All Things Considered

Cittaslow
Posted by Kate Sullivan

In 2004 Aylsham was accepted as a ‘Slow Town’ – a phrase that conjures up visions of a sleepy backwater living in the past. As life becomes increasingly hectic, the fabric that affects our very existence is taken for granted, from environmental planning to pollution or food to architecture, all of which influence our well being.

We should all make time for the environment in which we live so that communities can thrive. In essence, this is what ‘Cittaslow’ (Italian for ‘Slow City’) it all about.

Cittaslow, also known as The Slow Movement, started in Italy in 1999 and has since assigned 70 Italian cities with the label, as well as many further towns around the world. The concept behind Cittaslow is to celebrate a town, which its community cares about its environment. Communities work together to improve certain issues and value existing qualities.

In the UK we currently have 4 towns under the Cittaslow network and for us lucky Norfolk folk, 2 of those towns are in this county, Diss and Aylsham (home to our gallery St Jude's). The other towns accepted into the Cittaslow movement are Mold in Wales and Ludlow in Shropshire, which for many years has been famous for its food markets, including the acclaimed annual Food Festival, and the excellent range of independently run shops.

I have been visiting Aylsham for over 30 years and I can honestly say it’s not changed in many ways at all. The same choice of greengrocers and traditional butchers are still there, the no-fuss Deli, the old fashioned sweet shop and barbers still serve the local community as well as the weekly auctions, markets and the excellent monthly Farmers Market held on the first Saturday of each month.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on April 22nd, 2007