holders. The event re-launched as 'The Green Gathering' in 2011 at Piercefield Park, near Chepstow in the Wye Valley where it has run annually since. At the UK Festival Awards 2017, The Green Gathering was presented with the top UK accolade for green events – The Greener Festival Award, for outstanding commitment to reducing its environmental impact and creating positive social impact. Further national and international awards followed in 2018 and 2019. Events The Green Gathering is described by its organisers as being "A festival beyond hedonism - a place to party, then wake up the next morning and put the world to rights with your new mates from the night before." In 2015, an eFestivals Review described The Green Gathering as "An inspiring modern festival with a refreshing old school edge". Many environmental and social justice groups such as Greenpeace, Green and Black Cross (GBC was founded in November 2010 to provide legal support for protests against the government’s wave of massive spending cuts.), Refugee Community Kitchen and Reclaim The Power (Reclaim the Power is a UK based direct action network fighting for social, environmental and economic justice.) have had a presence at the festival. The Gathering has pioneered renewable energy with every Gathering being powered by wind, sun and people. Between 2011 and 2019, Green MEP and economist Molly Scott Cato, Baronness Jenny Jones, Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and Green MP Caroline Lucas shared the bill in the festival's Speakers' Forum with radical activist Ewa Jasiewicz, Guardian journalist Rob Evans, Radical Routes co-operators, anti-GM campaigner Hector Christie and Simon Fairlie, editor of The Land magazine - amongst many others. On the festival site there are several distinct areas including: Permaculture Zone Crafts Area Campaigns Field Low Impact Village Healing Field Ethical Markets Assisted Camping An extensive Kids Area Although The Green Gathering is not primarily a music festival, live music is performed across several small stages and venues. Past performers have included 3 Daft Monkeys, Banco de Gaia, Nik Turner, Martha Tilston, Radical Dance Faction, Seize The Day and Transglobal Underground. References External links Green Gathering official website Music festivals in Wales Music festivals in Somerset Music festivals in Wiltshire Counterculture festivals Chepstow Environmental festivals