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Holland Trip - July 2009
Posted in Events
By On September 1st 2009

On the invitation of their Mayor, Arnoud Brockenburg, Diss Town Mayor, Jane Trippett-Jones, together with Councillor Tony Palmer, Chairman of the Diss Cittaslow Committee and Dr Jan Hunt, Head teacher of Diss High School visited Midden-Delfland in the Netherlands on July 3^rd 2009.

Diss is a member of the international Cittaslow movement and Midden-Delfland is the first member in the Netherlands. The purpose of the visit was to exchange experiences of Cittaslow, which aims to preserve and enhance the character of market towns, through attention to environment, urban fabric, infrastructure, promotion and support of local producers and hospitality. It was agreed that cooperation on cultural and other projects would be continued. As contacts grow, it may eventually be possible to formalise twinning as other towns and villages in Norfolk and Suffolk are already twinned, which has many benefits for both communities. The European Union has funding available to encourage cross border projects, including twinning.
Midden-Delfand is just across the North Sea, near the Hook of Holland and the Cities of Delft and Rotterdam. Despite its proximity to these built up areas Midden-Delfland is in a protected rural setting with open views similar to Norfolk, complete with windmills. The group travelled by train and ferry from Harwich, where they were met on arrival by the Cittaslow project team. The distance between the two areas as the crow flies, is only 80 miles. 
The first place visited was the Revius College High School which is very modern, and well equipped. During this visit, foundations were laid for future school exchanges. 
The local Mayor then joined the group and took them on a tour by water and a walk through the Midden-Delfland area. Good recreational use is made of their waterways and there are extensive cycle ways.  
At a restored Church now used for Community events, which has a restaurant attached serving local produce, Councillor Trippett-Jones presented their Mayor with an inscribed picture of Diss as a memento of the visit. 
In their Council Chamber, the group were shown an excellent video demonstrating how Cittaslow is being promoted.  Cittaslow is well supported in the area and their objective is to gain more member towns to the national movement. 
Diss was the 3^rd Cittaslow town in the UK to be accepted and there are now 9 members and still more in the pipeline.  Internationally Cittaslow is now spread to over 15 countries including as far as South Korea which is hosting the first International Assembly outside of Europe, in 2010.

 

It is hoped that representatives from Midden-Delfland will be able to visit Diss in return.

 

CITTASLOW INTERNATIONAL ELECTS A STRONG UK VOICE
Posted in Cittaslow
By On August 22nd 2008

Andrea Mearns, Mayor of the Welsh town of Mold and Chair of Cittaslow Mold, has been elected as a Vice-President of the Cittaslow International Co-ordinating Committee at the Cittaslow International Congress, held in the Italian town of Orvieto on 28 June.

 

Andrea, who led the drive to become the first Welsh Cittaslow town, is one of 7 international representatives on the Co-ordinating Committee. Other international representatives come from as far afield as Norway, Poland, Spain and South Korea.

 

The Cittaslow International Congress attracted 92 delegates from 64 Cittaslow member towns in 15 different countries.

 

Andrea said,

 

Cittaslow has grown very quickly as a truly international network of like-minded towns committed to enhancing their quality of life. More and more countries are taking an interest in the ideals and objectives of Cittaslow. For example, a new Portuguese network was welcomed into the Cittaslow family at the Congress.

 

The composition of the new International Co-ordinating Committee reflects the spread of Cittaslow across the world. It will aim to establish closer working links between different towns in different countries to ensure that membership of Cittaslow generates real and tangible benefits for local citizens and visitors alike.

 

I'm honoured to be elected to play a key role in driving Cittaslow forward.

 

Andrea was nominated by Cittaslow UK, whose National Co-ordinator, Jack Coburn of Cittaslow Perth, commented,

 

It is key that the Cittaslow UK works with colleagues in other countries to influence the future direction and priorities of the movement.

 

The election of Andrea to this key position gives the UK a strong voice within the international movement and demonstrates the high regard in which the Cittaslow UK network is held.

 

The Cittaslow International Co-ordinating Committee will meet at least 4 times a year and will agree strategic priorities and policies for the movement including membership criteria and transnational working practices.

 

Ends

 

Issued by Cittaslow Perth on behalf of Cittaslow UK.

New Article- Diss Express: Cittaslow looks forward to an artistic year
Posted in Press
By On August 22nd 2008

We have recently had a new article in the Diss Express

For more details, read here