The weekend was split into hour long sessions each with cheap and easy to do physical activity sessions as a focus. Cheerleading using homemade pom poms made from recycled coloured carrier bags was by far the most popular session with hoola hoops coming a close second. Several children and adults were later seen around the show, wiggling their hips with hoop in tow. Experts on Bollywood, Latin and disco dancing were also on hand throughout the two days.  

Other exercise incentives included Frisbees, beach balls and skipping ropes all to encourage Rotherham families to get more active. Parents were also given information sheets to encourage participation in traditional children’s games such as Hopscotch, Please Mr Crocodile and Sticky Apple Tag – which proved to be a trip down memory lane for many mums and dads. 

Members of the public were asked to sign up to the ‘Move It’ campaign by writing a pledge to improve their lifestyle.  Over the two days 625 pledges were made ranging from stopping smoking and eating less chocolate to eating more fruit vegetables and taking up swimming. A range of stalls also provided information on improving diet and reducing obesity and raising awareness of hidden sugars and fats in food and drink.

Several Rotherham VIPs were witnessed in various states of animation including the mayor hoola- hooping and MP Dennis Macshane taking part in a backcercise class and pledging to take more exercise by walking and biking to Parliament as part of the ‘Move it’ Rotherham campaign.

Also at the Show was a large inflatable colon to raise awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of cancer screening.  Visitors were able to walk through the colon and find out more about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, the screening programme itself and speak to the experts. 

Andy Buck, NHS Rotherham Chief Executive, said: “Increasing the amount of exercise you undertake and improving your diet are two simple steps that will have a positive impact on your life.  Over 10,000 people visited our tent over the weekend and showed a real enthusiasm for the fun physical activities and for pledging to make small changes that will make a big difference to their health.”