The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The Pokémon Go craze is as hot in South Holland as it is across the world right now.
The free-to-play game uses mobile phones to fuse gaming with reality. Using GPS technology, players – or trainers as they are known – can ‘catch’ characters which appear on their screen.
The game is enthralling people of all ages, with individuals and small groups taking to the streets.
Jamie Coleman (31), of Spalding, tracking Pokémon Go characters in Ayscoughfee Gardens.
Mum-of-one Bex Kitchen has been a fan of Nintendo’s Pokémon since she was a child. She managed to get Pokémon Go legally on July 7 – a week before its general release in the UK and has been busy ever since catching in Spalding, Holbeach and Pinchbeck.
The 21-year-old said: “I play it every day – I’m a bit addicted. I go for long walks of a couple of hours with my young son in his pushchair and I’m playing it then.
“I’m autistic and it’s helping a lot of people who have autism. It’s getting them to socialise.”
Bex started Facebook group Pokémon Go! Spalding to share news and tips and arrange to meet up with fellow players. It already has about 200 members.
She said: “The game enables you to get some exercise as well as having fun.”
But the craze is causing some uneasiness too.
Baytree Nurseries Garden Centre at Weston is not against Pokémon Go but has placed an advert in today’s edition of The Voice appealing for players to respect its property.
General manager Nigel Wallis said youngsters have been found ‘catching’ in the car park long after closing time and believes Nintendo ought to be seeking businesses’ permission.
He added: “There should be forewarning that Pokémon characters are going to be available on people’s premises.”
