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BBC News
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Greenbelt Festival prepares for 51 years of music and social justice
Thousands of people will be descending on a stately home this weekend for a festival that has been staged more times than the arts, faith and justice festival, began in 1974 and is taking place this year at Boughton House near Kettering in the guests will be former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Silent Witness actress, Liz Carr, who is also a disability rights how did the story start and what have the last 50 years been like for Greenbelt? A chance encounter The event came together after James Holloway, a theologian and bricklayer, picked up a Christian musician called Steve Shaw, who was time later, Shaw introduced Holloway to Jim Polassari, part of a travelling Christian community, who wanted to stage a so-called Jesus said that he knew someone in Suffolk whose brother had a farm, and Polassari replied: "If you've got a farm, you've got a festival."They got the go-ahead to use the farm and it staged the first Greenbelt in 1974, with the songwriter Garth Hewitt and the Daventry-born music journalist, Steve Turner, on the the early days, some of the funding came from a trust that wanted to bring young people to founders argued that it needed to have a wider appeal, focussing on arts and social justice as well as funders eventually agreed, and the broad appeal is something the festival has aimed for ever since. Which famous musicians performed at early Greenbelt festivals? The festival was seen as adopting a position on the political spectrum that was to the left of most church congregations, supporting causes such as Palestine, social justice in Nicaragua and gay and lesbian reached out to well-known entertainers who would be in tune with its Christian musicians Sir Cliff Richard and Roy Castle appeared on the bill in 1979, when the festival was based at Odell Castle near Bedford. Sir Cliff finally agreed to play at Greenbelt after several invitations were declined, and adhered to a condition that he played his secular hits as well as his worship music.U2 featured in 1981, alongside Rick Parfitt of Status Quo, Phil Everly and Sir Cliff Cliff made a third appearance two years later, when Greenbelt graced the hallowed grass of Knebworth House, whose own eponymous festival had made its debut in the same year as Greenbelt. When did the festival first visit Northamptonshire? Knebworth House attracted huge audiences but also turned out to be quite expensive and Greenbelt was not universally popular with nearby 1984, the Greenbelt caravan moved to Castle Ashby, the home of the Marquess of Northampton, where it stayed until main stage line-up was dominated by Christian musicians such as Amy Grant, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and, yet again, Sir who were not known for their faith, such as Runrig and Steve Harley, and those known to be atheists, such as Bob Geldof and Labi Siffre, also made appearances. Following the departure from Castle Ashby, the Greenbelt Board wanted to establish a permanent home down the road at Church Stowe in Northamptonshire, but they were met strong resistance from local people and shelved the this radical, left-leaning spectacle found its way to another stately home, Deene Park, the seat of the Brudenell names such as Tom Robinson, The Proclaimers, Moby and, bizarrely, model Samantha Fox, performed among the avenues of trees and formal gardens of Deene Park. Why did the festival move out of Northamptonshire? By the end of the 1990s, attendance and finances were becoming something of a headache for Greenbelt's youth groups, which had often turned up in the festival campsite en masse, were declining, as church attendance across the board started to that were attracting young people were generally more conservative and less in tune with the Greenbelt costs of turning Deene Park into a functioning village every year and then returning it to an immaculate estate were increasing, so the board looked for a venue which came with things like running water, electricity and proper toilets as settled on Cheltenham Racecourse. From 1999, the historic national hunt course welcomed the likes of Joan Armatrading, Courtney Pine, Billy Bragg and The Proclaimers to the main festival was also attracting some big names who took part in debates or Williams, who was Archbishop of Canterbury at the time, Peter Tatchell, Bruce Kent and Clare Short were on the in 2013, the racecourse management informed Greenbelt that they were closing for refurbishment and the festival could no longer happen once more, Northamptonshire beckoned... How is Greenbelt doing now? Greenbelt took a bit of a risk by returning to a stately home where the grounds had no running water, electricity or proper first year, 2014, was difficult, and Greenbelt lost a lot of money, but it focussed its priorities, raised money and gradually attracted more people through the festival-goers came to love their new venue, telling the BBC they preferred the "back to nature" vibe of the place and the feeling of an event that created its own environment and then cleared it away as the Boughton House event built up a head of steam, Covid-19 hit, turning the 2020 Greenbelt into a digital-only programme and the 2021 edition into small-scale community gatherings at the campsite. Since 2022, the full-strength festival has been attracting more than 10,000 people and more big feminist punk rock group Pussy Riot was on the bill in 2018. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and comedian Milton Jones have been recent guests.A flexible ticketing system has been introduced, allowing those who cannot afford the full price to pay less and those who can afford it to pay more than face Corbyn, Carr, Lost Voice Guy and Adjoa Andoh lined up for 2025, the festival has made it into its 50s, weathering a great many storms and - most of the time - enjoying the sunshine. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Your Bank Holiday sorted - Greenbelt Festival weekend & day tickets available
Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 August 2025 l Boughton House l Kettering. Not sorted your August Bank Holiday yet? Then get yourself, your family, and your friends to this year's Greenbelt Festival. Not only does it have some amazing headline acts, it's also one of the only UK festivals that is truly inclusive and multi-generational. It's three full days to hangout with people of every age, gender, background, and faith; it's where hope exists in abundance, ideas are shared, serious partying taking place. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Where else can you get your groove on with the jaw-dropping; awe-inspiring disco-gospel-soul family affair, Annie and the Caldwells, party with the amazing, party-starting Afrobeat funk, hip-hop fusion band, K.O.G; be inspired by Silent Witness actor and disability activist, Liz Carr; learn about the global arms trade from former politician and lifelong campaigner for peace, Jeremy Corbyn? Photo credit: Becca Hicks And how about activist and Bridgerton actor, Adjoa Andoh; the thrilling and revolutionary (in every sense of the word) Bab L'Bluz with their liberating North African blues; musician and activist, Brian Eno; the queen of English folk, Kate Rusby; the amazing, party-starting Afrobeat funk, hip-hop fusion band, K.O.G; the unstoppable force of Brit Rock, Nadine Shah; clothier, sustainability advocate, the Sewing Bee's Patrick Grant; and Sarah Corbett's Craftivist in Residence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Annie and the Caldwells Come for the full weekend or just the day. There are still weekend and day tickets available (be quick though!) Weekend tickets start from £180 and day tickets (which Greenbelt has reduced to pre-pandemic prices!) are £60 for adults, concessions £35, under 18s £20, and under 5s are £10. You can grab your tickets until midnight on 20 August and then on the day. HEADLINER DEEP DIVE - ARE YOU READY? MAIN STAGE - THE GLADE ARENA ANNIE AND THE CALDWELLS - It's a family affair Bringing the soul to disco, and the joy to Greenbelt: it's Annie & The Caldwells! Annie, her two daughters, Deborah and Anjessica, goddaughter Toni Rivers, eldest son Willie Jr, and youngest son Abel Aquarius make music that not just moves you spiritually but emotionally. Recently featured in the Guardian's best albums of 2025, this is one act you have to see! MAIN STAGE - THE GLADE ARENA K.O.G - Afro-fusion guaranteed to get the party started! Saturday night is party-night at the Glade Arena with the amazing talent of Kweku Sackey aka K.O.G (Kweku of Ghana) - an awesome blend of Afrobeat, funk, and hip-hop; shamanistic live performance, fierce raps and perfect on-pitch singing, all topped off with some absolutely wicked dance moves. Inspired and musically influenced by the likes of Tom Waits, Quincy Jones, Bob Marley, Sizzla, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Pavarotti (to name but a few) he's performed all over the world from Glastonbury to the Commonwealth Games. This is your chance to see him and his epic band at this summer's Greenbelt. THE PAGODA VENUE LIZ CARR - Better off Dead? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You'll recognise actor Liz Carr for her role as formidable forensic examiner, Clarissa Mullery, in BBC 1's Silent Witness, as well as appearing in hit TV shows such as Good Omens, Loki, and The Witcher. More recently Liz hosted the BBC documentary, 'Better off Dead?' which explored the repercussions of assisted suicide, and why she believes it shouldn't be legalised in the UK. As an international activist for disability Liz feels it's her duty to present the alternative view point to assisted dying and her right to live. THE PAGODA VENUE THE SEWING BEE'S PATRICK GRANT - The circular economy of fashion Currently back on your screens for the new series of BBC 2's The Sewing Bee, Patrick Grant has a lot to say about clothes. How many we buy, how we value them, what they're made from, and importantly who made them and where. His campaigning clothes brand Community Clothing supports local clothing and textile manufacturers across the UK. An outspoken advocate for radical change in the fashion and clothing industry, Patrick encourages us to move towards reducing consumption of higher quality goods, whilst ensuring a circular and regenerative economy. THE PAGODA VENUE - SATURDAY Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad ADJOA ANDOH - Bridgerton's Queen Charlotte comes to Boughton House Actor, writer, director, with a career spanning four decades, from Dr Who to The Witcher, Adjoa Andoh is best known for playing Lady Danbury in Bridgerton and in its prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton story. She's trod the boards at the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare and made her Hollywood debut alongside Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in Invictus. Greenbelt is excited to welcome Adjoa who'll be speaking on her life as an actor, her journey of faith and justice, with a special focus on her advocacy around fair trade. THE MAIN STAGE - THE GLADE ARENA - FRIDAY BAB L'BLUZ - reclaiming the blue for North Africa Subverting the status quo, fronted by an African-Moroccan woman in traditionally male role, Bab L'Baz is devoted to a revolution in attitude which mirrors Morocco's 'nayda' youth movement (a new wave of artists and musicians taking their cues from local heritage, singing words of freedom in the Moroccan Arabic dialect of darija). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This power quartet travels the globe to distill its hypnotic riffs and spread its mystical and liberating headbanging frenzy to its audience. Bab L' Bluz has stormed the music scene receiving critical acclaim and a raft of awards including Mojo Top 10 world Album of the Year, Songlines Best albums of 2020. Currently on a world tour, (including Greenbelt!) make sure you're front-centre for this pedal-to-the-mental, energetic gig. MAIN STAGE - GLADE ARENA - SUNDAY KATE RUSBY - The undisputed Queen Of British Folk Delighted to welcome back to this year's Greenbelt, it's the fantastic Kate Rusby with her sublime brand new album - and performing with a full band - for the first time in 10 years! If that wasn't enough Kate will be joined by the ever-brilliant breakthrough gospel act, Annie and the Caldwells, who are making their first appearance at Greenbelt after bursting onto the scene over the last year with an authentic and unadulterated disco-tinged gospel joy. THE MAIN STAGE - GLADE ARENA - FRIDAY NADINE SHAH - Tour de force of Brit Rock Don't miss the sensational Nadie Shah as she brings her unique mix of indie rock, jazz, post-punk meets folk-rock to the the Glade Arena on Friday night. Nadine will also be in conversation on Friday. Described as a force of British rock, her lyrics explore tough themes such as the Syrian refugee crisis, Islamophobia, sexism, mental health and addiction. She has also been part of calls for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In 2024 alone Nadine supported Young Fathers and then Depeche Mode on their European and UK Arena tour, which she followed-up with her very own sold-out UK headline tour! She was also a special guest for New Order at Wythenshawe Park and Elbow at Ludlow Castle. She topped off the year with a short European winter tour that culminated in her biggest UK show to date at Kentish Town Forum. NO FLY ZONE - SATURDAY & AROUND THE FESTIVAL SITE - ALL WEEKEND BRIAN ENO - where religion and art and collide No introduction needed for this music industry legend. A founding member of Roxy Music, Brain's released over 40 albums as a solo artist, and produced albums with Talking Heads, Coldplay, U2 and James as well as collaborating on recordings with music superstars such as David Bowie and Gracie Jones. As well as being a founding member of the Long Now Foundation, a trustee of Client Earth, and patron of Videre est Credere, Brian launched EarthPercent in April 2021, which raises money from the music industry for some of the most impactful environmental charities working on the climate emergency. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Catch Brian in conversation with Unitarian minister and member of his Hard Art Collective, Liz Slade, exploring the question: is art a form of religion or is religion a form of art? SARAH CORBETT, CRAFTIVIST IN RESIDENCE - ALL WEEKEND AROUND THE FESTIVAL SITE Sarah Corbett is an award-winning activist, Ashoka Fellow, author and founder of the global Craftivism Collective. She has dedicated over a decade to the Craftivism Collective, honing her unique approach to craftivism (craft + activism). With over a decade of honing her unique 'Gentle Protest' methodology, combining neuroscience, positive psychology, campaign strategy and beautiful handicrafts. Sarah has worked with national and international charities, museums, galleries and unusual allies such as Secret Cinema for its Shawshank Redemption series of epic events. She was included in the Crafts Council 2018 'Power List'. Sarah will be popping up at different venues across the festival weekend as part of her craftivist residency. She will also be in conversation with Patrick Grant discussing fast fashion, the importance of sustainability and the circular economy. THE PAGODA VENUE - SUNDAY Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad JEREMY CORBYN - How the global arms trade is running the world Former leader of the Labour Party, and MP of 42 years, Jeremy Corbyn is a lifelong campaigner for peace, justice and human rights. In 2021 he founded the Peace & Justice Project, a movement which brings people together for social and economic justice, peace and human rights in Britain and across the world. Jeremy will be discussing his book, 'Monstrous Anger of the Guns: How the Global Arms Trade is Ruining the World and What We Can Do About It'. Published on the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, it lays bare the dark and deceitful world of the global arms trade. The arms trade is also examined in Greenbelt's theatre space with the hard-hitting play, 'The Mistake', and through the festival's links with Christian Aid. Elsewhere highlights include… Comedy Club headliner Lost Voice Guy and brilliant boundary-breaking, comedy new-comer Fatihia El-Ghorri; Michael Mears' hard-hitting play, The Mistake - which has been described by 'The List' as a 'powerful examination of humanity in the wake of Hiroshima'; BAMBOO from Nofit State, the spectacular new high-impact, high-skill outdoor circus production using only bamboo and human bodies; and the deliciously camp and exceedingly awesome drag queen legend, Crudi Dench! WANT TO KNOW MORE? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Here's the official line up poster! Or pop over to Greenbelt's website to check out the line-up in all its glory. HOW DO I GET A TICKET? Greenbelt Festival's pay-what-you-can ticketing model is back Greenbelt Festival's radical and inclusive pay-what-you-can ticketing pricing structure means those who can pay – do – and those who can't – have the opportunity to pay what they can. There's three simple price-points for adult tickets: Supported, Standard and Supporter. Adult weekend tickets cost just £180 for those who choose the Supported price, £240 for the festival's Standard ticket, and £300 for the pay-it-forward Supporter ticket. FESTIVAL CREDS Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Over the years Greenbelt has welcomed headline acts such as Pussy Riot, Sinead O'Connor, Kae Tempest, Estelle, Laura Mvula, Magic Numbers, Ezra Furman, and Mavis Staples to name but a few! It has seen early performances by future global artists such as Ed Sheeren, Corinne Bailey Rae, as well as the mighty U2 who played Greenbelt in 1981 when they had only released their first album. See you in the fields! FESTIVAL DATE & VENUE - Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 August 2025 l Boughton House l Kettering TICKET INFORMATION - You can buy tickets and find out more about Greenbelt's ticketing structure online.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Audio Liz Carr
Actress and disability campaigner, Liz Carr, is probably best known for her role as forensic examiner, Clarissa Mullery, in the TV crime drama, Silent Witness. She's also done comedy, theatre and even written a musical, about what she calls 'assisted suicide'. Last year she fronted the award-winning BBC TV documentary, Better Off Dead, making the case against assisted dying. Born and raised in Merseyside, Liz Carr became seriously ill when she was seven and has used a wheelchair since she was eleven. Whilst studying law at Nottingham University, she got involved in politics, disabled rights and activism. As her public profile grew she became a powerful voice in the debates over assisted dying. As the assisted dying bill returns to the Commons this week, with MPs debating and voting on a series of contentious amendments, Mark Coles speaks to Liz's friends and colleagues about her acting, comedy and campaigning. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Sally Abrahams and Nik Sindle Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Nick Holland Credits: Silent Witness: 'Covenant part 2' (2017) BBC/Cipango Productions Audiovisuelles/Dir. David Drury Better Off Dead (2024); Burning Bright Productions/ BBC/Dir. James Routh Hardtalk – Stephen Sackur interviews Liz Carr Dirty Dancing (1987) Great American Films Limited Partnership/Vestron Pictures/Dir. Emile Ardolino
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Disabled Londoners campaign to stop Pip changes
"Pip goes some way to recognising that we are not on an even playing field," EastEnders actor and disability advocate Lisa Hammond has north Londoner is one of many signatories on the campaign to urge the government to stop the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments (Pip).Deaf and disabled people are asking the prime minister in an open letter to adopt a different approach, after the Department for Work and Pensions announced what it called the biggest shake up to "rebalance" the welfare proposed changes from the government include changing the eligibility criteria for Pip, which campaigners said would be "catastrophic" for those who need support most. More than 140 celebrities including activists Liz Carr and Jack Thorne have signed the open letter, which was released on Tuesday. Comedian, actor and author, Samantha Baines, is an advocate for hearing loss and has signed the letter. Ms Baines, from Southwark, told the BBC: "This is a huge issue."Thousands of households are going to be driven into poverty or further into poverty because of this."For every pound cut from Pip, that's going to lead to £1.50 in additional costs for local authorities. This has been viewed as a human rights violation by the UN."Ms Hammond added: "We are not benefit scroungers, we are human beings who are trying to get by and live our lives." The proposed changes from the government to the welfare system include reintroducing reassessments for those who have the capability to work, changing the eligibility criteria for the Pip, rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit and delaying access to the health element of Universal Credit until the claimant is campaign Taking the Pip stated that if the plans went ahead "700,000 families already living in poverty will face further devastation". 'Human beings, not statistics' Ms Hammond told the BBC: "The government's narrative is all about getting disabled people back to work but Pip has nothing to do with working, it's a benefit to support the things around our lives."Under the proposed changes, claimants would not qualify for Pip unless they scored a minimum of four points in a single daily living activity. Benefits expert Lee Healey, who has worked with disabled people for more than 30 years, said the proposed system was more likely to drive disabled people into poverty than work. Mr Healey told the BBC: "On the face of it that might not sound a lot, but it's a bit of a sneaky way of cutting support for people."He added the government needed to create working environments that disabled people could thrive in first."The key thing is a culture change. Show compassion, respect, that's going to make a massive difference to disabled people. They are human beings not statistics," he said. 'People's lives and dignity' The government said it believed the changes would end "years of inaction" when it came to one in eight people not currently being in work or also said the number of people receiving Pip had become "unsustainable and has more than doubled since the pandemic".A government spokesperson said: "We are determined to support people in all parts of the country by tackling poverty and creating secure, well-paid jobs."Pip is a part of the way that we support disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. But it's right that we rebalance the system to ensure support is targeted to those who need it most."But the signatories of the campaign believe that proposed cuts will prevent disabled people from contributing to society. Ms Baines said: "It's going to cost us more money in the long run and affect individual people's lives and their dignity."
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Disabled celebrities urge Keir Starmer to scrap ‘inhumane' benefit cuts
More than 100 of the UK's most high-profile disabled people, including Liz Carr, Rosie Jones, Ruth Madeley and Cherylee Houston, have called on the prime minister to abandon 'inhumane and catastrophic plans to cut disability benefits'. In an open letter to Keir Starmer before a planned Commons vote next month, they argue that the government's plan to reduce eligibility to personal independence payment (Pip) and the health component of universal credit is a matter of 'survival' and 'basic human rights'. 'If these plans go ahead, 700,000 families already living in poverty will face further devastation,' they write. 'This is not reform; it is cruelty by policy.' The signatories warn Starmer the changes will 'strip financial support from those who need it most', deepen social exclusion and 'increase disability-related deaths'. Citing the way Pip is linked to a loved one's eligibility for carer's allowance, the letter says thousands of unpaid carers will lose income as well as 'overwhelm local councils', which often rely on disabled people's Pips for social care. 'We have already endured a decade of austerity, disproportionate pandemic losses, and life-costing cuts,' the letter says of disabled people in the UK. 'We, the undersigned, will not stand by while our community is sacrificed for the illusion of savings.' They add: 'For us, Pip is not a benefit – it is access to life.' The government's plans, set out in a green paper earlier this year, would reduce the eligibility criteria for Pip – a non-means tested benefit designed to pay for the extra costs of disability – for an estimated 1 million people. The sickness-related element of universal credit is also set to be cut, with MPs due to vote on that aspect in the autumn. Official figures show 3.2 million people could lose an average of £1,720 a year as a result. Spanning the worlds of television, theatre, literature and the media, the signatories include the Adolescence writer Jack Thorne, the comedian Lee Ridley known as Lost Voice Guy, the actor Lisa Hammond and the broadcaster Sophie Morgan. The letter will be part of a wider campaign launched by disabled celebrities that aims to bring attention to the government's proposed cuts. Using the hashtag #TakingThePIP, the organisers will ask deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people to share their experiences, contact their MPs, and 'take a stand' on social media. Houston, an actor and co-organiser of the letter, said she and others with a platform felt they 'had to do something' to oppose the 'barbaric' policy. 'I've heard so very many heartbreaking stories of the struggles people are facing, even before this latest round of proposed cuts. These cuts will devastate disabled people's lives if they go through. These are lifeline benefits we are talking about, stripping away the ability for disabled people to live their lives. We want the government to listen, withdraw the cuts, and work with us to create a system that supports, not punishes, disabled people.' The letter raises concerns about the government's rhetoric around its proposals titled Get Britain Working. 'Framing welfare cuts as 'incentives' to work implies that disabled people must earn their place in society through productivity – a dangerous narrative. Disabled lives are inherently valuable – whether someone can work or not,' it says. The signatories add that the Access to Work scheme now has a backlog of over six months, preventing many from working, while cutting Pip will make it harder for people to stay in work. The opposition from leading disabled people comes as ministers face a rebellion from backbenchers over the plans, as well as condemnation from charities and unions. The partial U-turn over the winter fuel allowance last week has raised questions over whether other benefit reductions should also be overturned, with Unison urging ministers to 'look again' at cuts facing disabled people as well as pensioners. A government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to support people in all parts of the country by tackling poverty and creating secure, well-paid jobs. 'Pip is a part of the way that we support disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. But with the number of people claiming Pip doubling since the pandemic, it's right that we rebalance the system to ensure support is targeted to those who need it most. 'Alongside this, as part of our plan for change, we've increased the national living wage, uprated benefits, and are helping over 1 million households by introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions.'
