TakePart Festival gets off to a flying start

More than 10,000 people joined an afternoon of sport, dance, and activity in the sunshine at the launch of the TakePart Festival of Sport and Physical Activity in Preston Park.

The two-week festival is organised by the Sports Development Team at Brighton and Hove City Council, which works with local sports clubs and groups to promote the range of activities that take place across the city with the aim of helping people lead active lifestyles.

Since the launch event on Saturday, thousands of schoolchildren have had the opportunity to take part in athletics competitions and try out activities such as paddle skateboarding, surf lifesaving, and golf.

Out in the community, local clubs, such as Brighton and Hove Hockey Club and Brighton Rockers Roller Derby, have held open days to showcase their activities, while Southdowns Orienteers had more than 100 people take on their challenge maze on Sunday.

Geoffrey Bowden, chair of Brighton and Hove City Council's economic development and culture committee, said: 'It was great to see so many people getting out in the sunshine to enjoy the festival launch on Saturday and I know many more people have been taking advantage of the range of activities on offer throughout the week.

'There are literally hundreds of taster sessions on offer, so if you've always fancied yourself as a roller skater or want to try your hand at bowls then now is most definitely your chance.'

The TakePart Festival runs until Sunday, July 6, with hundreds of different free events and low-cost activities for all ages and abilities.

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For more information, visit: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/takepart.