Solving the Rastrick Riddle

Back in April 2025, 13 local groups, organisations, and services came together through Active Rastrick and the We’re All Active Calderdale partnership to spark fresh ideas for Rastrick’s third community activity challenge.

Following the success of the Round the World and Pole to Pole challenges, the group wanted something new, fun, and inspiring – a way to get more people moving and more organisations promoting physical activity as part of everyday life.

That’s how the Rastrick Riddle was born.

What was the Rastrick Riddle?

For five weeks, local people worked together to be more active, hitting collective movement targets to unlock letters of a hidden sentence. Along the way, there were prizes for those who cracked the riddle and for anyone who got involved in bonus challenges, like encouraging a friend to get active.

The challenge wasn’t just about fitness. It was about:

•            Inspiring more people to get moving and stay active

•            Helping local organisations weave activity into what they do

•            Shining a light on the fantastic ways to be active right here in Rastrick

•            Bringing people together for some fun and community spirit

“It motivated me to do more walking and step count, I also liked doing the puzzle/challenges”

Rastrick Riddle Participant

“It has made me move more outside and improved my mood due to the activities and being out in the local countryside, canals and fields. Great weather has also helped.”

Rastrick Riddle Participant

The Results

The numbers speak for themselves:

•            10.7 million steps recorded

•            362 participants joined in

•            100 official registrations

•            18 local organisations played their part

•            All in just 5 weeks

“It made me realise that keeping fit and active is an achievable goal and hopefully I will continue in the future.”

Rastrick Riddle Participant

“It has helped boost my mental wellbeing, improved my fitness, benefitted my health and I will continue to get outdoors and walk more and stay active.” 

Rastrick Riddle Participant

A Community Moving Together

The Rastrick Riddle shows what’s possible when the community comes together with a shared goal. It built on years of hard work to make Rastrick a place where being active is part of everyday life, and proved once again that activity can be fun, social, and rewarding.

"The Solving the Rastrick Riddle physical activity challenge in Rastrick has been a great success. We've heard how local people have increased their activity levels whilst having fun trying the solve the riddle at the same time! It's also been great to see the Active Rastrick Facebook page thrive, seeing people encourage and support each other to be active. Well done to everyone involved in the success of this challenge"

Anthony Whittaker

Public Health Practitioner, Calderdale Council

To keep up to date with all things active in Rastrick, join the Active Rastrick group on Facebook.