Greenbelt: our team

I’m looking forward to being at Greenbelt as part of Team CUF. I’m especially looking forward to hearing Professor Anthony Reddie, whose reflections on racial justice are inspiring and challenging, and Gordon Brown, who is someone who understands the impact of the Gospel on the need to strive for human flourishing.

I’m looking forward to hearing Tim Farron speak at Greenbelt - I enjoyed his book A Mucky Business, on why Christians should be involved in politics, and how he looked at Scripture and the ideas of the kingdom of God to give Christians the confidence to speak out.

I live in the West Midlands, and what I love about this area are people’s friendliness and their sense of humour. It is an area where people are welcomed and valued, and that has made it vibrant and diverse. I also love the area’s distinctive history: it’s a place that shaped, and was shaped by, the Industrial Revolution. Heavy industry has scarred the area, but people here were and are rightly proud of their immense skills.

It's my second visit to Greenbelt in as many years and I think I'm hooked! Last year I heard Brian Eno speak about his atheism and singing in a gospel choir, and I was still thinking about it weeks later. I’m looking forward to hearing him again, and Sunetra Gupta - such an amazing woman in science and literature. I live in London and as an avid walker I love that I don't need to rely on a car or public transport. It helps me to be more observant and connected to the place.

I first visited Greenbelt in 1985 and I’ve been back a few times since, including to speak and perform. I’m looking forward to hearing Fat and Frantic again - I was at uni with two of them, Jon and Jim. And they are a bit mad: take their song "Last night my wife hoovered my head". But it was a favourite of DJ Simon Mayo. I’m also looking forward to hearing Paul Cookson - a terrific poet, funny and hard hitting and for a while we went to the same church. I I love where I live because it’s a modest, unassuming and friendly place, it’s quiet and you can know loads of people.

The first time I went to Greenbelt I was 17: we lived on marmalade sandwiches and forgot some important bits of the tent poles and used string instead. This year I’m looking forward to hearing Dr Ruth Valerio - I'm passionate about the environment and I have heard her speak before and have some of her books. Where I live, outside Milton Keynes, has a caring feel, there is regeneration and there are so many good initiatives to plug into: a community fridge, a repair café, an urban farm, arts cafes, and I do street gardening for a stretch of about 25 houses in my road to make it a nicer place to be.

As a newbie it’s my first visit and I’m very excited. I’m especially looking forward to hearing the food poverty campaigner Jack Monroe, who I think is brave for all sorts of reasons, and seeing the comedy duo Attenborough and His Animals because, well, who doesn't want to see a whale swim through Greenbelt? What do I love about where I live? Independent shops on the high street and knowing the shop keepers by sight, and having a solid connection to the local school and church.

I’m looking forward to hearing the Grace Notes collective, because they are creative, musical, and bring people together to create community cohesion. I’ll also be heading off to hear the investigative journalists Stefania Maurizi and Ewen MacAskill – freedom of the press is so important. I live in the north-west and what I love about it are the friendly people and supportive communities – we are a City of Sanctuary for refugees – and the many big and small creative initiatives take place that keep the place exciting.

My first festival was in 1982, and I’ve only missed a few since. My wife and I are Greenbelt Angels (regular donors) and usually volunteer at the festival. I’m looking forward to hearing Grace Petrie – I love her meaningful protest songs and blistering wit – and the Indigo Girls; they’re Americana royalty who have been making social comment through great tunes for decades. I love living close to green spaces and countryside, especially walking in the Peaks. It’s also good because it means I’m close to family.

I've been to Greenbelt quite a few times, including with a seven-week old baby. (He took to camping like a pro and slept through the night for the first time - I wish I could say that continued when we got home.) I’m looking forward to hearing Ruth Valerio, the theologian and eco-activist, for a challenging, practical and inspiring take on faith and living sustainably. I’m also looking forward to hearing Folk On, a comedy folk band that always gets the Greenbelt audience singing and dancing. I live in south London and I love the shared green spaces and good transport links, as well as being part of a community group that is welcoming refugees.

This is my first time at Greenbelt and I can't wait. I’m looking forward to two performances: Brian Eno, because his music is immersive and his creative approach pushes the boundaries and inspires me to explore my own artistic vision. Also Wilderthorne, who’ll be performing by candlelight: I am really into meditative spaces and finding about yourself through art and music. I live in north London and I love the unique combination of cultural diversity, strong community spirit, the ongoing regeneration driven by locals, and how dynamic the place is.