Slow Food UK National Meeting
Our National Meeting was held on Saturday 31st October in the Royal Festival Hall along London's Southbank. Thanks to the Southbank Centre, we were provided with a great space, overlooking The Thames and across to Parliament, in which facilitator Jeffrey Hyman led our Open Space session. Of 57 convivia around the country 51 were represented, which is a fantastic turn-out and we would like to thank all our delegates for taking the time to join us and for contributing to the success of the day.
Read more on the National Meeting in the recently posted Slow Food International news article.
Delegates' feedback from the National Meeting below:
Anglesey, Wales
I approached the day with some trepidation and unease based on what I had experienced at past Slow Food gatherings. I thought the open space format worked well on all levels- fully engaging everyone so we feel part of the onward progress. The addresses by Carlo and Paulo were inspirational. They manage to combine the macro with the infinitesimal. Now it is up to the Slow Food organisation to give us the framework and tools for us to build the convivia. You have given it your collective best shot and we are prepared to do the same. Well done.
Alison
Aylsham
I attended the Convivium Leaders UK meeting and came away inspired and energised from talking and listening to representatives from other Convivia, members of the Board, Carlo and Paolo. Each Convivium is different, but we can all learn from each other and from our approaches to Slow Food in the projects we run in our communities. The whole day was positive and constructive, and we all left feeling confident for the future of Slow Food in the UK, with good dialogue between Convivia, the National office, the Board and International.
Mo
Berkshire and Wiltshire
I just wanted to send a brief note to thank you and to say how much I enjoyed attending the National Meeting on Saturday. Although I did not know what to expect, I found the whole day inspiring especially the Open Space sessions and the opportunity to meet and have stimulating discussions with colleagues from around the country. Thank you for organising this inspiring event and on behalf of all those present. Please also thank Carlo Petrini for travelling so far to support our UK event. Please also congratulate the whole team in the UK National office who must have worked very hard to make the day so successful.
Clare
Berwick Upon Tweed
Thank you to you, Gerry and all the team for an excellent national conference - I look forward to updating the convivium on the day. I'm sure that it generated a lot of useful and practical information for both national campaigns and practical information for the various convivia. I was amazed and inspired by all the projects that are going on - good to see so much work being done to promote the Slow Food message. And of course Carlo and Paolo were great - a real reminder why we all got involved in the first place!
Lisa
Cambridgeshire
Thanks to you and the team for organising a fantastic meeting at the weekend. I am sure the event has left everyone feeling very positive that Slow Food in the UK is moving forward in a sensible and sustainable way and that the required checks and balances are now in place. As a new group leader it was fantastic to hear the enthusiasm of the more established groups to help and support in the initial stages of setting up the group and also to share experiences and ideas with other new leaders. I am greatly reassured by the network of support available through the Slow Food UK office and am sure that this will only increase as the movement grows in the UK.
Christopher
Cardigan, Wales
Lara and I just wanted to send you a note to thank you personally for giving us a path-way to participating in yesterdays meeting. We met you this summer and were inspired by your energy and commitment and stimulated us to re-engage with the Slow Food network. You took a leap of faith in inviting us to the "table" and I hope that we can create in our new convivium a buzz-full and progressive Slow Food community in and around Cardigan. At yesterdays meeting we were initially quite nervous about our role in the discussions but were enormously encouraged and inspired as the day progressed and we met so many people involved in similar and fascinating projects. We had really interesting and fruitful and stimulating conversations with all sorts of people... we now have a huge list of convivium leaders and others that we are going to visit, keep in touch with and perhaps hopefully work with on ideas we discussed. We are looking forward to the possibility of sharing skills and ideas with other groups: wild food in Scotland, wood fired ovens in Lincolnshire, hard to reach groups in Liverpool, Yorkshire and herbs and honey in London. Lara had a special invitation to visit Sheepdrove during harvest of their herb crops. It was also really great to make contact with the Youth Food Movement; we look forward to working with them in the future too. The day gave us a chance to look at what we do in Wales, individually and together, and realise that we are not alone and the Slow Food network is really important to support and progress work at a community level. So, thank you for the opportunity provided by such an accessible and participative forum and we really look forward to going home and telling our friends, colleagues and community about the experience.
Tom and Lara
Carmarthenshire, Wales
As a fairly new member of Slow Food, this was my first taste of Slow Food UK. I am a food producer (free range table poultry) and food marketing adviser and before I came I had concerns about the oft quoted perception that Slow Food in the UK is a middle class dining club. That's not something that interests me. I was lucky enough to visit Terra Madre last year and I suppose I was hoping some of that passion and commitment to making change at the grass roots level would be apparent at this meeting. I was very impressed with the Open Space technique used and while I think we have a long way to go in terms of increasing membership, I was reassured to hear of Slow Food members working with hard to reach communities; wanting to form links with food producers in developing countries and several people who'd come having just formed new convivia. In Wales we have vibrant and innovative food communities and a wealth of projects already going on. I was pleased that working with existing groups is very much on the Slow Food UK agenda. It is great to hear that other new convivia are starting in Wales and it was a great opportunity for us to share ideas. Meeting with the Scottish Convivia members was also really inspiring. In fact we are already talking about some exchange visits. It would be great if we could have an annual gathering of the convivia leaders, perhaps in different venues round the UK. It is so good to share experiences.
Juliet
Cornwall
It was an absolute pleasure for me to represent Cornwall at the Meeting and well worth the trip! The sheer turnout spoke volumes, and your efforts personally in embarking upon road trips and organising the Open space is commendable. The Meeting provided a great platform for me to meet people from various different perspectives, united by a common cause of good eating. To add a cherry on the cake was seeing Carlo, and his gang, in person. I wish to you and your micro team the very best, and feel free to count me in, whatever I can devote as energy to this ever evolving movement, in defense of good, clean and ‘informed’ food.
Sanjay
Cumbria
Now that I am back home, I have spoken with other members of the convivium this morning and they are thrilled with my report. I said it is my belief that our Slow Food community in Cumbria is indeed part of a UK-wide bond. You saw I had a broadcast-standard voice recorder with me. In the event I refrained from using it - because the attention was on the flow of thoughts and it seemed a distraction. However, I see now how hugely valuable it would have been to record those positive vibes flowing through the closing circle. The common belief flowing through the weekend and from the closing circle was that Slow Food UK was now set to prosper and grow as a real united sharing community. That everyone present, from the Neal's Yard team through to each delegate of the fifty convivia represented, were energised and committed with a deeply rooted belief that we were part of a thoroughly exciting project, which will change public perceptions and support a happier more harmonious food chain, locally and globally. My sincerest thanks to all involved in setting up a thoroughly worthwhile weekend.
Mark
Durham Tyne Tees
The meeting was very positive, full of enthusiastic energies for the future, with many recent Converts to Slow Food promising to follow up proposed initiatives and work to introduce them at local level. The day was designed to provide for those attending to choose their own agenda, and every individual was encouraged (several times) to speak if they wished to, either in sub-groups or to the whole large meeting. The meeting was so important too because Carlo and Paolo attended all day and said that they were reassured about the Slow Food movement’s future in the UK by the end of the day. The most impressive for me was the well-above average competencies of every one of our HQ staff, and I congratulate you on your election and recruitment skills. I shall continue to be committed to Slow Food and to hopefully develop a thriving convivium with a 100 members achieved in 2010. Thank you for a very interesting and well-organised day.
David
Dyfi Valley, Wales
A very positive meeting, at which the importance of moving forward was agreed on by the leaders present. Watch this space!
Gareth
Edinburgh
The national meeting on 31 October 2009 in the South Bank Centre in London proved to me that across the country there are members and leaders with a deep belief in the coherence and importance of the Slow Food message, and a deep desire to see it make progress.
Donald
Guernsey
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the meeting on Saturday and how much I got out of it. I thought the way it was structured worked brilliantly – very professionally run and facilitated. Having Carlo Petrini and Paolo di Croce there all day added hugely to the atmosphere. After the two sessions I took part in, I have come away with a much better understanding of what the movement is about, how a convivium can be run, and who is who! I have also come away with much more confidence and information from other more experienced leaders to set up our new group in Guernsey successfully.
Carl
Slow Food International
We are writing to congratulate you all for organizing the meeting on Saturday, for looking after the convivium leaders, and for contributing to the success of the event. So, thanks for all the efforts that you put into the organization, and for working tirelessly!
Silvia & Paolo
Jersey
It was certainly good to peer behind the curtain both literally and metaphorically. Meeting the other members was core to my visit and looking for an exchange of ideas. I needed to find what everyone believed was Slow Food to reinforce my feelings and views so the Open Space was important. Whenever you get a random group of individuals together focused on a single aim, the promotion of Slow Food, it becomes a powerful gathering of like-minded individuals. It reinforced my views and gave me access to new initiatives that I wouldn’t normally encounter. Ultimately the greatest pleasure was rubbing shoulders with passionate people who believe in spreading the word of Slow Food's aims, to educate and provide good, clean, fair food for everyone. It must have taken a lot of responsibility and a lot of organising so well done to all of you. It takes time, energy and commitment.
Rod
Lincolnshire
It was an amazing day and it was such an honour to be there. You have done a tremendous job at steering Slow Food in the UK along a new and exciting path. All the very best and a big thanks to the brilliant team.
Sarah
Liverpool
I think the thing I came away with was how vital it is to have the opportunity to meet and communicate effectively with other convivia. They are the strength of the movement and it is through them the movement will move forward. It was an inspiring day. I woke early with it all buzzing in my head.
Trine
London
Just a note to say thank you for an inspiring day. The London convivium is behind the Trust’s new positive direction and will work with you in partnership all the way through.
Shane
Ludlow
What a positive, energizing day you created yesterday at the Festival Hall....It was wonderful seeing Carlo Petrini supporting you so strongly and members giving you a clear vision of their desire to see Slow Food move from strength to strength. I had not experienced the "Open Space" meeting format, but it worked beautifully with an excellent facilitator to assist the process. I want to congratulate you and your team on providing a platform for members to express their diverse views on the sort of wonderful work they would like to see Slow Food UK undertake. As the afternoon progressed we honed the ideas into a clear vision and mandate for you to help us work towards. Carlo Petrini’s vision will make the world a better place; thank you for being part of the process.
Rosemary
Montgomeryshire, Wales
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the weekend. I look forward to a long bright future for Slow Food UK.
Tanya
Nottingham
We just wanted to say what a fantastic event the SFUK meeting this weekend was for new leaders like ourselves. With all of the good advice shared by some of the more experienced leaders we feel much more confident, motivated and capable of leading a convivium. We picked up tips on how to approach producers, what sort of venues people use for meetings and how people communicate with their groups amongst many other things. We feel like we have gained at least 6 months experience in 2 days – not only will this get us started much quicker but it will also make us much better leaders. We now also have a long list of great contacts to share ideas with and who can support us when we encounter problems.
Colin & Sharon
Oxfordshire
I thought I would share my comments on the National Meeting for the team so please pass my thoughts on to them. I thought the meeting was constructive and positive. People were eager to discuss prospects and opportunities and it showed in the various sessions' outcomes and in the closing comments. It was very inspiring and supportive to have Carlo Petrini at the meeting and the facilitator was experienced and managed to convey all the positive energy people had. Well done!
Tamara
Perth
Just had to write to say how much I enjoyed the weekend. Not only did I enjoy it but I have got so much information and ideas to pass on to the Perth convivium. There are so many things I enjoyed - the first being the diversity of people and their concept of Slow Food - from the Posh Noshers (who have a place within Slow Food, especially if they also have other foodie interests) to the ethical shoppers, the farmers with a conscience and all the other groups. I am particularly interested in ensuring that all the peoples of the world has access to good, clean and fair food and would like to see that side of our work in the UK expanded. I also enjoyed the format of the day - the Open Space was a great idea. Everyone had a chance to voice their opinions but no one was either excluded nor did any one monopolise the discussion groups. I loved the passion that filled the air for the whole of Saturday and people were passionate about so many different things. It was wonderful to see people discussing, listening and contributing. There was a huge buzz - no one dropping in would have believed that this was an organisation that has just emerged from a major upheaval. And we have emerged - the weekend set the seal of approval on the 'new' Slow Food UK. We will now just go from strength to strength. So a million thanks to you and the team for organising it and please start planning for a full weekend next year.
Jeanne
Plymouth
My overriding impression of the day was the total commitment and enthusiasm shown by the overwhelming majority of those attending. It was obvious that Slow Food UK is on track for a great future.
David
Sheffield
Thanks for an exciting and very useful weekend. The National Meeting has given me the inspiration and confidence to really make a success our new convivium in Sheffield. I was able to meet up with others in my area and we intend to have a Yorkshire wide system of mutual support. Coming to have a shared ‘eat-in’ with other leaders and the UK Slow Food team at the perfectly placed new offices in Covent garden on Friday gave me the knowledge and confidence that we will be given as much or as little help as we want with practical and moral support. The democratic way the National Meeting was run and the use of the unusual but highly effective 'open space' system of discussion allowed the members from around the country to set the agenda for Slow Food UK over the next few years. This will make the organisation stronger and more sustainable as it combines grassroots democracy with strong and positive leadership. This seemed to fit perfectly with the ethos put forward by Carlo Petrini that of 'austere anarchy'. His presence over the weekend meant a great deal to everyone there. Slow Food UK now has a great and timely opportunity ahead of it and that is to lead the campaign in communities and at policy level to create a fairer, healthier, eco-friendly and most important of all pleasurable food system in Britain. You clearly have the backing of the international organisation and the UK members. I'm looking forward to being part of that and recruiting many more members.
Leon
West Surrey and the North East Hampshire borders
I write to let you know just how stimulating and inspiring I found the national meeting of Slow Food Convivia leaders on Saturday. As a founding member of our new convivium for West Surrey and the NE Hampshire borders, based at the historic market town of Farnham, it was a privilege to be among such a passionate group of people committed to the vision and principles of the Slow Food Movement here in the UK. I also consider myself most fortunate that, at the beginning of my association with Slow Food UK, I should have had the opportunity to hear Carlo Petrini and Paolo Croce speaking about the SFM. A local Slow Food convivium in Farnham will give the emergent and growing interest in a healthy food culture in my town much needed leadership and direction. The wide horizons of the SF movement will also enrich the scope and understanding of the part food plays in our lives and the importance of cultivating this in an informed way. My thanks to you and your team for all the hard work in making the meeting such a success.
Robert
West Yorkshire
Well done everyone for a fantastic weekend. Thank for all your efforts in organising. I want to help with the work of responding to info shared in the group session on social media so I am pulling together a social media best practice guide for the convivia to help them use Facebook and twitter, which might be of use.
Andrew
Westminster
Great day on Saturday sure you are all very busy with the follow ups! It was really positive. I am so relieved that the one or two negative people kept their thoughts to themselves. Well done.
Lyndon
Worcestershire
As an SF Leader who knows how difficult it is at times to gauge the outcome of individual events, I thought I would write about how I felt the day went. I had gone to the meeting anticipating that the day would be a repetition of well rehearsed arguments of all that was wrong with SF UK. I might even put that thought along the lines that I feared the day would have no positive outcome. So I was pleased that most people were eager to listen to one another not about their grumbles but about how they could make their convivium better. Some of the older (in terms of their membership of SF) talked to me in the breaks of how glad they were not to be having some of the slanging arguments of past AGMs; others talked to me about being relatively new to SF (they were clearly babes in terms of SF politics and history). Both found the meeting inspiring and useful in taking their convivia forward.
Don
Youth Food Movement
It was useful for us to meet with so many convivium leaders at one time. There are already results from the meeting happening with convivia asking for advice on recruiting a Youth Food Movement representative for their convivium which is really encouraging and proactive. It was fantastic to be amongst such positivity and energy. It's great for so many convivia to come together at the annual meeting and to see SFUK getting on with the task of improving the state of food culture in the UK and not just in their respective areas.
Katy and Paul
