Aylsham celebrates its 15th anniversary as a Cittaslow town

Cittaslow Aylsham 2020 was launched in our historic market place – and should have kick-started eight months of celebrations to highlight our 15^th year as a Cittaslow town.

Unfortunately, all of our planned activities are currently suspended due to the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.

We are currently liasing with the International Cittaslow Committee who, in recognition of our anniversary, had arranged for a multi-nationality delegation of members to visit Aylsham in November for a celebratory weekend of events. The weekend would also include events to recognise the 15^th anniversary of the Aylsham Slow Food group.

Patrick Prekopp, chairman of both Cittaslow Aylsham and Slow Food Aylsham, says: “Cittaslow aims to promote a better quality of life and we here, in Aylsham, hope to preserve what makes the town special. And it’s a mark of our success that we have been able to sustain that principle over the past 15 years.

“For that, though, we have to thank all the community groups that bring people together and the Town Council for supporting us so generously.

“There is also a fundamental link between Cittaslow and Slow Food which actively promotes good local food, suppliers and retailers and by actively engaging with the community through support of traditional, local markets and artisans.

“Essentially, both groups work together to make the town a greener and happier place to live with a slower pace of life.” 

Aylsham, through Cittaslow, pioneered the plastic bag-free revolution in the UK in 2008 leading the way in trying to change shopping habits. More than 70 businesses joined the scheme. Other environmental initiatives include a regular litter-picking programme, clearing public walkways and cycle routes, and encouraging people to grow their own, expanding their knowledge of seasonality, and local food.

Cittaslow boosts the local economy by sponsoring the monthly farmers’ markets and weekly general markets and, alongside Slow Food, the three-day October Food Festival, which attracts a wide range of interest from near and far. In community terms, it acts as an umbrella organisation to bring other clubs and societies together like Walkers Are Welcome, the WI, U3A, and Aylsham In Bloom, which aspires to bring a sense of pride to the town by use of colourful and seasonal displays

Photos details – Cittaslow Aylsham’s 15^th anniversary launch outside Aylsham Town Hall

(left to right):

Roger Willis, Aylsham Business & Enterprise Forum representative on Cittaslow Aylsham Committee

Pat Prekopp, Chair of Cittaslow Aylsham Committee

Val Shaw, Aylsham Town Councillor

Giles Margarson, Cittaslow Aylsham Committee member and Chair of Aylsham Community Partnership

Jan Kerrison, WI representative, Cittaslow Aylsham Committee

Mo Anderson-Dungar, one of the original promoters of Cittalow Aylsham & Slow Food Aylsham Committee member

Karen Vincent, Chair of Broadland Council

Mary Evans, Aylsham Town Councillor

Lloyd Mills, Chair of Aylsham Town Council