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spread the green message at leeds and reading
help stop climate chaos
idiots burning tents

Idiots burning tents after Leeds 2006.
Photo: Henry Odbert

...and enjoy the festival for free!

CHEQUES DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 17 AUGUST

Leeds and Reading festivals are looking to recruit up to 280 "green messengers" to work in the festival campsites. The volunteers will talk to festival goers about the I-count campaign and encourage people to think about the environment when they pack up their tents.

Mean Fiddler - the organisation behind Leeds and Reading - is keen to alert festival goers to the environmental impact of burning tents and possessions instead of taking them home or donating them.

The organisation Global Hand is working in association with Mean Fiddler at both events to collect any tents and possessions that are left behind and then re-use them in disaster relief. The green messengers will work with Global Hand on the Monday and Tuesday to help recycle the tents.

how to apply

To apply, you must be over 18 and available to work from Wednesday 22 to Tuesday 28 August. You'll do a total of 24 hours in shifts during Wednesday, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday - so from Friday to Sunday you'll be completely free to enjoy the festival.

You must be proactive and dynamic, and happy to talk to people and spread the stop climate chaos message.

You will need to pay a deposit by cheque of £145 which will be reimbursed once you have completed your shifts.

If you have already bought a ticket for Reading or Leeds, you can still apply. Please email below for details on what you will need to do to complete your application.

To apply, email Ekay@meanfiddler.co.uk with
Attendee name
Date of birth
Address
Mobile number
NI number
Email address
Next of kin phone number

Also include what event you wish to work on (Reading or Leeds)

When you complete your application please write the attendee name, NI number, state OXFAM DEPOSIT and festival you wish to work on at the back of the cheque, so we know who you are and there is no confusion

Make deposit cheques for £145 payable to Reading Festival Ltd - this money will be reimbursed after you have successfully completed your shifts. 17 AUGUST 2007 is the cut off date for receipt of cheques if interested.

Accommodation will be camping so make sure you pack your tent and all other relevant equipment.

your say
What do you think about what you've just read? Have your say.
Comment by dave pearce from london, UK ''Just wanted to say a big thanks to all green messengers at reading you were all brilliant and a great help! thanks again''
dave pearce from london, UK - 29 Aug 2007
Comment by Helen Craig from Leeds, UK ''I've just created a facebook group for all us green messengers who are going to leeds for FREEEEE! woo. and spreading the word and all that!''
Helen Craig from Leeds, UK - 20 Aug 2007
Comment by Unknown Author from chester, UK ''who is doing leeds?''
Unknown Author from chester, UK - 16 Aug 2007
Comment by Leah Simone from blackpool/chester, UK ''hey messengers, i will be on my own so glad to see i wont be the only one! what bands are you all looking forward to seeing?''
Leah Simone from blackpool/chester, UK - 15 Aug 2007
Comment by Katie Byram from Sunderland / Huddersfield / Wakefield, UK ''Hey, i'm doing this alone too at leeds festival! my friends all got tickets and the website kept crashing on me so i'm going this way instead and i'm really excited esp. cus its for such a gud cause!''
Katie Byram from Sunderland / Huddersfield / Wakefield, UK - 11 Aug 2007
Comment by Robert Parkinson from Lancashire, UK ''alright its my first time doign this and im on my own!!! also i got told i would be workign on wed thur, monday and tuesday, not SUNDAY!!!!! anybody done this before? it fun and friendly?''
Robert Parkinson from Lancashire, UK - 10 Aug 2007
Comment by Dee N from Hull, UK ''I'm doing it on my own too. my friends got Leeds tickets while I was travelling, they sold out by the time I even thought about it. Reckon being a messenger will only add to the fun.''
Dee N from Hull, UK - 08 Aug 2007
Comment by Andy Gibson from Glasgow, UK ''Don't worry Sam May from Bournemouth, i am doing it on my own and reckon it will be a great laugh. I've volunteered with CND at Glastonbury and the Workers Beer Tent at Gig on the Green in Glasgow, it is magic fun and you feel you've done something worthwhile.''
Andy Gibson from Glasgow, UK - 02 Aug 2007
Comment by Generation Why from Oxford, UK ''Hi there everyone - just a quick message - does anyone want to take some pics and write a review of their green messenger experiences for Generation Why? It would be great to see how it all went.''
Generation Why from Oxford, UK - 02 Aug 2007
Comment by Andi Hampton from Cheltenham, UK ''I can't wait to do this! Sent my cheque off and got a confirmation a while back so see you all there fellow messengers! If needs be lets form human shield around tents. Who else is with me? haha Andi. x''
Andi Hampton from Cheltenham, UK - 30 Jul 2007
Comment by tom smith from hull, UK ''im doing this on my own too. was getting worried i wouldnt be at leeds fest but this came up last minute. awesome cause, great deal. sent my cheque off last week. havent heard back yet but i reckon theyre gonna be busy. anyone know if we have to camp in a seperate area???''
tom smith from hull, UK - 30 Jul 2007
Comment by Rosie Gosling from shrewsbury, UK ''Is there a cut off date for applications if you're not sending a cheque because you've already brought a festival ticket?''
Rosie Gosling from shrewsbury, UK - 10 Jul 2007
Comment by claire hallows from chichester, UK ''is there a separate camp site for volunteers?''
claire hallows from chichester, UK - 04 Jul 2007
Comment by sam may from bournemouth, UK ''i got an email yesterday so im sending my cheque today. no-one else will do it with me though! is anyone else doing it on their own?! email me on th3startingline@hotmail.com if you are xx''
sam may from bournemouth, UK - 03 Jul 2007
Comment by GENERATION WHY from OXFORD, UK ''MESSAGE TO EVERYONE FROM GENERATION WHY: First of all, really sorry that you're having problems with this. As we've said, this scheme is run by Mean Fiddler, and we're promoting it for them. We've just found out that a new person is taking this forward for them and you can contact them at Ekay@meanfiddler.co.uk. They are also running through a backlog of e-mails - if you e-mailed the old address, you wil be replied to in a couple of days.''
GENERATION WHY from OXFORD, UK - 02 Jul 2007
Comment by Jocelyn Harvey from blackburn, UK ''So if we dont hear back do we just send the cheque and turn up?? what does everyone else say?''
Jocelyn Harvey from blackburn, UK - 30 Jun 2007
Comment by Helen Beal from Reading, UK ''im well confused about this cheque milarcky! do u send it wen u send ure first email or when they contact you? does anyone know?!''
Helen Beal from Reading, UK - 28 Jun 2007
Comment by sophie blinstrub from Reading, UK ''hi so I have sent an email with all my info on, now I just send my cheque and turn up? was a bit put off by others comments about not getting email replies.oh well only one way to find out!''
sophie blinstrub from Reading, UK - 27 Jun 2007
Comment by sophie blinstrub from reading, UK ''um, where do i post the cheque to?''
sophie blinstrub from reading, UK - 27 Jun 2007
Comment by Bridget Barber from leeds, UK ''I've emailed the above email address and still not had a reply almost a week later. i don't want to send a cheque in until i've heard that i'm definitely one of the 'green messengers'.''
Bridget Barber from leeds, UK - 23 Jun 2007
Comment by Melanie  Green from Leeds, UK ''As I can see, not many paople have had responses once they've applied. Me and my friend would love to do this. Is there any other means of contact?''
Melanie Green from Leeds, UK - 15 Jun 2007
Comment by Jade Williams from Cardiff, UK ''I have applied by email, where do i need to send the cheque?''
Jade Williams from Cardiff, UK - 14 Jun 2007
Comment by Kate Ward-Edwards from Plymouth, UK ''Where is the address to send the cheque off to?''
Kate Ward-Edwards from Plymouth, UK - 13 Jun 2007
Comment by Ben Holliss from Oxford, UK ''This is a brilliant idea! The past few years at Reading on the Monday morning have been horrible, and quite dangerous too with all the exploding gas canisters etc. Great work whoever is behind this initiative!''
Ben Holliss from Oxford, UK - 12 Jun 2007
Comment by Kate Ward-Edwards from Plymouth, UK ''So I gave over my details in an email yesterday and have not heard a thing. Where do I fill in the application form, is it sent through an email response? A reply to the emails sent would be good, some form of acknowledgement.''
Kate Ward-Edwards from Plymouth, UK - 12 Jun 2007
Comment by kate ash from paignton, UK ''hi, do we apply and send off the cheque at the same time? or do we have to wait for a response from the email?''
kate ash from paignton, UK - 11 Jun 2007
Comment by christopher altree from barrow, UK ''hello i've had no reply i'm worried about my information being used for any thing else. a simple yes or no would be nice as well to let you know if they want you for a green messenger :(''
christopher altree from barrow, UK - 11 Jun 2007
Comment by cat robertson from scotland, UK ''just wondering if the cheque is still to be made payable to reading festival ltd even if it is leeds festival that you are applying for?''
cat robertson from scotland, UK - 01 Jun 2007
Comment by K T from Guildford, UK ''well, you go to a festival to have fun - this is clearly for working and having fun at the same time which is completely fair.''
K T from Guildford, UK - 29 May 2007
Comment by Agnieszka Pyla from Krakow, Poland ''Well, this is just great, but can people from outside UK (and not from an english-speaking country) join, too? or is it just for you lucky ones ;) ?''
Agnieszka Pyla from Krakow, Poland - 29 May 2007
Comment by Martha Sanchez from London, UK ''I would love to help but paying £145 puts me right off!''
Martha Sanchez from London, UK - 25 May 2007
Comment by Shaksita Desai from Luton, UK ''I'd love to help but where is a 15 year old going to get that sort of money?''
Shaksita Desai from Luton, UK - 25 May 2007
Comment by George Child from Leeds, UK ''If you were to not be over indulgent while working at the festival, what would a guidline daily cost of eating and drinking at the festival's workers cafe/festival supermarket be?''
George Child from Leeds, UK - 24 May 2007
Comment by Anna Warren from Warrington, UK ''I'm well up for doing this. Is the email address still working? Only I haven't had a reply yet.''
Anna Warren from Warrington, UK - 23 May 2007
Comment by Miko Tatsuya from london, UK ''Super idea... free tickets for those who can help. Sadly I can't take any days off during that period as I have taken all my holidays''
Miko Tatsuya from london, UK - 23 May 2007
Comment by Generation Why from Oxford, UK ''Hi Catherine - just so you know, the green messengers are totally separate from the festival campaigners, and are organised by Mean Fiddler rather than Oxfam - so you don't need to complete the festival application form. Just follow the application details on this page.''
Generation Why from Oxford, UK - 21 May 2007
Comment by Catherine McNally from Pembroke, UK ''Hi! In applying for green messenger placements, do we have to complete the festival application form?''
Catherine McNally from Pembroke, UK - 19 May 2007
Comment by Generation Why from Oxford, UK ''There isn't an upper age limit on this, you just have to be over 18. They ask for date of birth for ID and security purposes, and to check you're over 18.''
Generation Why from Oxford, UK - 14 May 2007
Comment by Gill . from Reading, UK ''I'd love to do this but why do you ask for date of birth - isn't that ageism? lots of older people also 1. enjoy festivals and 2. want to campaign''
Gill . from Reading, UK - 12 May 2007
Comment by ieisha mcclain from bagshot, UK ''NO PROBLEM i can do this. But why should i pay? I would do this at no charge - charity is non profit remember.''
ieisha mcclain from bagshot, UK - 11 May 2007
Comment by Generation Why from Oxford, UK ''Hey everyone - thanks for your comments. The deposit to Mean Fiddler is just to make sure everyone does their shifts. You get the money back (so noone is making any money through this at all). We think it's a great idea! If you can, see if you can borrow the money - safe in the knowledge that you'll be able to pay it back as soon as the festival's over.''
Generation Why from Oxford, UK - 11 May 2007
Comment by Rosie Olley from Liverpool, UK ''i think it'l be ace - but when will we know if we've got a place?''
Rosie Olley from Liverpool, UK - 11 May 2007
Comment by Roma Bloomfield from Luton, UK ''i never knew you could do this stuff! it's a fantastic idea. sadly tho i don't have any money but this time next year i will be in :-)''
Roma Bloomfield from Luton, UK - 10 May 2007
Comment by mel paddick from e'bourne, UK ''i'd love to do this :D if only i wasn't completely broke! will save up for next year!''
mel paddick from e'bourne, UK - 09 May 2007
Comment by sarah cole from godshill, UK ''join the club! im broke 2! but im well in2 that n mite sit outside the front g8 n tell people about global warmin n e way haha''
sarah cole from godshill, UK - 09 May 2007
Comment by Yasmin Wright from Colchester, UK ''I'd love to do this next year! But i won't be 18 until the end of Reading :-O! sucks.''
Yasmin Wright from Colchester, UK - 09 May 2007

last year...
Reading 2006

Carling Reading 2006

Leeds 2006

Carling Leeds 2006

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