was the ‘Mac Pac’ from Anlaby, with the ‘Withernsea Whackers’ from Withernsea coming in second place and Hutton Cranswick securing third place.

Councillor Richard Harrap, council portfolio holder for adult and carer services, said: “Competitions like the Inter-Village Games are always hotly contested with the top prizes being highly sought after and greatly prized which is fantastic.

“It just goes to show that it doesn’t matter what your age or ability is the council’s Sport, Play and Arts Service has something for everyone, with the Let’s Get Moving Programme being just one example of the work that is being done to try and boost people’s mental and physical wellbeing in the East Riding.

“These recent games were just as popular as ever and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making it such a success and we look forward to the next Inter-Village Games later this year.”

The games are held twice a year as part of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Let’s Get Moving Programme which aims to encourage the over 50s and disabled adults to take part in informal activities as a way of promoting independence, overcoming social isolation and increase activity levels.

The programme, which is funded by Adult Services, helps groups to become self-sustaining once established and features a wide range of activities such as boccia (a form of bowls), seated aerobics, indoor archery, skittles, and New Age Kurling which is an adapted form of the sport which can be played indoors on any flat surface.