Special event could boost Cittaslow project

A special open-air event could be staged in the town centre this May to raise awareness of Llangollen’s bid for Cittaslow status.

This was one of the ideas discussed at the latest meeting of the working group spearheading the bid to gain the accreditation, which could bring major benefits to the area.

Cittaslow grew out of the ‘Slow Food’ movement in Italy to encourage people to use local businesses and delight in local produce.

Now it is a worldwide organisation and is a demonstration that a community is serious about sustainability – economic, social and environmental.

Last year (2012) the town council decided that Cittaslow embodied many of the things that the council was trying to achieve with its Town Plan and decided to set up the working group to aim to become a Cittaslow town.

The group, which meets monthly at the Town Hall, consists of four councillors and representatives from a wide range of community associations. including llanblogger.

At the latest meeting, on March 26, respresentatives of the various disciplines involved in the bid gave a summary of progress made over the past month.

One suggestion which drew unanimous support from members was for a special Cittaslow awareness day to be held, possibly on the Royal Gardens, on a date yet to be arranged in May.

This would feature a display of what Cittaslow and the Slow Food movement is all about and it is envisaged that other local groups, such as Friends of the Earth and the local gardening club will also be represented.

It was also suggested that Llangollen Silver Band could be invited to play and that a face-painter should be on hand to entertain youngsters.

Town clerk Gareth Thomas agreed to do some initial work on the idea, reporting back to the group next month.

Other ways of publicising the Cittaslow bid and its benefits were discussed, including using the noticeboard at the front of the Town Hall in Castle Street for displays and posters being placed in shop windows.

The possibility of involving the UCLAN centre – formerly the Youth Hostel – in Llangollen in the bid initiative was also suggested.

For anyone wishing to get in touch, the working group now has its own dedicated email address, which is slowfoodllangollen@gmail.com     

To find out more about Cittaslow in the UK and worldwide please see www.cittaslow.org.uk