A tribute to Greenbelt volunteer Chris Parker
It is with great sadness that we mark the death of one of our own. Chris Parker died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday 28 January. His death came as a complete shock. (His phone shows he was messaging folk about camping arrangements for this summer at half past midnight that night!)
Chris had been a Greenbelt volunteer for 35 years – serving as part of the Children’s Team, and eventually becoming its team leader. During that time, he played an integral role in helping the festival transition away from its old in loco parentis model of childcare and towards the more integrated approach we enjoy today – where the children’s and family venues and activities see intergenerational participation as part of the wider festival programme. This shift in culture and methodology – for parents, carers and volunteers alike – required great heart and tact and Chris was blessed with both. In spades.
If the word ‘dedicated’ can be attributed to any Greenbelt volunteer, then it surely ran through Chris like a stick of rock. Nothing daunted him or dented his enthusiasm for the task in hand. Not even a triple heart bypass back in our Cheltenham days. Or his leg amputation last year.
He was humble and gracious, bringing his daughter Alice up through the team to the point where he handed over the team leadership to her with no fuss; just pure pride and support for Alice in performing her role. And that brings us to team recruitment more widely. For Chris, Greenbelt volunteering was a family affair.
His wife, Jane, his children AJ and Alice, his sister and his brother-in-law – all were on the Children’s Team. His other son Ben volunteered on the site crew at Cheltenham. If you were in the Parker family, you were involved in Greenbelt. Such was Chris’ infectious enthusiasm. Over the years, Chris played a huge role in building what has become a large and loyal team – almost a community within the wider festival community.
We remember Chris as always being supremely calm – whether managing the queue for a Fischy Music concert in Ta Dah!, coping with wet weather and mud, or looking for a lost child. Nothing seemed to faze him. He was always there, ready to do anything.
Chris was passionate about Greenbelt and, in later years, he was the Event Organiser for the Methodist youth gathering, 3Generate. Meanwhile, back in his own church and community he was always immersed in his youthwork and busy running all sorts of events – and summer camps, too.
All this talk of dedication and work might make you think that Chris was extremely earnest, but he was, in fact, huge fun – and that’s a big part of why so many wanted to volunteer alongside him. His servant heart was matched by the twinkle in his eye..
All who knew him will miss him hugely. As Greenbelt we – and generations of children who’ve come up through the festival – owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Our prayers are with his family – Jane, Alice, AJ and Ben – at this time. We can only imagine what a loss he must be for them.
As the Greenbelt years roll by (52 and counting!) and with such a loyal volunteer community, it is sadly inevitable that we will have to say our goodbyes to some. Others have left us too early already. In paying tribute to Chris here, we remember all who have died and say thank you to God for all they gave and meant to Greenbelt.