AFTER what the organisers say has been a year of working hard to produce a brilliant and safe festival for 2021, it is with huge sadness that The Green Gathering announces the postponement of this year’s event until 2022.
The festival was due to go ahead from 29th July to 1st August at Piercefield Park, just outside Chepstow in the Welsh Borders.
Organisers had been busy behind the scenes, working with the local council and covid consultants to create a festival which would ensure a safe event whilst maintaining the atmosphere and ethos of The Green Gathering. After much research it was clear that a small festival, held in wide open spaces and with measures to reduce the risk of covid transmission, would be possible to run this year.
However with the emergence of the new Delta variant, rising cases and evidence which shows covid-19 is still a long way from being under control, the Welsh Government issued guidance on 1st July which means the festival would be operating under such tight restrictions it would be unrecognisable and ultimately unviable to run.
The Green Gathering will return the first weekend in August next year (exact dates tbc), putting all the energy and planning that was going to infuse the 2021 festival – and some – into a spectacular coming-back-together in 2022.
“This is a heartbreaking decision but one that had to be made”, says Festival Director Em Weirdigan. “Next year The Green Gathering will return with more life than ever, ready to meet the communities which want and need it so badly. We can’t wait to share music and skills and fields with you again.”
The Green Gathering is very much about celebrating the long held tradition of coming together in person, and so will not be replaced with a virtual event on the festival weekend – but organisers will be posting content from their artists, co-ordinators and crew throughout the summer and into the future. Head to the Green Gathering website and social media for playlists, permaculture tips and more (find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube).
Those who had tickets for the 2021 festival will be able to get a refund, roll over their ticket for 2022 or donate the cost to help the festival through this difficult time. They can do this by heading to their Ticketsellers account between 6th July and 16th August 2021.
“We hope you can all stay safe, keep faith and find space to dance outdoors even if it has to be in splendid isolation this summer”, emphasises Em Weirdigan. “Never despair, we shall return.”
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