Cittaslow UK is the national network arm of the international Cittaslow organization. It is constituted as a Community Interest Company with a board of directors comprising representatives of the current member towns, Aylsham in Norfolk, and Llangollen and Mold in North Wales.
Cittaslow (which is Italian for slow town or city) was set up in the 1990s by a group of laid-back Italians who wanted to combat the stresses of modern life. It’s designed to encourage economic, social and environmental sustainability and is an intrinsic part of the cultural trend known as the Slow movement. The foundation of the movement is Slow Food, which promotes local food, traditions and suppliers.
Slow towns aim to slow down the pace of life, design the space for humans (as against traffic), improve the quality of life, care for the environment, promote a healthy lifestyle, and preserve the special nature of local cultures.
As accredited members of the international Cittaslow movement, Cittaslow UK shares these ambitions with 264 Cittaslow towns in 30 countries across the world; all committed to strengthening their communities and keeping their unique identities in the face of global homogenisation.
We meet regularly to discuss ideas, develop joint projects and work with Cittaslow International. Our towns may be diverse, but we share key values. These include strong voluntary and community groups, generous hospitality, supportive businesses, valued heritage and buoyant local produce, producers and suppliers.
Here in the UK, we are dedicated to making our part of the world a healthier, greener, happier and slower place to be.
Come and join us.
Members work together:
- On joint national projects
- To share ideas and best practice both here in the UK and abroad
- With students and academics to explore lifestyle matters
- To manage and verify applications for membership from new candidate towns in the UK, to submit to the Cittaslow International Co–ordinating Committee
- To help to inform Cittaslow International thinking
- To lobby decision makers
- To collectively manage payment of fees to Cittaslow International and make financial decisions
- To attend in person, or virtually, some international meetings
UK NETWORK OF TOWNS
AYLSHAM
Aylsham is a historic market town and civil parish on the River Bure in north Norfolk, England, nearly nine miles north of Norwich.
LLANGOLLEN
Llangollen is a small town and community in Denbighshire, North-East Wales, on the River Dee at the edge of the Berwyn Mountains and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB.
MOLD
Mold is a Welsh town in Flintshire, on the River Alyn set in beautiful countryside to the east of the Clwydian Range of mountains in North East Wales.
LATEST NEWS
Aylsham celebrates its 15th anniversary as a Cittaslow town
Aylsham, the new foodie town
Recipe book a ‘life-changer’ says Foodbank
It’s go for Green Day
