Use your energy to light up the stage!

If you can pedal a static bike for 30 minutes or even an hour, then why not sign up straight away for next week's novel environmental challenge in Chalkwell Park, called the Big Charge!

Pedalling these bikes will charge a special battery which in turn will power the Green Stage at the forthcoming spectacular Village Green event taking place in the park.

From 8am till 8pm on Monday 20th September through till Friday 24th September, riders are urged to come along with their friends, colleagues and families to use their pedal power for this vital battery. A mammoth 500 cycle hours are needed to complete this Big Charge and volunteers are asked to pedal in groups of ten. There are prizes too in different categories for those who pedal the most!

Village Green is an innovative, hugely popular and free arts festival taking place for the third year running throughout Chalkwell Park on Saturday 25th September. It is masterminded by the international Arts organisation, Metal, which is based at Chalkwell Hall in Chalkwell Park.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture, Councillor Derek Jarvis says: "The Big Charge is a really exciting challenge and we believe it is the first time that Cycle power has been generated, captured and stored to power a stage like this.

"We are delighted that Cycle Southend and Metal are working so successfully together to deliver this initiative, and very strongly urge as many people as possible to sign up and join in! The Green Stage - powered by pedal - will host enthralling and varied acts such as Ballet Black, Hip Hop Shakespeare Co, Kayzar Dance, LODS, Leigh Orpheus Male Choir, and many others. The Big Charge is just one of the terrific elements helping to create a huge buzz about Village Green on Saturday, which is an absolute not-be-missed extravaganza of entertainment.

Book your Big Charge slot NOW via thebigcharge@metalculture.com or call 01702 470700!