The Big Green Gathering (BGG) is an annual festival that is normally held every summer in the Mendip Hills between Charterhouse and Compton Martin, Somerset, England, with an environmental focus.

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History

The event grew from the Green Fields area of the Glastonbury Festival. ^[1] And in their turn, the Green Fields at Glastonbury Festival had evolved from an earlier series of Green Gatherings held from the late 1970s until 1983 at two Somerset venues, some being formally associated with the Ecology Party, as the UK Green Party was then named.

The first BGG was held in 1994 at Watchfield, north east of Swindon. ^[2] In 1995, the BGG moved to a site at Lower Pertwood Farm, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Warminster, in Wiltshire, and the event was repeated at that site in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000. The next BGG took place in 2002 at Winchester Farm on the Somerset Levels in Cheddar. In 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007 the BGG was held at Fernhill Farm, a 160 acre (65 hectare) site which can hold up to 20,000 visitors, up on the Mendip Hills. No festival was held in 2008 due to financial problems, but in 2009 the festival was on, and back at Fernhill Farm. However with 36 hours to go the event was cancelled ^[3] following the threat of an injunction by the police and local council.

Events

The BGG is described by its organisers as "for people who care about health, the environment, sustainability, our children's future and life in general. It is a celebration of our natural world and our place within it." Several ecological and anti-war groups such as Greenpeace have a presence at the festival. In 2005 featured former Environment Minister Michael Meacher, Bruce Kent from CND and Tony Juniper from Friends of the Earth.

On the festival site there are several distinct areas including: ^[4]

• AMARE (Alternative Media and Renewable Energy)
• The Village Green
• Healing Field
• ESP (Earth Spirit and Philosophy)
• GAMA (Green Access and Mobility Area)
• Earth Energies & Divinatory Arts
• an extensive Kids Area
• Permaculture Area
• Crafts Area
• Campaigns Field
• Tipi Village
• Green Crafts

Although the BGG is not a music festival, there is extensive live music performed at the festival. Past performers have included 3 Daft Monkeys, Damien Rice, and Banco de Gaia.

References

1. It's my party
2. The big green gathering
3. Big Green Gathering festival cancelled at last minute The Guardian 26 July 2009
4. Areas and Attractions