Thread: Greenbelt 2012 Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by 205 (# 206) on :
 
Apologies if this is a duplicate thread - I couldn't find any others.

I just learned Bruce Cockburn will perform Friday night - major Woot!

Seriously toying with the idea of attending... will anyone else be there?

TIA.
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
Well of course.
What else does one do on August Bank Holiday?
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Yes. Bruce Cockburn is cool. I will try and be there for him. Probably at the back.
 

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Posted by Auntie Doris (# 9433) on :
 
We'll be there. Having to come over from The Rock this year is adding to the cost rather considerably!
 

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Posted by Emma Louise (# 3571) on :
 
We plan to be there (have bought tickets already).
Haven't camped with 2 small people yet - they will be 3 1/2 and 8 months so it will be interesting. We're hoping to get some practice in in advance!

The last couple of years we've realised we don't really get to go to much but still enjoy the festival.
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 
We have already booked. This year I intend to actually get to some talks.
 

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Posted by mark_in_manchester (# 15978) on :
 
Oh...I was planning a year off, but if BC is playing...

(His last time at GB was the first, odd experience at Cheltenham in June or July, IIRC - GB99? For volunteering reasons I was about a mile away...a good definition of frustration.)
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 
That was also my first Greenbelt.
 

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Posted by Lucia (# 15201) on :
 
Ooh, Bruce Cockburn! We returned to Greenbelt for the first time last year after a ten year gap. Hubby and I used to be regulars every year BC (Before Children). I still remember Bruce Cockburn as one of the absolute highlights of our Greenbelt going in years past at Deene Park. Haven't booked yet but hoping to be there since we are planning on spending August in the UK.
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
I have just found this on Wikipedia if you scroll down you get a list of who was on at which festival. GB99 was in early August and indeed was the last time Cockburn played. I think I saw him in 1989.
 

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Posted by Lucia (# 15201) on :
 
According to the Wikipedia link Bruce Cockburn played at Cheltenham Racecource in 1999. My memory is failing me....I could have sworn I saw him at Deene Park.....
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 
Well, that was the first Cheltenham Racecourse Greenbelt.
 

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Posted by mark_in_manchester (# 15978) on :
 
From memory, he also did mainstage at castle ashby...pass me my walking frame...
 

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Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
I can remember Knebworth. By 'eck.
 

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Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
i should be there, all being well ...

(does anyone know how camping and having severe adult onset Asthma works? have had real problems the last few months (only very very recently diagnosed and still trying to get stable really, and worried about damp nights/green fields etc - anyone got any advice?)

i'm very excited about GB2012 because for the first year in very many, apart from a small contributor role with www.svox.co.uk I'm NOT volunteering ... so much much more time to be with people (and maybe see one or two things)

HH x
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 
HH- I know nothing about your medical condition, but can tell you that the Greenbelt medical service is brilliant. From a 5 day old infant shedding her skin to a severe ankle sprain, they were wonderful.
 

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Posted by East Price Road (# 13846) on :
 
Will be there.

Am looking forward to seeing Bellowhead and Imagined Village.
 

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Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
I have been booked. Just to write the talk now. And work out a Proper Title.
 

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Posted by Tubbs (# 440) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Doc Tor:
I can remember Knebworth. By 'eck.

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I was there in 1981 when U2 played a teeny tiny set.

[Is the swank value of being there cancelled out by the fact some people reading this are likely not to have been born then!].

Tubbs
 

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Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
Yes, quite.

I notice the Proclaimers are back. Most excellent.
 

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Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
Teenage daughter has asked if we can go. We've never been, but I'd like to. One snag is that our schools go back after the summer hols before this, so teenage daughter would need to take time off school; I'd need to convince the school to authorise her absence. Hmmmmm....
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
I don't know anything about it - there is always this alternative to Greenbelt in Scotland - this month!
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Er - actually Solas is in June not this month. On that link it mentions a festival auction taking place in April, but the festival itself is 22-24 June this year.

We missed it last year but went for the day in 2010 (the first year), it is much much smaller but also I thought more relaxed - as it's still finding its feet it is less frenetic than GB and there was plenty of time to not charge around from this thing to that. I liked it (midges were a bugger though once the sun started going down), and they managed to get some great acts (it finished that year with Peatbog Faeries, just before them were Scottish hiphop band Stanley Odd who were brilliant and well worth catching if you get the chance).

[how is it possible to misspell 'is'???]

[ 07. April 2012, 18:59: Message edited by: Jack the Lass ]
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
There is also the US version that weekend as well - Wild Goose in North Carolina.
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
Peterson Toscano is returning to Greenbelt this year.
 

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Posted by welsh dragon (# 3249) on :
 
oh and there is a National Express coach service now from London, Oxford, Nottingham and some othr major centres, direct to the Racecourse, it would appear.
 

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Posted by Auntie Doris (# 9433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by geroff:
Peterson Toscano is returning to Greenbelt this year.

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Hurray! I am very happy about that!

Auntie Doris x
 

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Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
I've just been invited to be part of the coolest panel evar at GB2012.

I could tell you more, but then I'd have to kill you, it's that cool.
 

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Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
I thopught everybody was cool at Greenbelt.

And damp.

That's why I've never been - I like my creature comforts.

Mind you, I think you can get there by steam train, which is a bonus.
 

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Posted by East Price Road (# 13846) on :
 
I'm pleased to see that Jackie Oates is now on the line-up. For me, to see her will make up for missing the Unthanks last year.
 

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Posted by harmony hope (# 4070) on :
 
Is Kate Rusby coming again?
 

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Posted by Auntie Doris (# 9433) on :
 
She's not on this year's line-up so far.

Auntie Doris x
 

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Posted by Jemima the 9th (# 15106) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by East Price Road:
Am looking forward to seeing Bellowhead ...

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quote:

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Originally posted by North East Quine:
Teenage daughter has asked if we can go. We've never been, but I'd like to. One snag is that our schools go back after the summer hols before this, so teenage daughter would need to take time off school; I'd need to convince the school to authorise her absence. Hmmmmm....

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Greenbelt is educational. It expands the mind, challenges ones prejudices and makes one think. And you are allowed to take your child on family holidays in school time!

[ 28. April 2012, 21:12: Message edited by: The Weeder ]
 

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Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
After many years of attending GB, and quite a few of them as a volunteer, I decided I was just going to go in 2012 to 'experience' the festival again ...

However because of health related issues mostly, I've decided this year that camping is a no go, and although there are other options obviously such as staying off site, they're not ones i'm comfortable with doing, so, I'm taking a year off GB. Fully.

I'm sad, but all good things need a break sometimes.

i'll miss the random meets, and bumping into folks and shippies, and of course the beer tent conversations!

have a fab 2012 festival, and i'll look forwards to hearing all about it

x

(edited to delete various repeated words)

[ 08. May 2012, 22:31: Message edited by: Horatio Harumph ]
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Horatio Harumph:
However because of health related issues mostly, I've decided this year that camping is a no go, and although there are other options obviously such as staying off site, they're not ones i'm comfortable with doing, so, I'm taking a year off GB. Fully.

(edited to delete various repeated words)

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HH, have you thought of staying at one of the 2 near by Premier Inns? We did this a couple of years ago, because of child health issues, and it worked well. The charge per night is for the room, and breakfast is included. Three adults and 4 children fitted into 2 rooms very comfortably. The staff were helpful, exchanging one bed we were not happy with, and were very friendly.

We made sandwiches and bought food on site, but the food bill was more than it woulld have been if we camped.

I would actually prefer to stay at the Premier Inn, but everyone else prefers camping, and the new tent has a 'wing' for me, so I will be camping this year.
 

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Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
the weeder, thanks for the advice.

my first thoughts had been that I was going to get a hotel, but to be honest, including travel (to and from Chelts but also to and from site daily) and food, and then a ticket (which i don't usually buy as i have volunteered in several roles plus i get food vouchers) staying in a hotel is all looking like it'd be far too expensive a weekend for me right now ...

if my finances suddenly change, i might reconsider (although it'd probably be too late to book anything by then, lol)

[ 20. May 2012, 00:51: Message edited by: Horatio Harumph ]
 

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Posted by East Price Road (# 13846) on :
 
I'm very pleased to see that Karine Polwart has been added to the music line-up.

Greenbelt time's getting close!
 

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Posted by iamchristianhearmeroar (# 15483) on :
 
Can't wait for GB. Not long now!
 

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Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
Eeyore that I am, I'll be watching the weather very closely on St Swithin's Day, 15th July with Greenbelt in mind.
 

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Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by East Price Road:
I'm very pleased to see that Karine Polwart has been added to the music line-up.

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I only have one song by her on this here i-tune-thingy... so I'll play it now
 

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Posted by East Price Road (# 13846) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by ken:

quote:

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Originally posted by East Price Road:
I'm very pleased to see that Karine Polwart has been added to the music line-up.

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I only have one song by her on this here i-tune-thingy... so I'll play it now

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There are a few performances of hers on youtube. Many fans think that "The Sun's Comin' Over the Hill" is her best song.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Our tickets are bought

I think this is the strongest music line-up for several years, I can't wait to see so much of it! A couple of recommendations of perhaps less well-known artists: Stanley Odd (Scottish hip-hop band - absolutely brilliant) and Abigail Washburn (singer with banjo, tons better than that sounds!). Don't say I kept them to myself!
 

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Posted by Auntie Doris (# 9433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Jack the Lass:
Our tickets are bought

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quote:

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Originally posted by East Price Road:

quote:

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Originally posted by ken:

quote:

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Originally posted by East Price Road:
I'm very pleased to see that Karine Polwart has been added to the music line-up.

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I only have one song by her on this here i-tune-thingy... so I'll play it now

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There are a few performances of hers on youtube. Many fans think that "The Sun's Comin' Over the Hill" is her best song.

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We can but hope.

(And 'yay' Jack!)
 

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Posted by harmony hope (# 4070) on :
 
We may have a spare child's (under 18)weekend ticket if anyone's interested - for early bird price of £55 (now £65 I think. Pls PM me if interested!
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
Michael Leunig is coming to the visual arts bit. Wonderful.
 

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Posted by iamchristianhearmeroar (# 15483) on :
 
Well, this is exciting, Rowan Williams is going to be there.
 

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Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
I've found out who else is on my amazingly-cool-subject panel. Not only will I be completely outgunned, but it'll be the biggest gig I've ever been part of.

If I don't it'll be a miracle.
 

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Posted by Auntie Doris (# 9433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Doc Tor:
I've found out who else is on my amazingly-cool-subject panel. Not only will I be completely outgunned, but it'll be the biggest gig I've ever been part of.

If I don't it'll be a miracle.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Auntie Doris:

quote:

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Originally posted by Doc Tor:
I've found out who else is on my amazingly-cool-subject panel. Not only will I be completely outgunned, but it'll be the biggest gig I've ever been part of.

If I don't it'll be a miracle.

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Are you going to tell us then?

Auntie Doris x

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It's only a few days to wait until the programme is published. Suffice to say I'm on stage with Robin Ince in Centaur.
 

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Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
Well, as always I'm far more excited at the prospect of camping than by any of the lineup. Still, I'm curious to see how the ABC comes over in the flesh so to speak....I quite like him even if I need an icepack round the head to be able to begin to understand a word he writes.

And I'll try to check out Jane Mason (promised my son; he has a thing about bread) Personally, I think a Nice Cup of Tea is The Answer, but I'm willing to have my horizons widened.
 

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Posted by East Price Road (# 13846) on :
 
I see they've just added Frank Skinner to the line-up.
 

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Posted by Pants (# 999) on :
 
I saw that from a couple of Facebook statuses!
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Miffy:
Still, I'm curious to see how the ABC comes over in the flesh so to speak....I quite like him even if I need an icepack round the head to be able to begin to understand a word he writes.

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Heard him speak on Sunday morning at a service here in the Forest. I would not have bothered to go, but we Readers were 'Three Line Whipped' to attend, in our robes. At the time, I thought he spoke well, but I can not remember anything he said! Last time I heard him speak, I fell asleep. So it was an improvement!
 

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Posted by chukovsky (# 116) on :
 
We put down a deposit on a campervan (hideous modern jobbie, to hire) yesterday. The job of babysitting Baby Spouse during the Proclaimers is hereby put out to tender.
 

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Posted by frin (# 9) on :
 
We suddenly have a spare under 18s ticket as one of our party broke a leg and won't be able to come. Happy to pass it on, if someone else can use it - it was at June deadline prices, so £5 less than onsite prices.

'frin
 

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Posted by Badger Lady (# 13453) on :
 
I also have a spare adult weekend camping ticket for Greenbelt which I now can't use. I have already received the wrist band so could post it out straight away. I paid June prices for it but will consider all (sensible) offers

[ 02. August 2012, 12:02: Message edited by: Badger Lady ]
 

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Posted by harmony hope (# 4070) on :
 

quote:

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We may have a spare child's (under 18)weekend ticket if anyone's interested - for early bird price of £55 (now £65 I think. Pls PM me if interested!

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Still think I've got that spare ticket to pass on (youngest daughter really not keen to come!) and have wristband now so could post on straight away - all reasonable offers considered!
 

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Posted by Dafyd (# 5549) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Doc Tor:
It's only a few days to wait until the programme is published. Suffice to say I'm on stage with Robin Ince in Centaur.

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quote:

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Originally posted by chukovsky:
We put down a deposit on a campervan (hideous modern jobbie, to hire) yesterday. The job of babysitting Baby Spouse during the Proclaimers is hereby put out to tender.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Dafyd:

quote:

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Originally posted by Doc Tor:
It's only a few days to wait until the programme is published. Suffice to say I'm on stage with Robin Ince in Centaur.

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Are you going to spill the beans yet for those of us who can't come this year? Go on.

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quote:

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Looking at the Greenbelt App, which is very useful, I don't think the ABC is there. It is another Rowan Williams.

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Yes, that's right. They originally put up the wrong (ABC's) profile and then changed it when people started to get a bit excited on the facebook groups!
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
It is this Rowan Williams.
Although as the ABC is a patron of Greenbelt I wouldn't have been surprised if he was there.
There are at least two shipmeets on site - the one that I will be at is at 7pm at the Tiny tea Tent on Saturday as I said further up this thread. Please come and identify yourself.


[fixed coding - WW]

[ 23. August 2012, 14:34: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by iamchristianhearmeroar (# 15483) on :
 
Will keep 7pm tiny tea in my mind - I'm in the facebook group so had seen it already.
 

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Posted by Alex Cockell (# 7487) on :
 
From what I understand, some of the acts who play Greenbelt are pretty good. I was wondering - who would we need to lobby about getting a major broadcaster in there to cover the event?

You know - the way the BBC cover Glastonbury?
 

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Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 
Golly, no-one has checked in on this thread yet. Well there was a deluge of biblical proportions on Sat but I've seen a fair few Shippies since so I think we're all still here.

Sorry I missed the Shipmeet, was on shift.

Have been having a blast this GB. Highlights as always are the people but have also enjoyed Lucy Winkett, June Boyce-Tillman on Hildegard of Bingen, 'Beer, Mass & Benediction', Hope & Social and of course a few pints of Jonah & the Ale and Bad Christian in the Jesus Arms.
 

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Posted by alienfromzog (# 5327) on :
 
Oooooh... first post-GB post

Well, for what it's worth, here's some thoughts from me;

Worship: Moved, challenged and encouraged by the communion service.
Music: Have never heard Folk On before, but they're great!
Politics: Douglas Alexander MP for Prime Minister (and I think I want to marry Stella Creasy... )
Talks: I really enjoyed the God is... series; very engaging and interesting. Some more in-depth thoughts here.

What did everyone else like?

Oh and there was a lot of mud - at least it means I've brought part of the festival home with me...

AFZ
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Who knew that so much water could move from up there to down here is so short a time.

Just back. Tired (despite the fact that I was in a hotel room, and slept well. I am still exhausted), but loved it, and feel very energised.

Yesterday I spent 6 hours at the very front of the mainstage, going through Karin Polwart, Seth Lakeman (did any performer have a more apt name?), The Imagined Village and Bellowhead.

My head has not stopped ringing.
 

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Posted by geroff (# 3882) on :
 
Alex - the BBC are there in lots of guises. Including Question Time on Friday. But although it has lots of good acts it isn't Glastonbury and I don't think it wants to be either.
We came home early on Monday night, like Schrodingers Cat we were in a hotel room but were still worn out. I think that the site coped quite well considering monsoon levels of rain and subsequent lakes of mud.
Highlights for us - well not much really Beer and Benediction followed by procession with the Blessed Sacrament, Richard Coles and The Paper Cinema.

[ 28. August 2012, 11:17: Message edited by: geroff ]
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 
Mud. Lots and lots of mud. We got the small boys home to their Grandmother, and coped with oceans of mud quite happily at first, but eventually gave in and came home.
Really grateful for the Angels Lounge- comfy seats and tea.
The Make and Take was wonderful- Little Weed and I mad a fabulous monkey- well he thought it was wonderful anyway.
I spent a lot of quality time with my God daughters, so it was great. Brief chat with the Alien and Pants.
 

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Posted by Auntie Doris (# 9433) on :
 
PaulW and I aren't quite home yet as we are stopping in Bath for a couple of nights.

Yangtze - June Boyce-Tillman was my choir mistress at college in Winchester. She is bonkers and positively scared the living daylights out of me.

Camping was pretty interesting this year. The monsoon conditions on Saturday made it quite challenging to get about at times but we survived.

Doing GB st 6 months pregnant is pretty knackering anyway.

Highlight for me was seeing the lovely Peterson Toscano of course, but also dancing in the puddles with the children to Bellowhead last night. That cheered me up no end.

I just love seeing all my friends there anyway.

Auntie Doris x
 

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Posted by Stowaway (# 139) on :
 
My highlights at the moment: Nitin Sawhney, Seth Lakeman, Bellowhead.

NT Wright, the Greenbelt App that made planning so much simpler (No I didn't write it).
 

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Posted by Emma Louise (# 3571) on :
 
We had a truly fantastic time this year. So much on for the children (we went to a "show" each day) and fantastic fun in the mud. We were fortunate to either be in the tiny tea or the performance cafe for the rainy bits.

However we aren't planning on camping next year...

Any recommendations for budget hotels/ B and B/ anything? I've looked at Travellodge but it looks like they only take bookings up until July 2013.
 

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Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
I'm back home but my poor little tent isn't. Sprung a leak in the floor on Saturday night/Sunday morning and struggled to stay dry. managed it but I needed a long, hot bath which I just had!

Highlights for me The Imagined Village, the beer tend on the last night (as always), and maybe Peter Tatchell's talk on wealth tax. Which had a strangely serendipitious synchronicity with the talk on poverty by some bloke from Christian Aid, and the contribution to the visions of the future panel (game? talk? show? seminar?) by Doc Tor of this parish. Though that gets a little purgatorial for this thread.
 

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Posted by GrahamR (# 11299) on :
 
Had a great time - despite the mud and rain!
With a 3 year old in tow we mainly went to all-age worship - of which there was quite a lot, and which was (mostly!) good. A highlight again (as it was last year) was the all-age service from Visions on Friday night - shame they didn't get a better slot.

The Roots services were good as well. John Polkinghorne was on good form, and Rend Collective were great!
 

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Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :
 
I hope all your tents that got so wet will be reasonably able to dry at home and stay water-proof for the next time you camp. I always put the water-proofing stuff on our tents to keep them dry - many are old.
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Emma Louise:
We had a truly fantastic time this year. So much on for the children (we went to a "show" each day) and fantastic fun in the mud. We were fortunate to either be in the tiny tea or the performance cafe for the rainy bits.

However we aren't planning on camping next year...

Any recommendations for budget hotels/ B and B/ anything? I've looked at Travellodge but it looks like they only take bookings up until July 2013.

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quote:

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Originally posted by iamchristianhearmeroar:
Wonderful Greenbelt as ever. Nothing could be done about the weather and mercifully our tent kept the wind, the rain and the mud out. I thought the stewards and all other volunteers rose to their significantly more arduous task brilliantly.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Auntie Doris:
PaulW and I aren't quite home yet as we are stopping in Bath for a couple of nights.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
Yesterday I spent 6 hours at the very front of the mainstage, going through Karin Polwart, Seth Lakeman (did any performer have a more apt name?), The Imagined Village and Bellowhead.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Yangtze:
Well quite possibly we were bopping around next to each other without realising, as that's where I was as well. At least for Karine and Imagined Village.

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quote:

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I would have liked to have seen a far more innovative and challenging event - not service. I would have liked better use of the space, more things happening, an event that reflected the wonderfully weird nature of the people who tend to attend.

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quote:

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Originally posted by busyknitter:
I honestly don't mind weird but can't be doing with rewriting the eucharistic prayer using so much environmental imagery as if the sin of causing climate change were all that mattered.

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quote:

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Originally posted by busyknitter:
And the Piece for Voices was just plain dull.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:

quote:

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Originally posted by busyknitter:
I honestly don't mind weird but can't be doing with rewriting the eucharistic prayer using so much environmental imagery as if the sin of causing climate change were all that mattered.

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I was ok with that, and thought it was quite appropriate. It does not mean that this is the only aspect, just one to be remembered.

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quote:

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For so-called intercessions that tell you what you already know and the congregation what to do,

Lord, have mercy.

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quote:

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quote:

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Originally posted by busyknitter:
And the Piece for Voices was just plain dull.

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And that is exactly what could have been done better. More volume, more different voices, and spreading them out across the crowd would have made it work better, I think. As it was, because I couldn't see or hear it very well, it was lost on me.

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I could hear it very well and it was lost on me.

From a purely dramatic point of view you are right, they flubbed it by all standing in the same place and choosing speakers with very similar voices so it often wasn't clear who was speaking. It was if someone was being Jesus and someone being a preacher and someone being a woman sitting in the congregation and someone being a woman at home in London and someone being a poor woman in some place where people are poorer than London and someone being a cat and someone being some domestic object or other and all speaking similar things in similar voices so you couldn't tell them apart.

But there, unlike the prayers, I think the content was lacking, not just the form. If it had been done well it would have been better poetry but I suspect that it would have not been better preaching.
 

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Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 
I liked the Communion Service. Best one in years. Normally I find it tries to be all things to all people so fails to be anything. This time it was coherent rather than bitty. (Though possibly a bit wordy for the location in places.). And unlike the MW I found the different women's voices both distinctive and appropriately dramatic.

So, goes to show they really can't please everyone.
 

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Posted by Tom Day (# 3630) on :
 
I was one of the ones who didn't think it was great - I felt it got better but by that stage the kids were getting restless (it was over 1h 1/2 long) and the bubbles had run out!

Overall I really enjoyed Greenbelt this year. I thought the children's festival was very strong - a lot of good shows and things for the kids to do - we were in the playhouse at least once if not 2 or 3 times a day. The positioning of it was better as well as it felt larger but also safe for the children to be in the play tent while you sat outside with a coffee.

Apart from the children's stuff my main part was the Music. Because I like the folky stuff a lot I thought it was a great lineup this year. The Proclaimers were their usual good fun, The Imagined Village were amazing - I loved the way teh different personalities and the range of different styles intertwined together. Hope and Social were fun until the rain came (and as others had said it really did come down) and Bellowhead made me leave teh festival in a happy mood.

All in all another fun year...

Tom
 

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Posted by alienfromzog (# 5327) on :
 
I really liked the service.

Interestingly, by nature I am in many ways a boring-conservative-evangelical and it would not be the kind of thing I would choose.

Some of the music I loved, some not so much. But I did think it all engaging.

Yes there were some 'techinical' issues with the voices but for me that was a really strong part of the service; the voices of the hurting and broken in this world of sin. I felt a strong sense of the passion of Jesus. I wrote on my facebook wall that I found the service very moving and "I am convinced that in a world so broken and hurting it is only in Jesus, the broken, hurting and dying God that we find any answers"

YMMV.

AFZ
 

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Posted by Tractor Girl (# 8863) on :
 
It was definately a "marmite" one this year. I was one of those who thought it was one of the best for years although I thought it did get a bit wordy in places.
What made it good for me was the fact it was straightforward without alot of complicated instructions to follow and didn't seem to drag so much as some years. Think the fact it was songs which were known or easy to pick up helped.
 

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Posted by East Price Road (# 13846) on :
 
I enjoyed the communion more than I have most of the past few years. I liked the songs, and the speakers all spoke clearly.

I DID NOT enjoy being marked out as the oldest in my group - the grounds for identifying the oldest and youngest in each group to break the bread and pour the wine was never fully explained!

I enjoyed the hilarious typo which meant that at one point we were encouraged to "eat this beard"
 

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Posted by The Kat in the Hat (# 2557) on :
 
Our group didn't bother with that, nor did they wait until being told before pouring out the wine.
 

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Posted by busyknitter (# 2501) on :
 
Our group failed to notice that particular instruction as well.
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by The Kat in the Hat:
Our group didn't bother with that, nor did they wait until being told before pouring out the wine.

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quote:

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Originally posted by East Price Road:
I enjoyed the hilarious typo which meant that at one point we were encouraged to "eat this beard"

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quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:

quote:

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Originally posted by The Kat in the Hat:
Our group didn't bother with that, nor did they wait until being told before pouring out the wine.

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Why does this not surprise me. You had drunk the whole lot before the service I expect.......

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So that's why we enjoyed it
 

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Posted by The Weeder (# 11321) on :
 
We forgot to go.
 

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Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
I actually enjoyed Greenbelt this time round, mud and all. Volunteering turned out to be A Good Idea.
 

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Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 
I think if I didn't volunteer I would find Greenbelt a lonely place. I knew heaps of people who go but increasingly they are all attached and hang out by default with their partner. Seem very happy to see/meet up me when I ask but make far less effort actually to arrange to meet up / go to things together than when we were all unattached at GB.

Totally understandable but arranging to meet for tea or at one thing once in a weekend is different to 'what shall we do now, who's doing what, fancy going to...'

As I said, understandable, but I think if I weren't volunteering I'd be a bit lonely.

As it is I love Greenbelt, love meeting up with people I don't get to see often enough even if it is only for a brief moment in passing these days, and had a fantastic festival.
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Yangtze - if you go next year, lets swap phone numbers. I normally end up on my own, and would love to meet up.
 

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Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Yangtze:
I think if I didn't volunteer I would find Greenbelt a lonely place. I knew heaps of people who go but increasingly they are all attached and hang out by default with their partner. Seem very happy to see/meet up me when I ask but make far less effort actually to arrange to meet up / go to things together than when we were all unattached at GB.

Totally understandable but arranging to meet for tea or at one thing once in a weekend is different to 'what shall we do now, who's doing what, fancy going to...'

As I said, understandable, but I think if I weren't volunteering I'd be a bit lonely.

As it is I love Greenbelt, love meeting up with people I don't get to see often enough even if it is only for a brief moment in passing these days, and had a fantastic festival.

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Yup, you've said it. This year's volunteering was a calculated risk for me; if it hadn't worked , I'd decided to take a rest from GB for a few years. Happily the outcome was positive. I'll Be Back.

Agree that the dynamics change when you're not attached - to partner or group. (My other half no longer 'does' Greenbelt). With just one exception that I knew of,
all my team were there either with their church or partner to go back to, although I felt quite sorry for the couples who were working different shifts in different venues and so hardly saw anything of each other all weekend!

I found that not having that ready-made network to fall back on I really needed to push myself forward more than I'd normally do and valued those brief meetings I had all the more because of that. Ironically I went straight on to our annual church pilgrimage soon after GB - four days of enforced togetherness - the two complemented each other quite nicely!
 

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Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
Yangtze - if you go next year, lets swap phone numbers. I normally end up on my own, and would love to meet up.

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