Big crowds and blazing sunshine for Christian arts fest

ONE OF the largest attendances in recent years (possibly 17,000 people) made the Greenbelt Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse from 24th to 27th August one of the most successful ever. Such diverse artists as Delirious?, Billy Bragg, Matt Redman, Chas & Dave and Over The Rhine plus blazing sunshine ensured a large crowd at Christendom's longest running arts festival. At the Greenbelt communion service over £46,800.00 was raised for Trust Greenbelt, the festival's grant-making arm. Said Greenbelt's development manager Paul Northup, "This is Greenbelt's way of giving back to the wider community. It's one way that we can 'walk our own talk' by helping people to work out the Greenbelt vision throughout the year." A comprehensive review of music performances at Greenbelt will begin publication on the Cross Rhythms website tomorrow.