Huge Array of Entertainment and Learning at Belper Goes Green Festival

Music

This year Belper Goes Green has three stages, all centred in marquees, so this year any blips in the weather won’t stop the music, talks or classes.

The Earth Stage and the Ocean Stage will see 33 bands and groups perform over the three days. Friday night kicks off the festival with Small Town Boys, Boats on the Ocean, Ben Milles, and the beloved festival opener, Water for Dogs.

Saturday and Sunday, will include performances from: Ola Wilson, Hattie Hatstar, Wilf and the Hulabaloo, Jetlines, Magic Car, Darren Claxton, 45, Mocking Jays, Marty, Frank Hunter Trio, Buenos Treehouse, Loha Maddison, Scott Makepeace, Black Cats and Magpies, Mr. Wolf, Experimental Sonic Machines, Saskia, 5 Hills Out, Earth Songs with Maggie Braley, Pala, Chris and Dave, Leftychris, Scribble Victory, Dave Young and the Midnight Chorus, Fleet Arts, Jig for a Kiss, Anteloup, The Herron Brothers, and The Bagatelles.

Environment and People

The Climate Stage focuses on more selfless pursuits, including a talk on “Permaculture: Earth care, people care, future care” from Permaculture Association Britain, delving into Belper’s history with World Heritage Site Co-ordinator Adrian Farmer, and crime writer Roz Walker talking about her new book, Dead Man’s Daughter.

Word Peace on Saturday features local spoken word performers and three minute open mic spots for those who would like to join the event. A second poetry event, Talking Heads, offers different poets to the first.

Sunday also sees the return of the experience sharing and prejudice challenging Human Library, daring you to “borrow” a human and learn about a kind of life which you have never personally experienced.

Health and Wellbeing

The Health and Wellbeing area and Medicine Wheel brings you the opportunity to try or learn about: Tai Chi, Yoga, Fermentation, making snacks from scratch, How to “grow into your own skin”, how to “think like a tree”, gut health, and holistic massage.

On Saturday the Medicine Wheel will feature Tslogi, Cherokee dance and Sundance song, as well as singing and drumming.  There will be nature activities from the Forest School, and nutrition advice.

Children

With many children’s activities, the Toy Library’s play zone, hair braiding, art and recycling projects, and a vintage carousel, there is something for every child to enjoy.

Repair not Replace

Also launching at the festival is the Transition Belper “Fix It Space”, which will run monthly at the Green Exchange Cafe.  Visitors can bring broken household items to be fixed.  Items cannot be left at the Fix It Space, and repairs are limited to 30 mins.  Please do not bring large electrical items – these should be saved to take to the cafe, rather than the very busy festival.

Food and Sustainability

This year a huge increase in vegetarian and vegan food is being placed well away from the meat, so that no-one’s dinner is ruined by the sight and smell of that which is unacceptable to them.

CAMRA will be in a tent to avoid congestion inside the clubhouse.

There is an ever increasing focus on sustainable packaging and there will be tote bags and reusable plastic cups to purchase, or you can bring your own.  Single use food and drink containers are discouraged.  Polystyrene is completely banned.

No fossil fuel generators are permitted.  All stages are solar powered.  To minimise landfill, please use the recycling bins provided.

Accessibility

Accessible Belper have worked with local groups to provide a Mobiloo on Satirday and Sunday, with an electric hoist, and changing table to allow those with disabilities and complex needs to be fully able to attend and enjoy the festival. Supporters this year are:   Foundation Derbyshire, Ladies for Loos (concert), Transition Belper, and the Great Places Scheme of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

This year sees a £2 charge being added to the festival.  £2 for all this!