From Phil Murray:

On behalf of the Cittaslow Linlithgow Steering Group I write to endorse the efforts of LADAS to secure the availability of allotments within Linlithgow.

The availability of allotments will provide the opportunity for allotment holders to focus on the production of locally grown foodstuffs  for their own, and friends’ consumption, with all the associated benefits of knowing precisely where and how the product was grown, the fact that it generated minimal food miles in its journey from ‘gate to plate’, at the same time generating increased awareness, particularly amongst the younger generation of where their food comes from and associated issues of sustainability, as well as helping  promote a healthy lifestyle.

All of these advantages will contribute to the delivery of the overall objectives of the Cittaslow/Slowfood movement, and as such, I have no hesitation in offering my support to LADAS in their campaign to secure provision of appropriate allotment facilities in Linlithgow.

Yours faithfully

Phil Murray

Chair

Cittaslow Linlithgow Steering Group

Cittaslow is a membership organisation that only towns and cities with a population of less than 50,000 people are eligible to join. Individuals can’t join Cittaslow in the way that they can join the Slow Food movement.

Cittaslow provides a set of goals and aspirations for towns and cities based on the following principles -

• Encouraging diversity rather than standardisation.
• Supporting and encouraging local culture and traditions.
• Working for a more sustainable environment.
• Supporting and encouraging local produce and local products.
• Encouraging healthy living especially through children and young people.
• Working with the local community to build these values.

Put together, these principles aim to enhance the quality of life in Cittaslow towns for residents and visitors alike.

Cittaslow is not anti-progress. It aims to intelligently apply cutting edge solutions in communications, transport, hospitality, consumption, commerce and administration to find new ways of improving people’s lives in a sustainable manner.

Every town that applies to join Cittaslow is assessed against over 60 different criteria that are grouped under 6 main headings.

1. Environment policies.
2. Infrastructure policies.
3. Enhancing the quality of the urban fabric.
4. Celebrating and promoting local produce and local products.
5. Hospitality & Community.
6. Communicating awareness and understanding of Cittaslow

To become a member of Cittaslow, a town must demonstrate that it is meets at least half of the 60 criteria and is actively working towards meeting the rest. After becoming a member, Cittaslow towns are re-assessed at regular intervals to ensure that they are continuing to uphold Cittaslow principles and are still working to improve their quality of life.

There are now 7 Cittaslow towns in the UK. We hope Linlithgow will shortly become the 8th.

What is Cittaslow?

Cittaslow (Italian for “slow town”) is a network of over 100 towns worldwide that brings people together to improve the quality of life in their town and to share good ideas, experience and knowledge.

Cittaslow grew out of the Slow Food movement and seeks to raise awareness of the ways in which quality of life can be enhanced by good food; excellent hospitality; the protection and improvement of the environment and the promotion of local producers and traditional production methods.

The original manifesto for Cittaslow states:

“We are looking for towns brought to life by people who make time to enjoy a quality of life; towns blessed with quality public spaces, theatres, shops, cafés, inns, historic buildings and unspoiled landscapes; towns where healthy eating, healthy living and enjoying life are central to the community.”

Put simply, a Cittaslow town is a good place to live and a good place to visit.

Please download the Cittaslow Charter for more information.