A SUFFOLK town could join a "slow" movement.Consideration is being given to entering Woodbridge in an international scheme which encourages people to have more time for each other, their environment and local producers and, as a result, to slow down the pace of life.
A SUFFOLK town could join a "slow" movement.
Consideration is being given to entering Woodbridge in an international scheme which encourages people to have more time for each other, their environment and local producers and, as a result, to slow down the pace of life.
Two Norfolk towns, Diss and Aylesham, have already joined the scheme which was launched in Italy five years ago and is called Cittislow.
The Countryside Agency has selected eastern England as the pilot area for the UK adoption of the scheme.
It encourages local people to improve and promote local services, food and goods, to reduce pollution, boost recycling, create new public spaces and improve tourist facilities.
The development of a cafe-style society in town centres where people have time to sit and talk to each and relax is also encouraged together with the development of local produce markets, a reduction in graffiti and the prmotion of composting.
Dr Marion Wells, Woodbridge town centre co-ordinator, said proposals for Woodbridge to try to achieve Cittislow status would be considered by the Woodbridge Town Centre Management Group later this year.
"It is early days but Woodbridge already embodies many of the Cittislow principles," she said.
"I think all the Cittislow checklists encourage people to take more care of their home town and this caring results in people having more time for each other and things and this, in turn, slows the pace of life down.
"I know in Woodbridge that it can easily take 40 minutes top walk from one end of the Thoroughfare to the other because there are so many people who want to have a chat," Dr Wells added.
Thirty-three towns in Italy, and an increasing number throughout the rest of Europe, have signed up to the Cittislow movement.
A Countryside Agency spokeswoman said it was hoped to encourage a continental atmosphere for town centres where people could just sit, drink tea or coffee and watch the world go by.
"It depends on community involvement and pride in local distinctiveness," she added.
david.green@eadt.co.uk
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