Spring Harvest and Greenbelt announced today (14th March) that the Freestate Weekender 1999 has been postponed.
The decision to postpone is the result of business complications regarding Spring Harvest's 1999 activities. These complications came to light in February since then the partnership (Greenbelt and Spring Harvest) have been trying to find ways to resolve the complications. Unfortunately no viable solution has been found and it is no longer possible for Spring Harvest to sustain involvement in Freestate.
The postponement is a cause of much regret for both organisations and all those involved in Freestate.
Despite the current difficulties the Greenbelt and Spring Harvest partnership remains strong. The feasibility of running Freestate in 2000 is actively being investigated.
Greenbelt is happening, as planned, in its new format from 29 July - 1 August 1999 at Cheltenham Racecourse. The programme will be expanded to include a programme for young people.
A dedicated BMX Bike and Skate Park, a non-alchoholic bar with independent stage and night club and a chill out tent for teenagers will feature as part of Humanic - a young-people-only zone to be located at the heart of Greenbelt 99.
The innovative festival-within-a-festival at Greenbelt 99 is an immediate response to the postponement of Freestate and is set to incorporate the principles of good Christian youth work espoused by Freestate and plant them around the new Greenbelt.
The Humanic zone which will run for the three-and-a half-day duration of the new Greenbelt in Cheltenham at the end of July also includes a weekend long graffiti-art project, bring-your-own-vinyl DJ booth and the widely acclaimed Rolling Magazine Experience Roadshow developed by Greenbelt's Pip Wilson and now used world-wide.
'We've acted quickly to expand the facilities of the new Greenbelt so that young people aiming for Freestate this year will know they will get a brilliant weekend at Greenbelt,' said Greenbelt Festival Manager Andy Thornton. 'It's a blow that Freestate is to be postponed but the upside is that the new Greenbelt will attract thousands of teenagers who might otherwise have visited Freestate. 'We're investing in Greenbelt 99 to make sure that teenagers - as well as twenty-to-forty-something's have a fantastic festival weekend.'
The zone will offer young people's worship as well as input on the Christian faith from relational youth workers. It will also give young people access to some of this year's bigger names in a relaxed setting: helping them to ask their own questions of speakers and performers.
Plans to continue the provision for youth leaders also return to Greenbelt. A venue offering training, support and resources will return. Previously supported by Youthwork Magazine, the denominational youth agencies, FYT and the new Perspectives Magazine, this venue offers professional training and one-to-one support.
One new incentive for this year's festival is a free ticket offer for all group leaders bringing 10 people. Tickets and information are available on 0845 845 0021.
Andy Thornton
Festival Manager
Greenbelt Festivals
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