Slow down,don't miss this Slow Town
Sedgefield has recently been granted Slow Town status. This completely dovetails into the concept of "conservation without boundaries". It complements the overall vision that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has for the Garden Route National Park which was gazetted in 2009.
Local businessman Andre Gauche came up with the brilliant idea of registering Sedgefield as a Slow Town. We are affiliated to the Cittaslow towns of Italy where the movement started roughly 10 years ago. Sedgefield met the slow movement standards effortlessly and I think it will prove to be a satisfying marketing concept totally suited to this laid back beauty where quality and simplicity triumph over quantity and fads. The town will be able to consciously shape itself to harmonise with its magnificent natural environment. Furthermore, the Cittaslow criteria will nurture enduring values that endeavour to create a quality of life for all.
Find out more about our new Garden Route National Park
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Sedgefield Slowtown Promo Vid from gtG FilmStudio on Vimeo. The Angulate TortoiseThe Angulate tortoise is the one commonly seen in Sedgefield. It is medium sized and the males grow larger than the females. There are 5 claws on the front feet and four on the two back feet. The single gular or chinshield below the head is a unique feature of the South African species. All other species have a pair of widened gular shields. The males are territorial and court females in the Spring. The females lay 2-6 eggs that usually hatch after the first winter rains.
Angulate tortoises are protected by the Nature Conservation Ordinance No. 19 of 1974 ( amended in 2000). Therefore they may not be collected or transported from the place where they are found. It is illegal to pick them up and put them in your car or take them to your garden. Although not considered endangered, local populations may be threatened by land clearing for development or collection for the pet trade. A good many have been drowned in the floods in recent years. Hatchlings are opportunistically caught and impaled on thorns by fiscal shrikes and the Pied Crow population also targets them. Domestic dogs kill tortoises and they get run over by motorists so they face several threats to their survival locally and their defenders are right to be concerned about Sedgefield’s population. They are an appropriate Slow Town symbol for us and that should encourage us to consciously take measures to protect the species whilst letting them remain the wild creatures they are, and free as they’re meant to be. They are common in many gardens and unoccupied plots especially on the Island - a residential suburb of Sedgefield. Sedgefield has a Tortoise Rescue Squad made up of about 30 volunteers. A building contractor can contact one of them, Slow FestivalOur 3rd Slow Town Festival will soon be getting underway! Set aside the days to enjoy the "Slow Glow" of precious laid back fun time with family and friends! Once again set to coincide with the Easter weekend, this year the Slow Festival will last from 5 - 9 April. In its third year there will still be the old favourites and more new events are on the cards. Go to the website here for all the details.
There was a Boulle and Backgammon tournament at Lake Pleasant Living Hotel and a Back to the Future Evening at Pinella Restaurant. There was a Police Working Dog Unit demonstration and a Dog Walk and Talk around the Island followed by a Dog Show. Like last year, there was the Pedal, Paddle, Pant competitions and the Lagoon edge Spinathon. A highlight was the Amazing Creatures and Band Parade through town at 10am on Sunday morning. There was much much more so go to the Slow Festival website for all the details.....including a photography competition with categories emphasing the slow aspects of life.
The Wild Oats Farmers' Market was on as usual and with all the stall owners decked out in Easter bonnets there was a really festive atmosphere. The flower stalls looked particularly stunning! Scarab hosted their Scarab Slow Fest Fiesta from 4pm 'til late where amongst all the other entertainment on offer, you could take an old time carriage ride in a hand built traditional horse carriage pulled by two magnificent and specially trained Boereperde. The carriage also escorted the two runners-up to Miss Slow in Sunday's parade.
Go Here to see more Slow Festival Fotos
Links to other Slow Towns
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