Watt a lot of energy!

Southend people together helped generate more than double the battery charge needed to power the Green Stage at the spectacular Village Green event.

All week leading up to Village Green - a massive free multi disciplinary arts festival in Chalkwell Park - volunteers rushed to take part in this innovative environmental challenge.

In groups of ten, they cycled on static bikes, using their pedal power to charge the vital battery, and a continual stream of keen cyclists continued the efforts throughout the festival day itself.

As a result, this special initiative called 'The Big Charge', kept Village Green's 'Green Stage' fully powered and in constant action for the whole event.

'The Big Charge' was a joint venture between Cycle Southend, the group encouraging people to 'Get back in the saddle' and Metal, the international arts organisation based at Chalkwell Hall, which masterminded the spectacular Village Green.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture, Councillor Derek Jarvis, said: "We were all overwhelmed by the terrific response to this challenge. We aimed to generate 5,000 watts to power the battery, and the final result was more than 11,000 watts.

"Congratulations to all who took part in this, and a special thank you to the individual volunteers and those from V-involved who helped run the Big Charge Sessions.

"A team from East Essex Triathlon Club generated the most watt hours - 737; and Class 6L from Leigh North Street School made the largest school contribution, of 190 watt hours. Meanwhile, Cycle Southend and Metal both deserve a huge bravo for undertaking this."

The Green Stage, powered by the Big Charge, was just one part of the fabulously successfully Village Green event.

Colette Bailey, Managing Director of Metal, said: "More than 20,000 visitors enjoyed this year's event that saw over 600 artists from the local area and further afield perform music, comedy, dance, visual arts, sports, some experimental work that defies category and much more - with plenty of opportunities for the audience to participate.

"Our aim is to create an inspiring and friendly event for all ages, with an eye on the impact the event has on the environment. With the help of the Southend community we certainly achieved that."

Big Charge participants included:

The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Ann Holland; The Cycle Southend Team;

Our Lady of Lourdes School; Avro/Viking Centre, staff and service users; Westleigh Junior School; Bike It Schools - St Mary's and Heycroft; Sabre Hockey Club; Endeavour Adventure Scouts; Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Engineers team; Dan Jarvis and the Council's Health and Safety team; the Council's Transport team; Southend Education Trust;  Cycle Southend Back in the Saddle riders; Park Rangers - Chalkwell; Milton Hall School; St Christopher's School; Westborough School; Leigh North Street School; East Essex Triathlon Club; Southend Wheelers; Essex Yacht Club; Thorpedene School; Sacred Heart School; Virgin Active; South Essex Homes; Gt Wakering Cubs; Chalkwell Hall School; University of Essex; Southend Hospital; Essex Police - Operation Velo; Southend Youth Council; YMCA; Southend Malayalee Association. Among the individuals were: Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Leader Councillor Nigel Holdcroft; Executive Councillor for Culture, Councillor Derek Jarvis; Chief Executive Rob Tinlin ; Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services Simon Leftley ; Head of Culture Nick Harris ; Special Projects Manager, Paul Mathieson; Cycle Southend Programme Manager Neil Hoskins; Managing Director of Metal, Colette Bailey; Comedian Marcus Birdman and actor Roger Griffiths.