In praise of Greenbelt (for anyone who isn’t quite sure about it)

Veronica Zundel shares her memories of the slightly alternative and often criticised Christian festival, which turns 50 this year 

This month boasts the 50th anniversary of the Greenbelt festival of arts, theology and faith. I first went in 1976, as an interpreter for a German band with whom I was on tour for three weeks (never say I haven’t lived). I loved it from the start, and though I stay offsite (I don’t camp) and haven’t been every year, I must have been to at least 40 of them. During its history, attendance has waxed and waned, there have been many moments when the whole thing almost closed down, and it’s often got through by the skin of its teeth (no big rich churches helping to fund it – just donations alongside the entrance fee).