Luton Life Spring/Summer 2023

GYM, SWIM AND GROUP FITNESS FOR

ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

 Great Value Memberships

 No Contract

 Pay As You Go

 Student, Senior & Junior Rates

 Fantastic Facilities

Welcome to Luton Life

Your community magazine packed with features on all things Luton from the past, present and future.

It seemed like it was never going to happen but, finally the sun is out and summer is just around the corner. It’s been a long, hard winter for lots of us but now it’s the time to enjoy some of the new changes around the town, such as the new town centre pocket park Hat Gardens, many of which are highlighted in this issue. Yes, our famous flamingos have come home!

Luton-born film composer and musician David Arnold was in town to help celebrate the launch of the new DART airport shuttle. Luton Life caught up with the Grammy Awardwinning artist, and you can read his rare interview on pages 4 and 5.

We then feature Revoluton Arts, an organisation which is trying to guide young creatives at a somewhat earlier stage of their careers than David. That’s on page 9.

Local beekeeper Colin Hall gives us an insight into his honey-drenched world on page 12, then on page 13 we have a fascinating article on Edible High Town, a volunteer group which is turning the town’s wastelands into walk-in larders. There’s a five-page What’s On guide to all the spring and summer events we could lay our hands on.

Then our regular Easy Being Green pages give you yet even more tips on recycling (you can never have too many!) plus more ideas on how to make your money go further.

We hope we’ve provided something for everyone within these pages. But if there are any more hidden gems you’d like to tell us about, or super ideas for future issues, we would LOVE to hear from you. Drop us a line lutonlife@luton.gov.uk

Bye for now then, take care of each other. We are one town, one Luton.

The Luton Life Team

In pictures

Have you taken any pictures that you think deserve a spot on our In pictures section? Email them to lutonlife@luton.gov.uk

If you would like to advertise in Luton Life please email marketing@luton.gov.uk

If you have a complaint or comment about any editorial content which appears in these pages, please call 01582 547402 or email lutonlife@luton.gov.uk

Advertising disclaimer

Advertisements appearing in this publication are accepted in good faith by Luton Council which accepts no responsibility for the accuracy thereof, nor does the inclusion of any advertisement imply any recommendation by Luton Council, as to the services, products or facilities offered by the advertisers.

David Arnold

Next time you engage in a bit of light wrestling with a stranger over a reduced yoghurt down at your local supermarket, you may want to check out who you’re dealing with. You may just be having a bargain shelf brawl with Luton’s most inconspicuous superstar.

The town’s multi-award winning composer and musician, David Arnold, is rarely seen. Yet he’s often heard. So it was quite a coup when he agreed to attend the recent launch celebration of Luton Rising’s new DART shuttle service, which connects the airport terminal with Luton Parkway station.

After grinding out a living doing temping jobs before getting his breakthrough on fellow Lutonian Danny Cannon’s directorial film debut, The Young Americans, David went on to score blockbuster movies such as Stargate, Independence Day and no less than five James Bond pictures.

“I’m happy that I can go into Sainsbury’s on a Sunday night and get the yellowstickered stuff, get a bargain and it’s not going to be in the papers,” said David.

“People know what I’ve done but they don’t know who I am. At the DART event, everyone knew Mick Harford because he’s a face. You saw him doing what he was doing on the pitch. You don’t see me. A film can come out on a Friday night and 80 million can people watch it – but I’m at home making a cup of tea.

“I like to be able to do ordinary things. We could walk around this town all day and no-one would know who I was.”

Yet David’s body of work extends even far beyond the razzle of

Tinseltown. He has also recorded hit singles and albums with the likes of Iggy Pop, Bjork and Pulp, and was appointed musical director for the closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Then throw the huge television series successes of Little Britain and Sherlock into the mix, then you do genuinely wonder how David isn’t mobbed by adoring fans every time he leaves his house.

“The celebrity aspect doesn’t come into it. We are on the wrong side of the camera for that. You could be on the DART sitting opposite the five most successful film composers ever, and you wouldn’t recognise them.

“Whether it’s a student film or James Bond, the job is exactly the same. I’m sitting in a dark room, in front of a screen, looking at a film and trying to find a musical answer to the question that it’s asking you.”

talks to Geoff Knox

David and the Luton Youth Funk Orchestra, and inset, former Mayor of Luton Sameera Saleem and Mick Harford.

Born at his parents’ Waller Avenue house in 1962, David vividly –and gratefully - remembers the teachers who inspired him to go on to greater things.

“My formative years were at Beechwood Primary and Junior School, then later on at Challney High School for Boys.

“So I remember summers at Bath Road swimming pool, the fireworks at Wardown Park, Saturday morning cinema - the same things that everyone did

“The teacher at my primary school, Mr Kerridge, had such a gentle, kind enthusiasm for music and for people, it made you feel safe. I used to look forward to his lessons. Then Colin Smith [at Challney] – I’ve never seen a teacher as enthusiastic about music as him. When you see that as a kid, it’s incredibly inspiring. I figured that there must’ve been some mystery that he’s discovered about music that made him feel that happy, and I really wanted to understand what that was.

“I remember the first time I played in the school band, I was enthralled by the sound and you can’t quite believe that you’re part of it. There’s an energy that happens between an audience and a performer. It’s inspirational, it’s elemental.

“Then, when I was at Luton Sixth Form College, my form and art tutor, Alan Hall, completely changed the way I thought about creative work. He took the artistic part of what I did seriously. It was all about expression and digging deep inside yourself to figure out what you want to say. He encouraged me to be a free thinker, and forget the rules and expectations.

“This was a cumulative experience that reminds me of how important teachers are as people.”

Yet David still had a long way to go on his journey before achieving worldwide success. Years of honing his raw talents followed, but were punctuated by the inconvenient need to earn enough shillings to survive.

“I was 31 before I made any money out of music. I was doing all sorts of other temping jobs, like working on building sites, unloading bags of cement, moving piles of bricks.

“I actually worked on one of the buildings at Luton Airport. They’d dug a new lift shaft and it had flooded, so was full of wet sand. They didn’t have a pump so I had a pair of wellies and, for three days, I shovelled wet sand over my head. I looked like a human statue by the end of it!

“What I do now is still not a job. I make a living out of it but it doesn’t feel like a job. I feel compelled to do it. If I didn’t get paid to do music, I’d still be doing it.”

Luton was a very different town in the early 1980s, yet the arrival of the now iconic arts centre at 33 Guildford Street became a focal point for local musicians and performers to network their talents for the greater good.

“There was kind of a series of fortunate events. I met Danny [Cannon] there, who wanted to be a film maker. I was 19, he was 16. Then ten years later he gets a feature film off the ground. That’s a long time in between, and you learn a lot in that

time. If I hadn’t have met Danny, at this little arts centre in Luton, I would never have had my first feature film, then never had someone in America hear that and offer me Stargate, then Independence Day, and then James Bond.”

David is a big supporter of Care International, a non-governmental organisation fighting poverty and for equality in over 100 countries.

“Care International is principally involved with women’s rights and children. They have a very low overhead so the highest amount of your donation will go to ground, rather than staffing.

“They send experts out to places like Rwanda who engage with local people and teach them the skills they need to get out of the situations they’re in.”

www.careinternational.org.uk

Grammy Award, composer

Independence Day

Ivor Novello Award, composer

The World Is Not Enough

BBC Radio Awards, music production

The Sound of Cinema with David Arnold

Emmy Award, composer Sherlock: His Last Vow

years of supporting our community

Life-changing support for people with brain injuries.

Headway Luton is one of the hundreds of community organisations to which Luton Rising has contributed around £180m in total over the last 25 years. Headway supports around 250 people who have an acquired brain injury, providing a wide range of quality care and personal support so they can live their fullest lives.

A Celebration of Community in 25 Objects

MADE IN LUTON#2

The next generation of Luton’s creative talent are in good hands, thanks to a people-powered community interest company called Revoluton Arts. Having secured funding from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator Program to commission four local artists, the Luton-based collective can now look towards new horizons in developing young people’s skills and realising their ambitions.

“Young people have absolutely been at the heart of Revoluton Arts since its inception. We have been running since 2015 as an Arts Council-funded project. We were incorporated as a community interest company in 2020,” explained Lindsey Pugh, Revoluton Arts’ CEO and Creative Director.

“We were put forward to Bloomberg Philanthropies. Now we’re one of the 100 organisations in the UK and USA being supported by them.

“Our first project outside of our Arts Council work, which is very community-focused, is actually a piece of youth theatre. So we’re expanding what we do. We are a young town. We are very much about giving young people opportunities to take part, learn

skills, have fun and look at potential professional pathways into the creative industries.”

One of the four beneficiaries is Sonia Chowdury (pictured above), 25, an aspiring filmmaker who has already made some ripples in the pond with a short film, Gangs of Luton.

“Revoluton are the best for the young and creative in Luton. When I was 18 there was this thing called the Monologue Slam. In Luton, Revoluton Arts facilitated it, which was the first time I’d heard of them. There was a junior heat round and I actually won. I then started an indie film group called Hidden Tiger Films. Then one of my film crew said, ‘why don’t you apply for a commission?’” said Sonia.

“The fact that they had

capability to take on four creative people from Luton was amazing. They have dancing, acting, open mike nights and producer hubs. I used to think that things like this only existed in London.”

Sonia is focusing her commission on producing a Netflix-style documentary about the town, while hopefully giving a leg-up to others who want to get into the mix.

“I prefer to be behind the camera now. I want to be a screenwriter and we’re going to start filming towards the end of this year.

“I picked two things. One is Bury Park, as that’s where I grew up, and where there is so much culture. I want to show it in a positive light, but more of a real representation.

“The other thing I targeted was young people in arts. The opportunities aren’t always there. So I really want to tap into someone from the same background as me, and give them this chance to be a runner, hold the boom pole, and see that filmmaking process. People do make careers out of it and, even if you’re that person from Bury Park, you can do it too.”

the

QUALITY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS

Living independently

ATS is a Luton Council service that helps keep vulnerable adults safe by monitoring them in the comfort of their own home, through different types of alarms and equipment.

They have personal alarm services (Lifelines and lone worker devices), as well as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fall sensors, for anyone worried about safety or security.

The lone worker device is an easy to use device with an SOS button to trigger a personal alarm, alerting your emergency contacts or a 24 hour emergency line.

If you need to monitor the location of a friend or family member remotely, the easy-to-use Smartwatch has GPS tracking, and features to detect falls, SOS personal alarm, two-way calling and heart rate monitoring.

Monica is a digital health coach that enables people to keep their independence at home. The users’ family or friends can check on them at any time using the Miicare App.

If you need help to take medication on time then YOURmeds™ is for you. It’s as easy as opening an advent calendar, the smart pack sounds an alarm and tells the user which door to open for their medication.

Please contact the friendly team on 01582 720703 or at ats@luton.gov.uk to find out more about these products and services. You can also connect on Facebook @ ATS or visit the website to find out what customers think: www.assistivetechnologyservices.co.uk

Welcoming talent to Luton...

The UK has a history of welcoming people seeking sanctuary after escaping discrimination and war in their own countries, especially Luton which has taken a far greater share in recent years.

There are some who make their mark and over the years more than a handful have become famous artists. Lucien Freud is one example, fleeing to England in the 1930s to avoid Nazi persecution.

Here are a couple of talented young men who came to this country to seek safety and have spent time in our town. They use their art to tell their story and to express themselves. Perhaps they too will make their mark.

Taye from Ethiopia creates work that is a mix of realism, abstract and drawings using pastels, oils and acrylic paint depending on the piece he is creating.

He became interested in art from a young age and has continued his passion.

“I grew up with my grandma and she always went to church and when I didn’t have a class I went with her. I saw the religious iconographies and these inspired me and still do. In school holidays I spent my time drawing and painting”.

He was further influenced by his father and later as teenager when he had the chance to meet and talk to Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle.

With a cemented passion he studied fine art in Addis Ababa specialising in painting.

Coming to this country hasn’t stopped him pursuing his love and has in fact helped him. He has joined an art club in Luton run by a local charity where he is able to express himself through his work.

“Doing my art makes me happy.

“I observe lots and it’s composed by itself in my head then worries my mind until I apply it to canvas or other media”.

Looking forward he hopes one day to exhibit his work and he also wants to explore other media and mix old and new masters. “I want to ‘upgrade’ my skills and move into digital and motion graphics and the film industry.

Hejii, a young Kurdish man from Iraq, explains what his photography means to him.

“I’m not good at talking and not even a pro about telling a story, but I can take a picture and it will tell a thousand stories. A photo for me can explain the scene, or the situation - the picture gives the whole story without saying even a word”.

He has used his art to catalogue his story since arriving here in the UK, including his time in Luton.

“Photography helps me capture anything I want to remember. One photo is enough to not only remind me of details of an event, but it can take me right back to the feelings of that moment”.

Luton has always been a compassionate town with community groups, voluntary sector and public sector organisations supporting those seeking refuge. If you are interested in volunteering in Luton contact bedfordshire@care4calais.org You can also visit www.redcross.org.uk to get involved.

The sky should be the limit for any local business but, for now at least, Luton beekeeper Colin Hall will have to be content with the roof of The Mall.

Colin has kept bees for 50 years and is a trustee of Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association. His apiaries are usually located in places where he can keep his feet on the ground, but he was more than happy to help with The Mall’s initiative to help promote their ongoing sustainability plan by installing bee hives on the centre’s roof.

The majority of town centre shoppers are probably unaware that our fuzzy little friends are getting busy above Boots while they’re spending their Nectar points downstairs.

Once the rooftop house-swarming party was over, Colin explained, “I was invited to position a hive or two up there. I’ve been switched on by the idea that Luton is a town that wants to be greener. People in the Mall are very interested in that and I’ve been working with two of the staff there to keep the bees. It’s a project that they led on.

“All the honey we got from the main hive is sold in the Mall, and the proceeds go to the food bank.

Monsters

So that was really something. On average, a bee will only travel around 500 yards from its hive, so it’s a very local food.”

Some older readers may remember Colin as a former teacher and Director of Learning at Luton Sixth Form College. Yet in 2009, retirement in the traditional sense was never an option for Colin, and he embarked on his Plan Bee.

“I’ve got between 30 and 40 hives in five apiaries, which is pretty large scale. So I would call myself a slightly professional beekeeper.

“I must know hundreds of people in Luton who come to buy my honey. If you've got local produce then there's the opportunity to have that relationship and rapport between producer and customer, which is very important for the community. It's a sense of belonging. That has become really important.”

“There has been a great shift in public attitude to bees. People have really heard the message of how essential they are to the environment as pollinators, and essential to our food supplies. I’m very much an environmentalist and I’m still blown away by the wonder of bees as creatures.

“Bees and beekeeping gives you ways of understanding the world that you live in, in terms of science, biology, agriculture and meteorology.”

If you would like to purchase Colin’s wonderful honey, drop him an email to purchase directly or to find a local stockist: hall.colin@gmail.com

Street Food

In times past, being in possession of herbs in High Town may have got you into trouble. Yet a brilliant community initiative has transformed some parts of the area into places of peace, propagation... and potatoes.

Edible High Town has grown from the green shoots of The Incredible Edible Movement, which is a national vision to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food. Their mantra is, ‘If you eat, you’re in’.

The group, with project co-ordinator Konni Deppe at the helm, and ably supported by her band of volunteers, currently tend to eight garden spaces in the area that were previously neglected, unattractive spots that served no purpose to the local community. And each one of them offers something unique.

“High Town is a ward with around 10,000 people and is one of the

“We have spaces that range from the size of an allotment to two square metres on a street corner that we look after. All our gardens are publicly accessible. They are not fenced in and are open 24 hours a day, which means they are for everyone to harvest and for everyone to enjoy.”

Seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, trees and flowers flourish under the shadows of the train station and former hat factories, and are all fair game for the residents’ pantries.

“I would say about fifty per cent is not harvested by us, the volunteers. The other fifty is harvested by people who we don’t know. There is a clear need as sometimes I think we’re like a food bank

Could you support a teenager who has had tough times in their life?

Become a Foster Carer Plus carer

Luton Council has launched a new fostering scheme, which aims to help teenagers who are facing challenging issues.

The Foster Carer Plus scheme requires carers who can advocate on their behalf and support teenagers to develop the skills they will need to take them into adult life. Your role enables teenagers to develop and reach their full potential within a home based family setting, while managing their health and mental wellbeing.

You don’t need any specific qualifications or training to become a Foster Carer Plus carer. All you need is experience in helping a young person through difficult times, and a spare bedroom.

What will carers get in return?

To support you in your new role, we will provide ongoing training and support from our friendly fostering team.

Super Carers needed

You will also receive a weekly income of £537, and a weekly allowance for the young person you are caring for.

If you’re interested in becoming a Foster Carer Plus carer, call 01582 547633, email fostering@luton.gov.uk, or visit luton.gov.uk/fostering for more information.

You will receive:

£537 a week

No specific qualifications required, just experience of helping a young person through tough times to provide loving homes

a weekly allowance for the young person ongoing training and support

luton.gov.uk/fostering

www.beds.ac.uk/you

Time to celebrate

Disability Pride Month is an international initiative that celebrates the disability community and highlights their creativity, resilience, and achievements. It is a chance to celebrate the diversity in the disability community and to reject stigma and discrimination.

In Luton, The Disability Network are naming this month as 'Disability Celebration Month' and are planning a number of events and activities which will take place throughout July. There will be four awareness raising events, covering the different types of disabilities, and residents and organisations will have the opportunity to hold a stall in St George's Square to:

• share their lived experiences

• promote the support and services available

• educate the wider community

The network are also producing an accessibility events guide to help Luton events be more accessible and inclusive, and will be producing some information and awareness videos to educate the wider community on the realities of those with additional needs in our town.

The Disability Network is made up of residents, parent/carers, and representatives from community organisations who work together to address the experiences of those with disabilities and additional needs in Luton. For more details contact Lauren.Cox@luton.gov.uk

Our graduates have started 870 businesses in just seven years

(HESA, 2021)

Silly Idle

Idling vehicles are a waste of fuel, money and are harmful to our health.

An anti-idling campaign is aiming to raise awareness of the impact of poor air quality on peoples’ lives, and remind you that your money is going up in smoke while the engine runs when your vehicle is stationary.

Minimising this helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which are linked to climate change. Another unwanted by-product is nitrogen dioxide, which is linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung cancer.

The council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement Team and parking enforcement officers have been talking to drivers who are running their engines while stationary in the town, and particularly around schools, to encourage them to switch off. Over 600 idling drivers have done so when approached – avoiding a fine and doing their bit for the environment!

Watch the short video on the council’s Youtube channel by searching: ‘Engines off while you wait.’

Show you care and park elsewhere

Life can be busy and with a lot of people being tight for time, ‘I will only be two minutes’ is the thought entering some heads when parking up and dropping a child off at school.

Yet roads outside schools can get severely congested.

Parking on painted yellow lines, zig zags, the pavement or blocking drives, is so dangerous for children. But, surprisingly, it happens.

So try parking a five minute walk away from the school gates. Make it somewhere safe, sensible and considerate. Or better still, walk or cycle.

Neighbourhood Your

Life has certainly changed since the pandemic with more people hybrid working. Recognising this the council has introduced parking permits to suit those who only need to park on a limited number of days each week.

For further information and to apply online please visit www.luton.gov.uk/parking.

Town centre car parks

Weekly (Mon to Sat) £25

Monthly (Mon to Sat) £85

Quarterly (Mon to Sat) £250

Annual (Mon to Sat) £1,000

Annual fixed day permit (any 2 days per week) £477

Annual fixed day permit (any 3 days per week) £715

Annual fixed day permit (any 4 days per week) £954

If you live in Luton’s South Ward you may be aware of the Safer Streets project. The aim is to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and make you feel safer by

• upgrading existing lighting and installing additional lamp columns

• increasing CCTV

• applying for Public Spaces Protection Orders and installing gating in hotspot locations

• providing crime prevention resources for repeat victims and vulnerable residents

If you live in the South Ward contact SSF4Luton@luton.gov.uk for advise on crime prevention and resources.

HOME AND AWAY

Ever fancied clearing out the dusty doll's house and piles of old magazines from your spare bedroom - then replacing them with a budding footballer?

Well, that's handy as Luton Town FC Academy are looking to recruit potential host families to support their young players.

Many of the club's academy starlets are from further afield than Luton's traditional catchment areas, so need locally-based families to take them under their wing.

Luton Life visited LTFC's training ground at The Brache to speak to Player Care Officer Wayne Polson about this vital part of player development.

“It is a nervous environment to be in. But once you get to know the host and the family, you become part of it. The host family concept is quite nurturing and they have that natural skill set to look after people,” said Wayne.

And the feedback from the players we spoke to who are currently benefitting from hosting was overwhelmingly positive.

Tobias Braney, 19, from Essex. Forward.

“My hosts are massive Luton fans, so they're really interested in what I'm doing. You do get close to them and you're naturally going to bond. It does feel like a second family. I have to make my own bed every morning. We usually have breakfast and lunch here [training ground] so it's just dinner. They always make decent meals so it's pretty easy.”

Claude Kayibanda, 16, from North London. Defender.

“With time, you get used to a new environment and a new family, so it all gets better. You get to meet them before and get a tour around the area, so it's good. It's very positive and we've got a good bond. They make your life easier.”

“Being alone at somewhere you're not really used to is a bit of a different environment. I'm used to being at home with my parents, seeing them every day. But it's commitment and,

if you want to get to where you want to be, that's what you have to do.”

If you feel you would be able to successfully support some of LTFC's young players, e-mail Wayne.Polson@lutontown.co.uk for more details.

Millar Matthews-Lewis, 18, from West London. Forward.

What’s On

At the Bandstand

Luton Bandstand is back this year with an exciting collection of diverse concerts and performances playing in Wardown Park throughout the summer. Sponsored by Luton Rising.

Selected Sundays: 4 June, 25 June, 9 July, 23 July and 13 August

2pm to 6pm

Luton Bandstand, Wardown Park, Luton

luton.gov.uk/events

Cost: Free

Luton International Carnival

Luton’s biggest free family event returns with a Coast to Coast theme. This year will be the carnival’s 47th parade, which will leave at 1pm from Park Street in front of the University of Bedfordshire’s STEM Building. The event is a magical experience for all, featuring spectacular performances, entertainment, food and stalls. There will be family entertainment from 11am with immersive story telling at the Hat Factory, and from 12pm at the two performance areas at St George’s Square and The Hat District. There will also be a fantastic line-up of roaming dinosaurs, live steel pan performances, and interactive dance activities with Next Generation Youth Theatre.

Sunday 28 May

12pm to 6pm

Luton Town Centre

www.carnivalarts.org.uk/ luton-carnival-2023

Thank you to Luton Rising, principle sponsors of these key Luton events.

Pride in Luton

Returning for a second year with an additional stage.

Thursday 22 June to Saturday 24 June 2023

1pm to 7pm Hat District, Bute Street, Luton

www.prideinluton.org

Cost: Free

Luton Turkfest

A day celebrating the Turkish community and those from surrounding countries.

Afrofest

Hosted by Unika. Experience a real taste of Africa with musicians, poets, cultural performances and a fashion show.

Saturday 22 July

12 noon to 8pm

Stockwood Park, Luton

Luton Baako

Lewsey Community Festival

More information to follow.

Saturday 24 June

All day

Lewsey Park, Luton

To be confirmed

Cost: Free

Colours of Eid

Join ALIF New Beginnings for Luton’s second Eid parade event, Colours of Eid, and a celebration of Islamic culture and arts. There will be family entertainment at St George’s Square and a costume parade from Market Hill to St George’s Square.

Saturday 8 July

12 pm to 6 pm

St George’s Square

www.coloursofeid.com

Cost: Free

Desi Fest Luton

Celebration of the music, culture and artistic diversity of Southeast Asia.

Saturday 2 September and Sunday 3 September 2023

3pm to 8pm

Wardown Park, Luton

www.desifest.co.uk

Cost: Free

Every month

Bradgers Hill Outdoor Work Parties

A great way to get hands-on to help wildlife, and create a place where nature and people can thrive. Get some fresh air, keep fit and meet others.

First Monday of every month

10am to 3pm

Bushmead Community Hub

www.wildlifebcn.org/ volunteering-opportunities/ conservation-work-partiesbedfordshire

Cost: Free

Hat District Lates

Eat, Drink and Create every first Thursday of the month at Hat District Lates! 16+

First Thursday of every month

5pm to 9pm

The Hat District

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Free

The Comedy Bar

Join resident MC Jake Pickford for an evening of stand-up comedy. Strictly 16+

Third Friday of every month

7.30pm to 10pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £7

Luton Life Drawing

Drawings made from the living naked human form. Join this friendly class with tutor Matt Burden.

Third Saturday of every month

2pm to 4pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £15

Swirl Nightclub

Bedfordshire’s biggest disability nightclub. Strictly 18+

Last Tuesday of every month

7pm to 10pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £6/free carer ticket

Artisan Food, Art and Craft Market

A monthly fair with handmade crafts, food and drinks.

Every second Sunday of the month

11am to 4pm

Stockwood Discovery Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Free

More events taking place

Hats Made Me

A major exhibition that explores the global significance of hats and headwear. Suitable for all ages

Until Sunday 10 December

Multiple Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Adults £6.50, Concessions £4.50 + £1 booking fee. Under 10’s free

Summer Sounds at Hat Gardens

Grab your lunch and head to Hat Gardens for a musical lunch break in the sun! Enjoy live music from 12pm to 2pm every Tuesday this summer.

Tuesday 25 July to

Tuesday 29 August

12pm to 2pm

Hat Gardens, Bute Street, Luton

www.luton.gov.uk/events

Cost: Free

Spring Fashion event

A two day event with pop-up fashion shows, advice from stylists and colour consultants.

Friday 19 May and Saturday 20 May

11am to 5pm

The Mall, Luton

www.themallluton.co.uk

Cost: Free

Acid Jazz & Other Illicit Grooves: The UK Exhibition Tour

A new immersive installation takes over the Hat Factory Basement. Experience the musical movement through sound, video, magazine features, photography, and album artwork. Suitable for all ages

Friday 19 May to

Thursday 1 June

Multiple Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £3.30

Utter! Lutonia

An eclectic and ever-changing line-up of Spoken Word talent. Strictly 16+

Thursday 1 June and

Thursday 7 September

7.30pm to 10pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/

whats-on/utter-lutonia-5

Cost: £6/£4 conc

Luton Beatz Lab

Listen to live beat and sound-making with improvised beat music.

Thursday 8 June 7pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £3

Now That is What We Call The 80’s

Andy Chesham (Vinyl Revelations) takes you back to the 1980s. Strictly 18+

Saturday 10 June

8pm to 1am

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £11 in advance, £13 on the door

Miles Hunt

The Wonder Stuff’s Miles Hunt performs songs from his latest album alongside classics from his 36-year career. Age guidance: 16+

Thursday 15 June

7.30pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £23.10

PRIDE in Luton: Vigil 2023

A short vigil to remember the lives of those taken too soon to launch the start of PRIDE in Luton 2023. Suitable for all ages

Thursday 22 June 7pm to 9pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Free, drop in

Football Freddie

A warm and witty new show for children and their grown-ups about football and team-work.

Age guidance: 3 - 7 year olds

Saturday 1 July 11.30am or 2pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £10

Food Fortunes

Celebrating food and drink at The Mall.

Friday 7 July and

Saturday 8 July

11am to 5pm

Central Square, The Mall, Luton

https://themallluton.co.uk

Cost: Free

Jurassic Summer

Explore the centre and find all the dinos before they escape!

July to August

During centre opening hours

The Mall, Luton

https://themallluton.co.uk

Cost: Free

Yoga in the Park

Start your day right this summer and energise your mind and body with a rejuvenating yoga practice.

To be confirmed

To be confirmed

Hat Gardens, Bute Street, Luton

www.luton.gov.uk/events

Cost: To be confirmed

NGYT Double Bill Showcase 2023

A double bill of original dance and theatre by Meraki Dance Company and The Ménage Collective. Age guidance 12+

Friday 28 July and Saturday 29 July

7.30pm to 9.30pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £13/£11 conc.

Magical Honey

Join Maya’s world of Magical Honey with dance, magic, storytelling and live music. Age guidance 5+

Monday 31 July

11.30am and 2pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £10

Storytelling on the Steps

Calling all young adventurers! Join us every Friday and let your imagination soar.

Every Friday from 28 July to 25 August

3pm

Hat Gardens, Bute Street, Luton

www.luton.gov.uk/events

Cost: Free

Big Gay Family Picnic

Bring your own picnic and join with activities available for families and others to take part in. Suitable for all ages

Sunday 3 September 12pm to 4pm

Stockwood Discovery Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Free, drop in

Noasis

Widely considered the world’s premier Oasis tribute band. Strictly 18+

Saturday 16 September

8.15pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £17.60

Anti-Nowhere League

Vinyl Revelations proudly presents the return to Luton’s Hat Factory of one of the UKs greatest bands. Strictly 18+

Saturday 23 September

8.15pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £22

Super Saturdays at Hat Gardens

Make your Saturday’s super fun! Join us for a series of children’s events featuring workshops and activities this summer.

8 July, 19 August and 16 September

To be confirmed

Hat Gardens, Bute Street, Luton

www.luton.gov.uk/events

Cost: Free

Stand-up Comedy

Edinburgh Comedy Previews: Kyrah Gray and Elliot Steel. Strictly 16+.

Saturday 1 July

8pm to 10pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £11

Edinburgh Comedy Previews: Ivo Graham and Abi Clarke Strictly 16+

Friday 7 July

8pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £11

Edinburgh Comedy Previews: Peter Rethinasamy and Daniel Foxx Strictly 16+

Thursday 13 July

8pm

Hat Factory Arts Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: £11

The Bear Club showcases a range of local talent, along with some of the biggest names nationwide and is hugely popular with lovers of jazz, blues and alternative music.

For details of upcoming events visit. www.the-bear.club

Mill Yard, 24A Guildford St, Luton, LU1 2NR

What’s on in your parks

Wardown Park Volunteer Gardeners

Come and help enhance the beautiful surrounds of Wardown Park.

Every Thursday

10am to 12pm

Meet by Wardown House

parksvolunteers@luton.gov.uk

Cost: Free

Memorial Park Volunteer Gardeners

Come and help enhance the beautiful surrounds of Memorial Park.

Every Friday

10am to 12pm

Meet by the car park

parksvolunteers@luton.gov.uk

Cost: Free

Nature Conservation Activities

Come and join other local residents to help promote biodiversity and improve access to our nature conservation areas around the town.

Every Monday 10am to 3.30pm

Various – email for details parksvolunteers@luton.gov.uk

Cost: Free

Heritage Open Days

England’s largest festival of history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are free to explore and made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

8 September to 17 September

To be confirmed

Various locations

www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Cost: Free

Hat Gardens

Summer Cinema

Join us for an unforgettable bank holiday cinema experience at Hat Gardens! Relax in deck chairs and bean bags whilst enjoying street food under the stars.

Saturday 26 August

5pm to 9pm

Hat Gardens, Bute Street, Luton

www.luton.gov.uk/events

Sundown Open Air

Cinema: Matilda the Musical (PG)

Tim Minchin’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale is a heart-warming story.

Friday 4 August 3pm

Stockwood Discovery Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Adult £11.75 | Child £6.25 | Child under two £2.25

Sundown Open Air

Cinema: Top Gun: Maverick (12A)

Tom Cruise is back in the cockpit as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, the hotshot fighter pilot.

Friday 4 August 9pm

Stockwood Discovery Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Adult £15.75 | Child £9.75

Sundown Open Air

Cinema: Grease (PG)

The beloved story of Danny and Sandy come to life on the big screen.

Saturday 5 August 9pm

Stockwood Discovery Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Adult £15.75 | Child £9.75

Sundown Open Air

Cinema: Sing 2 (PG)

Experience the excitement and energy of the singing competition as Buster Moon and his talented contestants strive to put on the ultimate show.

Sunday 6 August 3pm

Stockwood Discovery Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Adult £11.75 | Child £6.25 | Child under two £2.25

Sundown Open Air

Cinema: The Greatest Showman (PG)

Sit under the stars for a magical evening filled with music, dancing, and the unforgettable story of P.T. Barnum and his circus.

Sunday 6 August 9pm

Stockwood Discovery Centre

www.culturetrust.com/whats-on

Cost: Adult £15.75 | Child £9.75

luton adult learning

Luton Adult Learning is your community provider and here to help you. We offer high quality teaching and learning in a friendly and supportive environment in Arndale House.

Whether you are looking to find an apprenticeship, a new job, gain a promotion, want to be able to support your children at school, work with your local community, or improve your confidence - we have something for you.

Improving numeracy

Learn gardening skills and improve your maths at the same time.

Some of our courses

English, Maths and IT skillsall levels of courses up to GCSE.

English as a Spoken Languagecourses that will help you develop basic language skills for everyday communication, progress at work or move on to further study.

Family Learning - offers huge benefits to you and your child as you help to understand how your child learns.

Skills - Business administration, customer service, team leading and operational management apprenticeships are offered from Level 2 up to 5.

Employability workshops - will help you design an outstanding CV, prepare for interviews and improve your confidence.

Adult Social Care - workshops with an overview of working within the care sector.

Childcare – multi-level courses if you are interested in working with young children, or you want to progress in your role.

We are always offering new courses, so visit our website to get the latest information

www.lutonacl.ac.uk

@Lutonacl Luton Adult Learning

• create a community garden

• use maths to plan, calculate and measure

• grow fruit, vegetables and flowers

Tuesday and Thursdays

9.30am—12pm, running until 29 June

Marsh Farm Futures, Futures House, The Moakes, LU3 3QB

Please contact: info@lutonacl.ac.uk or 01582 490033

Luton Employability Day

The event is a good opportunity for professional men and women in Luton’s Black communities to interact with young people 10 to 19 years and make them aware of the options and pathways to success.

Organised by the Reach Society and supported by a range of private, public and third sector organisations the event will give young people the chance to benefit from themed workshops, pose questions to experts and discover what options are on offer to students aged 16 plus, university undergraduates and graduates. Visit www.reachsociety.com to find out more.

Tuesday 30 May 10.30am to 3.30pm Chiltern Academy

Business support

Luton Council’s Economic Growth team is passionate about Luton businesses and have expertise in supporting a wide range of sectors across the private, public and voluntary sectors.

To support businesses so they have the correct information to compete when bidding for contracts we run Meet the Buyers events as well as learning seminars and workshops.

The council has achieved Good Business Charter accreditation which recognises responsible business practices and we are here to support your business in achieving the standard.

For further details visit www.goodbusinesscharter.com

BLAST FROM THE PAST

The River Lea

A river runs through it

Town centre residents and visitors are tickled pink to see the long-awaited return of Luton's iconic flamingos.

The nomadic fibreglass birds, once famous residents of The Mall, have found a new home at Hat Gardens. It's the first of the new exciting waterside spaces in which the River Lea will be opened up as part of a green corridor through the town centre. Hat Gardens, the pocket park on the corner of Bute Street and Silver Street on the site of a former car park, is open to the public as a green space to relax and enjoy.

The spot was also enjoyed as part of the part of the Coronation celebrations and later that month events were held with live music, a heritage tour, street food vans and performers. There will also be regular events such as lunchtime music sessions and storytelling.

Opening up the River Lea is a key component of the Town Centre Masterplan, which reimagines our ancient past and then channels it into the impressive new vision of establishing a string of waterside spaces throughout the town.

The next phase will strive to open up another section of the river along Library Road, creating a new pedestrian route and riverside park on the corner of Cheapside and Silver Street. A green corridor will be created along the route of the river which will improve air quality and drainage.

The history bit

By the time of the Norman Conquest, Luton was a thriving market town and by 1086, six mills were located on the river as Luton prospered. Yet the real growth in Luton did not begin until the late 18th century, with the arrival of the hat industry.

Luton was becoming a major market for straw plaits by the beginning of the 19th century, which were largely produced in rural areas. The plaiters would purchase prepared straw from merchants in Luton and then bring their completed plaits back to the market to sell.

Despite its success, the hat industry in Luton was short-lived, flourishing between the 1860s and the end of World War II. Following the war, the industry declined rapidly and the hat factories in this area closed and were converted to general office use, signalling the end of the Rivel Lea’s significance to local industry.

What’s happening at Hat Gardens?

Summer Sounds (25 July – 29 August)

12-2pm – Live music every Tuesday lunchtime.

Grab your lunch and head down for a musical break in the sun!

Summer Cinema (Sat 26 August)

5-9pm – Includes deck chairs, bean bags, and street food. Join us for an unforgettable bank holiday cinema experience!

Yoga in the Park (Summer 2023)

Energise your mind and body before work with a rejuvenating yoga practice. Dates coming soon.

Children’s Summer Holidays Programme

(Monday 24 July to Thursday 31 August 2023

Storytelling on the Steps

3pm - Every Friday

Calling all young adventurers! Join us every Friday and let your imagination soar with captivating tales! For up to date information visit www.luton.gov.uk/events

Super Saturdays (8 July, 19 August, 16 September)

Make your Saturday’s super fun! Join us for a series of children’s events featuring workshops and activities this summer.

For up to date information visit www.luton.gov.uk/events

Easy Being Green

Climate change is impossible to ignore so, it’s more important than ever to act now, to prevent this global crisis from becoming a global catastrophe.

Recycling Right?

We should all know what we can put in our household recycling bin. Yet most of us would still be surprised by what you can't.

Sometimes that lack of knowledge can have devastating consequences. Last year, a fire broke out at the Kingsway waste depot which caused so much damage that some of the fire-ravaged work spaces are still out of service. Thankfully, no-one was injured. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is ongoing, although it is suspected that it was sparked by a used battery. Batteries should never be disposed of in your green and black bins. For safe disposal, take them to your nearest tidy tip at Progress Way or Eaton Green Road. Alternatively, ask your local supermarkets if they have dead battery bins – many now do.

Destroying the notion that our household recycling waste is magically dealt with by a wave of a wizard's wand as soon as it lands at Kingsway's waste and recycling plant still seems to present a challenge.

Charging up Luton!

The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to get back to its original state. So contamination is a key word to remember when you are deciding whether your waste items are recyclable or non-recyclable.

For example; the UK pizza market is estimated to be worth around £5 billion each year. That's a lot of dough, both ways you look at it. Around 80 per cent of those pizzas consumed are home delivered, usually in cardboard boxes. After you've munched through all that mozzarella, putting that packaging with the pizza-sized grease stain in your green recycling bin is actually the wrong thing to do. At the recycling processing plant, the oily box will be rejected and removed.

Here's a tip; tear the stained half of the box off first so that the rest can be recycled.

Recyclable bottles and plastic cartons should be treated the same. No rinse could mean no recycle.

Yet public enemy number one at the recycling plant is the humble black bin bag. You've gone to all that trouble to collect your rinsed recyclables in one place but, if the contents are obscured because they are bagged, then they are hauled out of the processing machinery and discarded with normal rubbish. What a waste!

Clear recycling sacks are acceptable as the plant workers can see what is inside them, yet the recycling of items is so more efficient if they are loose. Then you can fit more in your bin.

Bragging Routes

Following the adoption of its Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Strategy, the council held its first supplier engagement event, marking the first step in Luton’s journey to scale up the number of chargepoints in the town. Supported by the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding, the ambition is to increase the number of publically available chargepoints from 45 to over 200, by 2025. This will mean residents without driveways are still able to charge their personal electric vehicle.

Nearly three quarters of respondents were in support of plans to improve cycling and walking schemes in the town and help make active travel the natural choice for local journeys. Feedback to the recent survey revealed what people considered to be the most important cycling and walking corridors. The council will now work on designing the schemes.

Rags to Riches

Being green in our outlook to our planet is becoming more of a lifesaver than a lifestyle choice. Clothes and textiles can be cheap to buy but, when you factor in their manufacture, processing and transport, they have a huge environmental impact.

Rather than binning unwanted items or taking them to the tidy tip, there are other options. Donating them to one of the many Luton charities that accept furniture, clothes and textiles for resale is a good way to help someone else benefit.

Upcycling can help transform your clothes into new garbs by revamping or altering them in some way. It’s a great opportunity to get creative and there are lots of video guides online to help you.

Or you could use a website such as Deepop.com or Vinted.com where you can sell your old items so others can enjoy what you no longer wear –making you a few a few pounds at the same time!

Some retailers, such as Asda, H&M, Marks & Spencer and River Island, also offer take back schemes, giving you discount when you retire your old clothes and textiles.

The Incredible Hulk is one of the greenest people we know, but he often struggles with clothes recycling ideas, as his split trousers and shirts are usually beyond repair.

Waste not, want not

Halloumi kebabs

The sun’s shining so that means it's time to get the barbecues out. Here is an easy way to use up some of the food in your fridge, that's kind on your pocket and super healthy.

Ingredients:

• 2 courgettes

• 1 large red pepper

• 250g low fat halloumi cheese

• 16 cherry tomatoes

If you find yourself in the same boat, rather than getting angry, don’t throw them in your waste bin. Ripped tights, holey socks, or torn garments can all have a life as something new and could be made into anything from sofa stuffing to a carpet, or cleaning cloths. Find local recycling points for your unwanted clothing and textiles: www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item

When a new pair of jeans is made, an estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted – the equivalent of driving over 58 miles in a car.

Second Hand September is about buying only second hand items for 30 days so shopping in a way that is kinder to the planet.

1. Halve the courgettes lengthways and cut into thick slices. Then cut the onion into thick wedges. The cheese can be divided into 16 cubes.

2. Make up eight skewers using these ingredients, topping and tailing each skewer with a tomato. If you have some mushrooms or aubergine around, add those too!

3. Then make a marinade–perhaps some chopped basil, olive oil, lime juice –or anything suitable that's lurking in your cupboard.

4. Throw the skewers on the pre-heated grill, brushing them with your saucy seasoning until golden brown.

5. Serve with pitta bread or rice.