Festival Manchester - organisers hope for late rush

Numbers are down for this year’s Festival: Manchester, and organisers are hoping to see a last-minute rush to join the unique social and community event.

Working in partnership with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the festival is hoping to “sign up” 10,000 14-to-25 year olds from 25 to 31 August. But so far the festival has attracted an estimated 2,800 delegates rather than the 4,000 expected at this stage.

Operating in four of the most needy areas of the city, known as the HotZones, the volunteers will be involved in projects to help crime reduction, environmental improvement and community regeneration.

Festival Action teams will work alongside the local residents, weeding gardens, removing rubbish, painting houses, renovating parkland areas, and setting up sports and kids clubs. Each HotZone site will also open up to the public every night to provide music and entertainment from The Tribe, thebandwithnoname, Phatfish, and Matt Redman.

Belfast PANTS all washed out?

A popular Christian event for teenagers in the heart of Belfast is under threat because of a lack of a permanent “home”.

Pretty Awesome Night Time Scene (or PANTS) is next due to take place on 30 August at the St George’s Market, but organisers are concerned that the closure of their current YMCA base puts the event in jeopardy.

A zero tolerance policy on smoking, drinking and any kind of drug abuse has ensured a safe haven for many teenagers since the launch of PANTS two years ago.

Peter Jenkins, youth pastor at Christchurch in the city, said its demise would be disastrous for many: “When kids reach 15 or 16, table tennis at the youth club is no longer enough. They’re into music, dressing up and going out at the weekend. It’s all part of the growing up process.
Unfortunately, the places that offer these attractions also have the potential of doing harm.”

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