Issuu

ISSUE No. 6

What’s on in Luton

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

WINDRUSH 75... a celebration

STEP FORWARD A PARTNERSHIP PUBLICATION

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Welcome to Luton Life Your community magazine packed with features on all things Luton from the past, present and future. Well there goes the summer, then. It arrived a bit late and didn’t hang around for too long, but the town’s famous football team certainly cranked up the heat and drew the eyes of the world upon us with that triumphant win at Wembley Stadium in May. The Hatters’ amazing return to top flight football provided the perfect launch pad for the new ‘Step Forward Luton’ campaign, and we’ve got it covered with all you need to know on how to get involved on pages 4-5. Luton celebrated the 75th anniversary of Windrush this year, and you can read about the contributions made to our

community as well as the trials of those who arrived from the Caribbean in past decades. Our regular What’s On pages are packed to the rafters with upcoming arts and community functions coming to town over the next few months. Whether you’re seeking food, music or fun there is something for everyone in the listings. Easy Being Green is back with some great tips on reducing food waste, recycling unwanted tech items and advice on spotting rogue traders. Then there’s the astonishing tale of a local schoolgirl who was thrust into the blistering Mexican

heat of the Women’s World Cup in 1971, when a representative England side was managed by a former bus driver from Luton. Do not miss Leah Caleb’s incredible story on pages 30-31! 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. 3

STEP FORWARD LUTON If certain negative and stereotypical national media headlines are to be believed, it’s barely worth stepping outside your door without fear of being decapitated by the rotors of a low-flying police helicopter. Thankfully, us Lutonians know different. The summer has left an imprint of celebration and fun as the memories of Luton International Carnival, Pride in Luton, Sundays at the Bandstand and Summer Sounds at Hat Gardens (and far too many other events to mention) linger. Oh, and a certain local football club’s achievements becoming global news, as their financial stability for the foreseeable future was secured in the swish of a high, wide and wonderful penalty kick at Wembley Stadium. 4

As the world looks over our shoulders, now is the perfect moment for all of us to not just bask in the spotlight, but run with the baton and show everyone what Luton is really all about. So, step forward Lutonians and support a brilliant new initiative where everyone can get involved to champion their home town. Luton is brimming with greatness and potential and it’s high time we started spreading the word.

Be Part of It Join the symphony of positive voices and let’s seize this opportunity to celebrate our town’s accomplishments and create a place that fills everyone with pride. Together, we can make a lasting impact and shape a dynamic future for everyone in Luton.

As a supporter you can •

shout loud and proud about Luton on social media and in your community networks

•

use the #StepForwardLuton hashtag whenever you have positive news or comments about things in Luton

•

take part in Step Forward Luton events and enter competitions. Eyes on the prize!

•

apply for funding opportunities to deliver improvements in your community

Like just about everything else that’s good about the town, Step Forward Luton is driven by passionate local people who really want to make a difference.

A team of volunteer Step Forward Luton ambassadors have come together to kick start the campaign, and Luton Life caught up with a selection of them to ask why they were attracted to the role.

Montell Neufville is the MD of ATT10TIVE, a social enterprise with the aim of bringing communities together.

“I’m fed up with the relentless negative narrative about how awful Luton is, ignoring all the excellent things that happen in the town, and the work of those running fantastic projects to make things better for children, young people and adults here.

I want Step Forward Luton to be open for all and have the whole community in charge.

“I’ve been working in Luton communities for many years in a number of roles. In 2016, I set up ATT10TIVE to run a range of projects to play what part we can to get everybody else around us in a better place. One of our partners told me about Step Forward Luton, and would I be up for supporting the campaign. I like the new branding and it fitted in with our ethos. We can take that forward in our own way. We operate as a conduit to engage Luton.

These incredible creatives, programmers, poets, artists, and independent business owners have been working for decades to make things happen in Luton, and to encourage the next generation. I see Step Forward Luton as a way to champion some of this work, and I want to help with that.”

The Ambassadors

My role is to be a bridge to connect. I aim to get between 500 and 1,000 creatives involved. As one of our youth ambassadors said, ‘We will bring the energy!’” Maz Brown owns Brown Books and is director of the community interest companies, Luton Literature and The High Town Community.

The www.stepforwardluton.co.uk website is bursting with more information about the new campaign. Actually, let’s call it a mission. So, after me, let’s say it one more time. STEP. FORWARD. LUTON! Your go-to source for all things great about our town. Find the finest coffee bars, foodie gems,

Hina Shafi is a sports activist and serves as the Her Game Too Ambassador for Luton Town Football Club. “I was born and bred in Luton. Every positive that the town and its amazing people have had has been dismissed because of negativity and assumptions of what Luton is. For me, that’s frustrating because when I used to go to other places, people would look down at me. “I’m very passionate about the power of sports and I definitely want to be part of this. Now the actions are matching the words. where to shop and the very best places to visit. And the ‘what’s on guide’ is filled with hundreds of events and happenings in our town. place.stepforwardluton.co.uk

“With LTFC making the Premier League, this is the perfect chance for us to change that narrative of what Luton is and how resilient we are as a community. We can fight back and there are positives and so much talent in our town.” Paul Hammond is the Chair of Luton Heritage Forum and has over 35 years of experience in education. “I became involved quite naturally. I’ve led the putting on of musical events at the bandstand in Wardown Park, which have been very successful, and the council have been very supportive. I also do a number of heritage walks around the town. I really enjoy celebrating the town’s past. We can learn a lot from it, by also making changes for the future. The common denominator between the group is that we are intensely local. We’ve got to have some concrete outcomes from this initiative, otherwise it’s all gloss without anything beneath the surface. We will make sure that the suggestions we make are for all Lutonians.”

‘You could win a signed, framed Luton Town Football Club shirt by snapping a selfie of yourself with the Step Forward Luton letters. Tell us what you love about Luton. place.stepforwardluton.co.uk

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Trash

Talk

Luton Life saddled up with the some of the crews from the local Neighbourhood Services Team as they carried out their daily patrols around the town’s fly-tipping and graffiti hot spots. Litter-ally tons of unwanted household and commercial debris is dumped on our streets, alleyways and parks every day; sometimes intentionally by rogue traders, but sometimes by a small number of the local community who should know better. Yet persistent fly-tippers could be in for a shock if they refuse to adhere to the law. The council is getting tougher on the rubble-rousers with an increasingly forensic approach to identify the culprits. Operatives are adopting techniques from the television series C.S.I: Crime Scene Investigation; sifting through rubbish bags to reveal the source of the rubbish, viewing nearby CCTV and speaking to local people who may have seen the offenders in action. Those identified may subsequently receive junk mail with an expensive twist through the post – a fixed penalty notice. Current fly-tipping levels have topped 100 tonnes per month, at a sizeable disposal cost to the taxpayer. Setting off on board a 7.5 tonne truck with operatives Colin and Terry from the Kingsway depot at

6am, we are soon traversing the town centre, checking the usual sites where rubbish is unlawfully dumped. A lumpy mattress is first in the cage, followed by some burgeoning black bin liners cosied up to a green telecoms box. “We work with the crews who go out and search. We would identify a fly-tip. From there, we obtain evidence,” said Gus MacPherson, the town centre officer. “Then we either go and do interviews, or issue a fixed penalty notice. We’ve been quite successful in the convictions gained. And now we’ve got more cameras going up so we can pick up vehicle registrations.” With the town centre run done, the subsequent neighbourhood patrols soon have our truck filled to the brim. “Mattresses, carpets, tyres, bags of clothes, household rubbish, cardboard boxes, chairs – just in two spots,” said exasperated driver, Colin. “Different crews are needed to lift up heavier items, like the sofas. Then litter pickers for smaller waste. That’s three

crews needed just to clear up. We go through a full load each day, just from driving around.” It was then time to join up with Ian and Keith, the crew’s graffiti cleaning arm. These doodle-busting heroes had been hard at it since 5am, and took us to a subway extensively daubed in semi-literate slogans. Even in the late summer sunshine, it looked bleak. Banksy it wasn’t. This one would require a return visit to paint over the stencilled scrawls. Yet their skills came to the fore in another location as they vanquished more unwanted etchings with paintremoving chemicals and a jet washer.

The council has a number of roles available in its Neighbourhood Services Team including refuse and street cleansing. Could this be an opportunity for you or someone you know? Visit connect2luton.co.uk and luton.gov.uk/jobs to find out about temporary and permanent opportunities.

Who is taking your waste? If you're having a clear out or some work done to your property and you are using someone to take away the extra waste, make sure they have a license to do so. YOU could be fined or prosecuted if they haven't. Check gov.uk/ guidance/access-the-public-register-forenvironmental-information 7

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Once in a lifetime chance for Luton Luton is on the up, and it’s great to see our fabulous town enjoying a well-deserved moment in the limelight. Much of the positivity has resulted from the football club’s success, but all of us who live in Luton know there are so many other great things about our town. We also know there are ongoing challenges. For me, the biggest of these are equality and the level of poverty in our town, even among those who are working. I see the impact this is having on families through the work I am involved in across our communities. There’s a lot of fantastic grassroots activity to support our families in need, but it shouldn’t need to be like

this. We must find a way to reduce the levels of poverty in the town in the first place. That’s why I decided to set up a petition in support of the plans for the long-term expansion of our airport. This is a rare, possibly once-in-alifetime, chance to make a huge, positive difference to our town’s future prosperity. The rewards from up to 11,000 new jobs will be simply enormous. The benefits will reach not only the families of those who succeed in getting these jobs but also bring in more investment and transform the spending power in our town.

Luton Rising, the Luton Council company that owns our airport, is promising up to an additional £14m per year for the vital community groups that help the vulnerable people who most need our support. And they are going further than any UK airport has previously gone to safeguard environmental impacts. I urge you to please consider this plea and sign the petition. Mohammed Tariq Station Controller Inspire FM

Grow our airport, grow up to 11,000 new jobs.

Show your support at growourairport.org Luton Rising is the trading name of London Luton Airport Ltd. This is a private limited company, registered in England & Wales No. 2020381 Registered address: Hart House Business Centre, Kimpton Road, Luton, LU2 0LA

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Windrush 75 To mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation, the town has been hosting a series of events to celebrate those families who arrived from the Caribbean between 1948 and 1971. In 1948, with post-war Britain suffering from chronic labour shortages, government ministers began to look outward to other Commonwealth countries for the manpower to plug the holes of our perforated society. The British Nationality Act was passed, and that same year the HMT Empire Windrush rocked up at Tilbury Docks in East Sussex with 1,027 passengers on board. Of those, over 800 gave their last country of residence as somewhere in the Caribbean. The NHS was formed the same year and, as more passenger ships from the colonies followed, Britain was slowly mended and new, everlasting communities were formed. Luton’s modern day diversity and culture owes a huge amount to those early pioneers who sacrificed so much to revive the nation. Here in Luton, the Caribbean community has been heavily involved in health, transport, fashion, sports and the arts. Former Leagrave Junior School pupil Saundra Glenn, from The 4 Social Good project, is one of many children of that generation. 12

“It is time that more stories are shared to show that Luton and the UK became home to many different types of Caribbean people, such as my late parents.”

“Windrush 75 has been an amazing year of celebration of the contributions of the many who answered the call to come to Britain – as British people – to help rebuild the country after the ravages of two World Wars,” said Saundra (pictured), who was born in Luton to Jamaican parents. “The people arriving in the first decade paved the way and made things slightly easier for those coming after. They bore the harshest of the treatments and had to fight their way into life in mainstream Britain. “My parents married in Wandsworth but people were saying there were more opportunities to have a house in Luton, and more chance to get building work.

Saundra gives up much of her time fronting local community projects, and mentoring young people. Another activity she has immersed herself in is giving advice and assistance to those affected by the Windrush Scandal, when the Home Office’s ‘hostile environment policy’ created havoc and misery amongst one of the communities who had served their country best. “Can you imagine being invited here, working here all you life, then having to prove you’re from here because you no longer have a British passport because it expired when you got off the boat? That’s a slap in the face. “The NHS was built on the back of all those who came over on the boats to work here but that one policy threw thousands of lives into chaos,” said Saundra. For more information go to www.gov.uk/apply-windrushcompensation-scheme

MADE IN LUTON

(AND ST VINCENT!) Alexis Keir talks to Geoff Knox Author Alexis Keir’s five starrated book, Windward Family, shines a timely light on the joys, troubles and journeys of ancestors and his own family from St Vincent, a small, verdant, volcanic island wedged in the Caribbean Sea. Alexis’s parents, both Vincentians, moved to Luton from their London base while he was still an infant in 1965, setting up home first in Kingsway, before moving on to Holgate Drive so that mother Lenore could be closer to her work as a nurse at Luton and Dunstable Hospital. His father Winston had landed a job with Vauxhall Motors. Windward Family has a unique format in that it is part-memoir and part a reimagining of episodes in the lives of real Vincentians who have come to England over generations since the 1800s; lives painstakingly researched and unpicked by Alexis in the process writing of this book. Alexis’s journey is one of separation, reunion and reflection as he writes about his return to St Vincent, searching for the parts of himself he had left behind as a child. “I put my heart and soul into it. There’s loads of history in the book but I’m not a historian and I’m not a journalist. I’m just writing about people’s lives, some of whom happened to be my own family,” revealed Alexis. “Having said that, I did do loads of

research. I remember racing up to Harewood House, north of Leeds. Or going to the St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum archives, and all of the other people I spoke to. When I write I always feel I’m representing Luton and I’m also representing St Vincent. I hate it when people say you can only be loyal to one place.” Yet we are happy to claim him as one of our own, as Alexis has spent most of his life in Luton as a pupil at Maidenhall Primary School and Challney High School (being guided by legendary English teacher Doreen Thakoordin) before becoming a long-serving, unflinching defender for Vauxhall Hockey Club.

inspired by his encounters with Māori culture, was pivotal in igniting his passion for self-discovery. “That was very powerful for me. Their stories and folklore made me think about the gaps in my own knowledge, particularly as I hadn’t been back to St Vincent for about 20 years at that point. I was curious to find out more and reconnect with a legacy that had been there waiting for me all the time.”

“For me to do what I’m doing now, there needed to be people who made the sacrifice that the Windrush Generation did. I am a child of the Windrush Generation but my mum and dad were such Luton people – and such proud Vincentians as well. They made such wonderful friendships and they worked so hard for the L&D, Vauxhall and Bedford Trucks. They were embedded in the life of the town,” said Alexis, who has since followed in his mother’s footsteps and carved out his own career in the NHS. The experience of two midlife phases of working as a community worker in New Zealand, where Alexis was

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What’s On

Some highlights of activities and events taking place in your town

Every month Luton Wardown Parkrun

Your go-to source for all things great about our town. stepforwardluton.co.uk/ things-to-do-in-luton

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. You can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Every Saturday morning

Swirl Nightclub

Bedfordshire’s biggest disability nightclub. 18+ Last Tuesday of every month 7pm to 10pm Hat Factory Arts Centre culturetrust.com/whats-on

9am

Cost: £6/free carer ticket

Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road

Hat District Lates

lutonwardown@parkrun.com Cost: Free, but please register first

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 culturetrust.com/whats-on Cost: Free

FREE EVENT

Luton

Fireworks Spectacular 6.30pm 8.30pm Display at 7.30pm

Saturday 4 November 2023 Popes Meadow Old Bedford Road Luton

Fairground rides, hot snacks and drinks

Sponsored by

luton.gov.uk/christmas 18

We’re delighted to announce our very special guests this year, courtesy of Luton BID

Utter! Lutonia presents John Hegley A special Christmas performance. Thursday 7 December 8pm to 10:30pm Hat Factory Arts Centre

Father Christmas visits Wardown House

A magical experience at Wardown House, Museum and Gallery. Listen to a festive story from Mother Christmas, meet the elves and receive a special gift from Father Christmas.

Come along for an adventure into the classic fairy tale of Snow White as she meets her Prince Charming. December 2023 – various dates

Saturday 9 December to Saturday 23 December

culturetrust.com/whats-on Cost: £10/£8 + £1 booking fee

Multiple times

Hockwell Christmas Fayre

Wardown House Museum and Gallery culturetrust.com/whats-on

9 December

Cost: £15 child, £6 adult + £1 booking fee

12 – 4pm TBC

Pride in Luton Christmas social meet up

TBC Cost: Free with some paid activities

Peter Pan and Me

Griffin Players Panto Library Theatre

Various times Luton Library Theatre, Luton www.ticketsource.co.uk/ griffinplayers/snow-white-andthe-seven-dwarfs/e-aajgbk Cost: Various

Inspire FM Winter Fair

Come along to the annual Winter Fair with funfair, ice skating and free finger food. 20 to 22 December 2023

Join Pride in Luton to celebrate the festive season with carols and mince pies.

12pm to 4pm

10 December

Full House return this Christmas with a magical, warm hearted family theatre treat. Age guidance: 4+ Saturday 9 December to Sunday 24 December

St. George’s Square, Luton

1pm to 4pm

inspirefm.org or 01582 481810

Hat Factory Arts Centre

Cost: Complimentary food and hot drink. Funfair rides £1 to £3 per person, per ride.

www.prideinluton.org Cost: Free

Multiple times

Stockwood Illuminated

Hat Factory Arts Centre culturetrust.com/whats-on Cost: £11 adult, £9 child + £1 booking fee

A winter light celebration set against the backdrop of the beautiful gardens.

The Bear Club

Friday 15 December to Saturday 23 December

Hugely popular with lovers of jazz, blues and alternative music.

Multiple times

www.the-bear.club

Stockwood Discovery Centre culturetrust.com/whats-on Cost: £7.50 adult, £5.50 concessions + £1 booking fee

Halloween at Brown Books

Hidden Horrors Halloween trail

Creepy crafts

Spooky stories

Halloween arts and crafts

read by ‘A Children’s Story’

PLUS! Guess how many creepy crawlies are in the jar

Visit our website for full details, Visit eventbrite to book creepy crafts and spooky stories! Inside 33@77, 77 High Town Road, Luton LU2 0BW

www.lutonliterature.co.uk

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£30 million investment for London Luton Airport passenger experience London Luton Airport (LLA) has announced investment worth more than £30 million to enhance the passenger experience, introducing an even greater choice of shops, restaurants and facilities. This follows another successful summer, during which 3.3 million passengers used LLA, with four in five rating their overall experience at the airport as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’*. Central to the ongoing investment is the £8 million development of an exciting new, flagship two-storey restaurant. Opening next year, the 500-seat restaurant replaces the former Frankie & Benny’s diner that closed recently and will feature an eye-catching mezzanine floor overlooking the departure lounge. Work on the new restaurant is underway, signalling the latest phase of investment by the airport operator that includes the opening of new shops and restaurants, upgraded toilet and washroom amenities and children’s play area facilities. Work on the new restaurant is taking place alongside the £20 million refurbishment of LLA’s security hall. Set to complete in June 2024, the security hall will be fitted with next-generation security equipment including stateof-the-art body scanners and CT scanner technology, meaning seamless and faster processing for passengers.

looks to provide. This year, we have already invested £12 million in enhancing terminal facilities and we are already seeing the benefits, with excellent passenger feedback on our latest shops, restaurants and upgraded passenger facilities. Throughout the summer, our teams have worked hard to achieve a strong operational performance and our aim throughout this development is to maintain that level of service while ensuring that disruption is minimised.” LLA’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer service to passengers has seen the airport named as UK Customer Experience Awards (CXA) finalist for the third consecutive year. The awards recognise groundbreaking customer service initiatives and best-in-class customer experience. LLA is shortlisted in the ‘Placing Customers at the Heart of Everything’ category and is looking to emulate last year’s success when it received a CXA Silver Award. PA

SSENGERS

3.3m

MMER 202

With its focus on delivering greater choice to passengers, LLA has welcomed several new shops and restaurants to its departure lounge. Fast growing coffeehouse chain Black Sheep Coffee recently chose LLA for its first UK airside airport location and other notable arrivals included multi-brand store Best of Brands and a new landside Café Nero. An exciting new LEGO™ store also opens soon. Alberto Martin, Chief Executive at London Luton Airport, commented: “This exciting phase of development will deliver more enhancements to the simple and friendly passenger experience that London Luton Airport

* Measured as part of ASQ – a globally recognised airport customer service benchmarking programme. Image credit: 3DReid

Neighbourhood Services Roles include: • Grounds Maintenance • Street Cleanser Drivers • Street Cleansers • Refuse Loaders • HGV Class 2 Drivers • Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers

Passenger Transport Unit

Occupational Therapists

Driver/Passenger Assistants provide an essential service in the transporting of passengers, many of whom are vulnerable and may have special needs, to day centres and educational establishments.

This position is based within the Adult Social Care Service. The Adult Social Care Division exists to promote the independence, inclusion and well-being of all adults with social care needs.

Roles we have available:

• M1 - £34,723 - £37,261 a year plus £5,000 market supplement and £963 essential car user allowance (subject to criteria)

• PTU Drivers (must have D1 license) - £11.18p/h • PTU Assistants - £11.18p/h

Salary:

How can I get help from Citizens Advice?

In person @ Community House, 15 New Bedford Road, Luton. No appointment needed

Did you know that we have outreach sessions across Luton? Visit our website for more information

Phone our freephone Adviceline: 0808 278 7847

Get help in a way that works for you

Email advice link available on our website 24/7/365

Find loads of self-help advice on our website, speak to an adviser on the phone, by email or in person.

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Have you ever thought about alcohol or cannabis and wondered: How much is too much?

A few nights a week is ok, isn’t it?

It helps me relax, it isn’t doing any harm, right?

For many, drinking and smoking cannabis becomes a habit and they don’t recognise when the amount becomes difficult to manage. Some recognise the need and desire to change but aren’t sure where to start. Exploring Substance Use (ESU) is a new service offered by ResoLUTiONs. It aims to support people with low level alcohol or cannabis use, who would like to explore how it impacts their health and wellbeing and their day to day lives. The service allows them to engage with ResoLUTiONs through a 6-session programme, on a one to one basis, via either telephone or Zoom. Because ESU is one to one, it’s a confidential and safe space to discuss thoughts and concerns and to make informed decisions on what life style actions would be beneficial. Our specially trained support workers are able to guide and signpost if further support is needed. It can be hard to ask for help. ESU makes it easy, offering a safe space to get the answers and support to make the best choices.

I don’t drink or smoke enough to need support.

Our previous clients said: The program has helped me to… “Better myself!” “Stop drinking, be more vocal and more approachable.” “Properly understand alcohol consumption and how it affects me.” 23

Easy Being Green Dear reader, we know what you’re thinking. ‘Oh no, here’s another dose of eco warrior guff about to be shoved down my throat.’ But PLEASE don’t turn the page just yet. Hear us out first, it could even save you a few bob.

Mulch ado about nothing If you have a tap dripping into your sink, with the waste water trickling down the drain, you might not rush to fix the leak, let alone replace it with a new tap. Yet what if your sink waste is blocked and that unwelcome weep overflows and starts spreading across the floor? Unless you’re amphibious, you would soon leap up to do something about stemming the flow of the effluent escape before it ruined your luxury lino. So why not take the same approach to your household waste? Most of us are producing too much, even though there are so many ways to reduce it. Some households discard up to £50 worth of food waste each month. Some of these items; tea and coffee grounds, egg shells, veg peelings, and so much more, can be used to stiffen your sunflowers or arouse your apple trees in the form of home-made compost. The council has teamed up with www.getcomposting. com to land you a great deal on compost bins. For example, a 220 litre bin can be purchased for just £6.

If you can’t manage a trip to the tidy tip, did you know that the council offers a collection service for those broken pushchairs, mattresses or fridge freezers? Call them on 01582 510333 to arrange a quote or see if you are eligible for a free collection. Naturally, the recycling of unwanted items that still have life left in them, such as clothes and furniture, remains a key area of focus. Don’t bin stuff which others could benefit from - rehome them. Some local charity groups may even collect them for free. Check out www.recyclenow.com and type in your post code for your nearest recycling facility.

Good to hear it. Now there’s a fast solution to rehousing unloved slow cookers and their mechanical cousins. Working or not, anything with a plug, cable or battery can be repaired, reused or recycled. Most electrical retailers will often take your old goods away. Or you can visit www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk for your nearest recycling locator and receive guidance on what to do next. Better still, why not just sell your working appliances, and make some dough from your breadmaker? Or if you don’t want to sell, donate them instead. Lots of charities accept electrical goods and someone, somewhere down the line will give you a huge thank you for your generosity. Keep your eyes peeled later this year for drop off locations in the town such as primary schools, community centres and libraries.

There is renewed push to ‘Fish Out Your FadTech’. In other words, recycle those unwanted electrical appliances from your kitchen cupboards and worktops, living room or even bathroom. Fear not, as your crucial kettle and beloved blender can stay put. But what about the unused popcorn maker and the Remember, if old electric knife sharpener under the sink you electrical products end received as unwanted up in landfill, these presents? Are you really valuable resources of too bashful to bin them? materials are lost forever.

The climate suffers too, as recycling this hardware could cut CO2 emissions equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the road. That’s taking the Metal Mickey.

The next #BuyNothingNewMonth is set in stone for January 2024, and is part of the wider Keep Britain Tidy campaign. Keeping your pennies in your pocket is a no-brainer straight after what can be an expensive festive period. So the campaign is pitched at the perfect time and addresses both the climate emergency and cost of living crisis. The four weeks of January will encourage us to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Throw Away, respectively. You can find out more by visiting keepbritaintidy.org

Energy bills Some of you will be considering taking advantage of the various home insulation schemes available to those who meet the criteria. Grants are available, with all the details you need to know, on the council’s website which will help make your homes more energy efficient. For example, the government’s Energy Companies Obligation Scheme (ECO) aims to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty by adopting a whole house retrofit approach, designed to improve energy efficiency in homes occupied by lower income or vulnerable families.

Luton’s Hat Factory is getting in on the act a little earlier by hosting a Swish event on Saturday 4 November. Swishing is the buzz word for a new way of clothes swapping, and is a great way to give your wardrobe a new lease of life, while benefiting others too. Bring up to five items of decent quality clothing or accessories to the drop-off point at the Hat Factory anytime between 10am – 12.30pm. Depositing each item will land you an equivalent exchange ticket, so five tickets will get you five items when the swap shop re-opens at 1pm.

As temperatures drop, eyes will be drawn once again to our energy bills. These works can take the form of loft, cavity wall or underfloor insulation, external wall insulation, replacement boilers, and draught proofing. More details can be found by visiting www.luton.gov.uk/energy-advice As ever, wherever money changes hands, there will be some unscrupulous scammers trying to cash in and take advantage. Many areas of the town are peppered with hastily-erected scaffolding and packs of foam cladding piled high in front gardens. It is incumbent on the homeowner to ensure that companies working under the current scheme are verified. If they are not on the list then it is very likely the caller on your doorstep could be a rogue trader.

Electric Vehicle update Council plans to deliver over 200 charge points by 2025 are well underway. A network of accessible charge points in convenient locations will give residents without driveways the confidence to own an EV. The installation of new, upgraded charge points across the town centre and at key council car parks continues.

Here are some important points to consider before signing up for any works: •

never agree to work from cold callers or doorstep traders

•

check that the company is registered through a Competent Persons Scheme (CPS)

•

check reviews from any installer

The council does not pay for installations, nor do they have traders acting on their behalf. It simply directs residents to government-funded grants through a portal on the council’s website.

Local Cycling and Walking Plan The council’s Local Cycling and Walking Plan proposes a network of routes to make active travel the natural choice for local journeys. It is working with Active Travel England and other consultants to develop improvements to travel conditions along Leagrave High Street - the first of many sustainable developments to make walking and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around the town. 25

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Welcome to Bedfordshire’s Premier Business Address

Enjoying a beautiful parkland setting at Central Beds Location off the A6 - M1 & A1 accessible in minutes

Offering fully serviced offices on easy-in / easy-out terms, furnished & ready for occupation. 24/7 secure access Ample on-site parking Ultra-fast broadband VoIP telephony and Wi-Fi Our conference facilities can cater for 4 to 60 delegates, with Click Share AV technology, plus catering as required.

Supporting you

Across Luton, community spaces are opening to help you to stay warm and access additional support.

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Call 01525 306000

For more information visit luton.gov.uk/supportingyou

LUTON, SUPPORTING YOU Life can be a grind trying to make ends meet, at the best of times. Yet there could be hundreds of Luton residents reading this very article who may be missing out on regular help that would make life just that little bit easier. And, if you’re thinking that this does not apply to you because you are working, or not claiming benefits – then think again. Luton Supporting You is a partnership initiative where the goal is to point those of you most in need to support services and advice on accessing money, free school meals, free food and free vitamins. No catch!

“There is so much help out there and some people who are eligible aren’t claiming what they are entitled to,” said Deniece Dobson, Programme Coordinator. “We are focused on not just those on benefits but anyone who needs a bit of help.”

Free School Meals

Healthy Start

One of the key areas to raise awareness is the Free School Meals (FSM) which is already available to all in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. However, if you are eligible you must ensure you apply otherwise you are missing out on associated benefits, such as the Energise Holiday Activities and Food (HAF). This programme runs in the Christmas, Easter and Summer breaks, offering free access to daily fun activities for your children – and yes, they get fed too. energiseonline.com

Another awareness drive is aimed at the NHS Healthy Start Scheme (HS), which supports pregnant women and young families to get access to vitamins and essential healthy foods. The HS scheme provides a prepaid payment card, automatically credited with an allowance to buy essentials such as fruit, vegetables and milk.

Support Fund can help families during the holidays, where qualifiers can claim £10 to £15 shopping vouchers per child, per week. Even if you were ineligible in the past, you may be entitled to claim now.

Multivitamins are free if you are pregnant, or have a child under four-years-old. Yet that new baby also entitles you to an £8.50 per week HS allowance, then £4.25 per week per child aged one to four.

Find out more by visiting www.luton.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

Find Food Map ‘Don’t go hungry in Luton’ may seem a bold statement. Yet, whatever your circumstances, it is achievable if you can connect with Food First Luton (FFL). FFL is a network of 102 people and 68 food-associated organisations pooling resources and information, directing those in need of support to local food banks, community spaces and other food-based projects. The details of these have been added to a Find Food Map which is being constantly updated Map. foodfirstluton.co.uk If you are an organisation that provides any type of food support – tell us by emailing foodfirst@luton.gov.uk so we can get you on the map.

Incredibly, there are currently over 1,000 families in Luton who are not claiming this allowance. That's up to £7,000 a week being lost to the local economy. The chances are that you, the reader, may know someone – a friend, neighbour or a relative – who is one of those missing out. Language could be one barrier, or they may just lack the digital confidence to apply online. Can you help them? www.healthystart.nhs.uk

You can find out more about these schemes by visiting luton.gov.uk/supportingyou 27

Think you might be drinking too much? Try these tips to help you drink less and improve your health

Have several alcohol free days per week

Use smaller glasses when you can

Go for low alcohol (ABV%) where possible

Rethink your Drink

Try low or no alcohol options instead

Alternate alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic drinks

If you need support, call Luton Alcohol Helpline - it’s free and confidential Mondays and Thursdays, 5pm to 8pm

0808 1753063 Wednesdays and Saturdays,10am to 3pm luton.gov.uk

No previous experience required. You must be over 18 to apply.

Come and truly belong at Panattoni Park Find out more ocadogroup.careers/logistics 29

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO Luton’s ‘Lost Lionesses’ have received their long overdue recognition as the first women’s team to represent England in a ceremony at Crawley Green Recreation Ground. A blue plaque was unveiled by representatives from the FA and some members of Harry Batt’s pioneering teams, reunited for the event. The England women’s game has enjoyed a stratospheric lift-off in recent years. Yet, if the football authorities had not blocked Luton visionary Batt’s plans for the sport over 50 years ago, we might well already be ahead of the rest of the world by now. By 1971, the women’s game had been banished to park pitches for half a century as the FA staunchly refused to allow the game to develop in their affiliated grounds. Luton bus driver Batt, ably assisted by his wife June, decided to take matters into his own hands and formed Chiltern Valley Ladies FC, and made Crawley Green 30

Recreation Ground in Luton their home. They also formed an unofficial national team, the British Independents, and accepted invitations to play in the 1969 European Cup and 1970 World Cup (both held in Italy), and the 1971 World Cup in Mexico. The travelling squads were largely formed from the nucleus of Chiltern Valley Ladies and their participation in the competition angered the newly-formed WFA, earning the 14-woman squad bans from playing on their return. Batt was subsequently forced out of the game altogether by the new regime. Leah Caleb was at the plaque unveiling ceremony. She was living in High Town and aged just 13 when Batt selected her to go to Mexico, and her story as an earlier trailblazer for the Lionesses is an amazing one.

“I started playing from the age of five in the playground. Then I’d go to the park and play. Then my headmaster at St Matthew’s Primary School, Mr Wall, asked the local authorities if I could play in the boys’ team but I wasn’t allowed to. My mum heard about Chiltern Valley Ladies, so I started playing with them when I was 11,” said Leah. “Harry had an amazing vision about the game, that women and girls could play to a high level, as they now do. He was an interesting man in that he was a linguist, a bus driver and he wrote articles for the local paper. He understood how to network with people and he made contacts with women’s football in Italy as they already had a semi-

professional league there. Then the story continued with him taking his teams abroad to play. Harry just believed in it. He said, ‘One day there will a women’s Arsenal team,’ and a reporter just laughed.” It is difficult to imagine that what was still regarded as a fledgling sport could attract such lucrative sponsorships, yet women’s football was doing just that. Archive photographs of the international tournaments show stadia adorned with advertising boards from a multitude of famous alcohol brands. Indeed, the 1971 Lionesses’ World Cup expenses tab was picked up by Martini & Rossi, a bill which included flights, accommodation and a fortnight’s pre-tournament altitude acclimatisation training in Mexico. The previous trip to Italy was more gruelling however, as the British Independents travelled over land and sea.

“I went to Sicily in 1971 to play Italy and Austria. We were supposed to play Czechoslovakia too, but they couldn’t get visas to leave [their own country]. That meant we got through and went to

Mexico later that year. Harry and June came to see my mum and dad to tell them he wanted me to go, and they allowed me to because they had great trust in them. And they also trusted me to go and enjoy the experience. It was the first time I’d flown,” added Leah. Yet what awaited Leah and her team mates as they touched down in Mexico has become the stuff of folklore. Mexican fans lined the streets in fascination of Batt’s ‘Inglaterra’, who had been hyped up as tournament favourites by the Mexican press. The Lionesses had to train at 7.30am before the searing August heat and lack of oxygen drained their energy. Then, before they knew it, match day was upon them. An encounter with a bruising Argentina side at the iconic Azteca Stadium lay in wait. “We played Argentina at four o’clock in the afternoon. Then, within 24 hours, we played against Mexico. The timeline was ludicrous, and the heat you can only imagine. I remember the stadium and I remember the noise, but that’s about it. There’s a protection mechanism that kicks in with something of that magnitude and keeps you in control.”

“It was huge. The crowd at that final will never be beaten again, by a men’s team or women’s. But it was left out of the timeline in the history of women’s football because it was unofficial.

“Of course it’s now coming to the fore, which is a good thing. When we came back from Mexico the players, depending on their age, were banned for either three months or six months by the Women’s Football Association at the time. “Harry and June’s timing of taking these teams abroad without a shadow of a doubt encouraged the [official] England team of 1972 to be put together by the WFA. There is no coincidence that what Harry achieved forced them to get their act together,” concluded Leah. Batt passed away in 1985, but he was represented at the ceremony by his family.

Unfortunately Batt’s Lionesses, made up mostly with teenagers, succumbed to defeat in both matches. The second match against the host nation had attracted an estimated 90,000 crowd. The final, between Mexico and Denmark (which the visitors won) was watched by over 110,000 people, a record attendance for a women’s football match. 31

Progress George and Usef’s Journey on the Luton DART... The Luton DART has been making waves since its launch in March 2023, promising passengers a swift and convenient connection between Luton Airport Parkway station and London Luton Airport. But how does it fare for those with unique needs, such as the visually impaired? We extended a warm welcome to George Hogman, the ‘Visually Impaired People’s Champion’, as he embarked on a journey with his guide dog, Usef, to put the Luton DART to the test.

A Passion for Advocacy: Meet George Hogman George Hogman is a dedicated advocate for Sight Concern Bedfordshire, tirelessly raising awareness about sight loss and support for the visually impaired. Residing near Leagrave train station in Luton, George is a seasoned train traveller, often relying on Thameslink or East Midlands Railway for his daily commute to Bedford.

George Hogman and Usef confidently board the Luton DART at Luton Airport Parkway, exemplifying accessibility in action.

Paws and

Seamless Integration with Luton DART George’s experience with the Luton DART was notably positive. He found navigating the DART system via Luton Airport Parkway to be remarkably straightforward, and boarding with Usef was equally hassle-free. George shared that the process of registering for his free Luton DART travel was user-friendly, to which he was able to use screen readers on his Android phone to access his tickets.

The Journey

The Verdict: A Perfect 10

As the day of travel arrived, George accessed his tickets via email and conveniently stored them in his Google Wallet. His boarding the DART via Luton Airport Parkway was made effortless with the guidance of Usef along with the tactile paving throughout the Luton DART Parkway station to the platform. A simple scan of the QR code on his ticket using his phone granted him access through the gate. The DART’s announcements were impeccably clear, ensuring that George was well-informed about every aspect of his journey.

When George was asked to rate his overall Luton DART experience, his response was unequivocal - a perfect 10 out of 10. He commended not only the station’s accessibility design but also the staff’s helpfulness and the user-friendly journey navigation. His enthusiasm was evident when he expressed his intention to wholeheartedly recommend the Luton DART to others, highlighting its

convenience and effectiveness in meeting the needs of all travellers. In essence, George and Usef’s journey on the Luton DART stands as a testament to the system’s steadfast dedication to inclusivity and accessibility. Beyond being a mere mode of transportation, the Luton DART represents a pathway to progress and equal opportunities for everyone.

For more information about the Luton DART and registering for your disability concession account please visit lutondart.com/concessions/