Any other Mumsnet Greenbelters?

[ChuggaChuggaChooChoo]

I'm sure there must be an overlap between greenbelt-festival-goers and mumsnet people. We could just have a thread to share tips and ooh-go-and-see-this moments. We could even try to arrange a meetup if we're not all too busy festivalling.

If you were at the Peterson Toscano thing earlier and were constantly disturbed by someone trying unsuccessfully to keep their overtired 3-year-old quiet - sorry, that was me. But the performance was marvellous.

Do you let the kids stay up latelatelate or keep normal routine? Do you expect them to come along to grownup things and keep quiet or do you stick to child-friendly things?

I couldn't find this post the other day and started a new one 😂

I'm volunteering this year - not got my shifts yet but have been through the App to highlight lots of things I'd quite like to see so should get to some of it!
I'm mostly looking forward to seeing the people I only see once a year at Greenbelt though - that's always the best bit.
That and the Glitter Ball ✨️

I'm slightly heartbroken that I'm not coming this year. But I hope you all have the best time

I'm sorry to hear that - I hope you'll be able to come again in future.
We've had to miss it occasionally and it's never quite the same without GB closing off the summer holidays.
I tbink they are livestreaming some of it this year if that is any consolation.

I'm planning on coming next year. Just no wiggle room at all in the finances at the moment. We only returned in 2022, having not been since the first year in Kettering. I didn't realise how much we'd missed it.

Yes, some of it will be live streamed so I'll "be" at Sunday morning communion if nothing else.

I'm glad you'll be back before too long. I'm volunteering this year as money is tight this year - but that's an option for me now I'm not juggling children with me I just couldn't have done it before now.

I'm coming!

Glad you'll be with us in spirit on Sunday @imnotwhoyouthinkiam

Do we have enthusiasm for a mumsnet meetup?

That was my plan too. But all the volunteer stuff said you have to be there a day earlier, so I wouldn't be able to get a lift with anyone. The train costs about as much as a ticket so wouldn't really save anything! The teens presumably would have to come the day after me, which made logistics of the tent hard.
It probably is possible, but I didn't have the mental capacity to work it out.

I am going on Weds but I know our venue will train anyone who can't get there Weds on the thursday instead - but when DS volunteered a few years ago - we just got him there first thing on the day the festival opened to make the last few training slots. That was when volunteers came Thursday and the festival started Friday evening. We got there first thing Friday AM and were allowed on as we had a volunteer in the car!

You can take your extras on site with you if you are vvolunteering as well. You just have to register that you are bringing them and they have to stay in the campsite area. They are pretty flexible if you are wanting to consider it next year.

Thanks. That's all really useful to know for next year. Is there a separate volunteer camping area or did I imagine that? Can my non volunteers camp in that area too?

We're not going this year either and I have to admit that I am not sure I am that bothered which is sad.

We are just returning home from a lovely 2 week holiday in france - the first time we have had a proper holiday in ages. I never feel rested after GB. I always feel bloody knackered.

In addition because we live in guernsey if costs is a fortune to get there. You can easily add on an extra grand for boat travel and overnight accommodation the night before - and that's before we have booked GB tix and paid out for food etc. It's just not sustainable every year for us.

I miss people.
The line up is always a bit meh for me.

I used to go to Greenbelt every year. My last one was the last time at Cheltenham (the mud 😳) I remember standing in mud up past my ankles listening to Frank Skinner in the big top! I loved having a clean toilet to use and hot water to wash hands. When it moved I didn’t fancy being in a field with so many people wanting to use the Portaloo’s with no hand washing facilities, just hand gel, especially if it rained as much as the previous year. Sleeping in mud doesn’t do it for me 😂
Hope all who are going have a great time. ☀️

Yeah I was quite stressed about losing the loos moving to the new site. Didn't help that the first few years there were very wet - but other than 2022 when the toilets were a different type and not very effective - I've mostly got used to the portaloos now! The site is much smaller than Cheltenham so it's easier to get round and it's very beautiful.

Yeah that's expensive and it's definitely not relaxing! I'm always exhausted afterwards.
I know a few people who take a break occasionally and enjoy it more when they then go back - or they go when there's someone they particularly want to see.
Looks like this will be a good year to miss as it's forecast to be rather rainy and some strong winds!!

Yes there's volunteers camping and I'm not sure of the rules! We camp in general camping as we're a mixed bunch.

Volunteers generally arrive at least a day before or maybe a week before the festival depending on what their role is. Some choose to pitch in general camping areas and obviously get the pick of the best spots. If a volunteer is wanting to camp with non-volunteers there's a judgement call to be made but generally the individual volunteers can make the judgement call for themselves. A family with 2 volunteers and 2 non-volunteers all sharing a tent - obviously fine to be in volunteer area. A group of friends in small tents where 75% of them are volunteering and 25% aren't but they are all together socially - obviously fine to be in volunteer area. A big group of 24 people distributed around 5 big tents in a circle with a central gazebo, where one individual is a volunteer - would be a bit cheeky to have everyone in the volunteer area.

Helpful - we're just trying to work that one out. One volunteer teen already there - we (volunteers) arrive tomorrow. One non-volunteer child with us and our non-volunteer older auntie. Looks like volunteer camping might be fine - one tent one pup tent, 50pc of us volunteers.

Anyone in for Greenbelt 2025? The lineup is out.

I’m returning as a volunteer for the third year in a row.

In previous years we discussed an MN GB meetup but the meetup never materialised (unless you had one and did not invite me).

Maybe 2025 could be the year.

Yep! Excited for Beth Rowling and Kate Rusby - and politics mad daughter thrilled about Jeremy Corbyn. We're volunteering again, as is older DD. Maybe this is the year for a meet-up!

I think the lineup looks good this year. From the politics angle I would manage expectation on Corbyn as I have met him in person twice and felt disappointed…politics aside I am excited about Beans on Toast (band); Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin (undoubtedly promoting her book); maybe Jane Manfredi (mixed feelings); Marilynne Robinson (I will be the envy of my home group) and that’s just the ones I’ve heard of.

Let’s see if there are any more takers for a meetup!

I don't think I'm going this year. I have a DC getting GCSE results on the Thursday and needing to register for 6th form on the Friday and I can't get my head around juggling that with camping. I was really interested to see Liz Carr is speaking though.

Good luck @ChuggaChuggaChooChoo for your DC’s GCSE exams and the results! Hopefully all goes smoothly.