THE temperature outside the Union Chapel, Islington, on Wednesday of last week was colder even than some of the August nights endured at the Greenbelt Festival (though not this year).

It was warm inside, however, for the first Greenbelt Christmas event, “From Boughton to Bethlehem”. A crowd of 450 attended a variety show hosted by Harry Baker and Chris Read. Folk On displayed a range of comic Christmas songs; the Revd Kate Bottley revealed all about cold-water swimming; the Union Chapel Singers demonstrated how to fill the cavernous space with sound; Bridget Minamore impressed the audience with thoughtful poetry focused on identity; and there was a singalong at the end in the style of the Greenbelt finale.

The festival’s creative director, Paul Northup, praised the performers and the “amazing crowd. . . For one evening, at least, in this election- and Brexit-overshadowed Advent, we heard the angels singing”

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