Christians flock to Cheltenham for annual Greenbelt Festival

Thousands of Christians are making their way to Cheltenham Racecourse this Friday for a weekend of family-friendly entertainment and inspiration at this year's Greenbelt Festival.

The Christian festival's programme features an impressive line-up of speakers, including theologian, author and documentary maker Robert Beckford, author Sally Vickers, emerging church leader Brian Mclaren, Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander, and head of the Evangelical Alliance Joel Edwards.

Christian Aid will host a discussion with Beckford on his film The Great African Scandal, which includes the story of rice farmers in Ghana and raises issues of trade justice.

Christian Aid will give a taste of the huge challenges that climate change is already creating for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa by transforming fifteen square metres of lush green grass into a plot of sub-Saharan farmland.

The Christian Aid 'garden' will highlight the measures that farmers in the region are taking to stave off drought and floods and to make the most of their land. These include simple soil and water conservation techniques and the use of natural fertilisers, bio pesticides, and planning techniques to grow more crops that can feed the family.

The festival also features a stellar music line-up with performances from Michael Franti and Spearhead, Jose Gonzalez, Fightstar, rising star Beth Rowley, and Seth Lakeman.