On a warm summers night here in Turku (but similarly in Lubeck and Malmo) all is calm, cheerful, busy and friendly. Families are here in large numbers, toddler and babies with parents in prams or pushchairs, older children playing socially or sitting quietly at restaurants with parents. People of every generation are riding old fashioned sit up and beg bicycles on dedicated cycle ways. Groups of teens walking and chatting together, dressed casually with not a sign of stilettos or platform shoes. Everyone is being polite and considerate and exuding a relaxed demeanour. Some groups may be picnicking, others sharing some drinks or sitting at a bar but there is no evidence of drunkeness, shouting, threatening or anti-social behaviour. Streets are clean and rubbish free and no-one is dropping litter. Being part of this gentle promenade was an absolute joy. So why do the parks, gardens and Promenade of Cheltenham not feel like this?
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