Borough of Luton
Luton shown within England
Country	United Kingdom
Constituent area	England
Region	East of England
Ceremonial county	Bedfordshire
Borough	Luton
Government [1]
- Type	Borough
- Mayor	Norris Bullock
- MPs	Kelvin Hopkins (L) Margaret Moran (L)
Area
- Total	16. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The region, also known as the government office region, is currently the highest tier of local government sub-national entity of England, with only one The East of England is one of the nine official Regions of England. The ceremonial counties are areas of England that are appointed a Lord-Lieutenant, and are defined by the government as the Counties for the purposes of the Lieutenancies Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Composition Graphical representation of the House of Commons This is a comparison of the party strengths in the British House of Commons Kelvin Peter Hopkins (born August 22, 1941) is a British Politician and the Labour Member of Parliament for Luton The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Margaret Moran (born on 24 April 1955, in Bethnal Green) is a politician in the United Kingdom. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 7 sq mi (43. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 35 km²)
Population [2]
- Total	202,500
- ethnicity	68. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 0% White 19. 3% S. Asian 7. 9% Black 2. 8% Mixed Race 2. 0% E. Asian and Other
Time zone	GMT (UTC)
- Summer (DST)	Summer Time (British) (UTC)
ONS code	00KA
Website: www.luton.gov.uk

Luton (/ˈluːtən/ (help·info)) is a large town in the east of England, 32 miles (51 kilometres) north of London. Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT) is a term originally referring to mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London Daylight saving time ( DST The East of England is one of the nine official Regions of England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Historically, Luton is within the county of Bedfordshire, and since 1997, the town has been a unitary authority. Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. See also Independent city A unitary authority is a type of Local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all Local government functions Luton, along with its near neighbours of Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of over 230,000. Dunstable is a Market town in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London Houghton Regis is a town sandwiched between the major towns of Luton to the east and Dunstable to the west The Luton/Dunstable Urban Area according to the Office for National Statistics is the Conurbation (continuous built up area including the settlements of ^[3]

Luton is home to Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport, and the University of Bedfordshire. Luton Town Football Club are an English football team based in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. London Luton Airport (previously called Luton International Airport) is an International airport located on the edge of the Town of Luton The University of Bedfordshire is a modern university based in Luton and Bedford The Luton Carnival, held on the late May bank holiday, is the largest one-day carnival in Europe. Luton International Carnival in Luton, Bedfordshire is the largest one-day Carnival event in Europe. A bank holiday is a Public holiday in the United Kingdom and also in the Republic of Ireland. Carnival is a festival season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February and March The town was for many years famous for hat-making and was also home to a large Vauxhall Motors factory; the head office of Vauxhall Motors is still situated in the town. Vauxhall Motors is a British automobile company It is a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation (GM and is part of GM Europe.

Geography and geology

Luton is located in a gap in the eastern part of the Chiltern Hills. The Chiltern Hills are a Chalk Escarpment in Southeast England. The Chilterns themselves are a mixture of chalk from the Cretaceous period^[4] (about 65-146 million years ago) and deposits laid at the southernmost points of the ice sheet during the last ice age (the Warden Hills area can be seen from much of the town). Chalk (ʧɔːk is a soft white porous Sedimentary rock, a form of Limestone composed of the Mineral Calcite. The Cretaceous (kriːˈteɪʃəs, usually abbreviated 'K' for its German translation "Kreide" is a geologic period and system, reaching from the end of An ice sheet is a mass of Glacier Ice that covers surrounding terrain and is greater than 50000 km² (20000 mile²) An ice age is a period of long-term reduction in the Temperature of the Earth 's surface and atmosphere resulting in an expansion of continental Ice sheets Warden Hills is an area of Luton, which is named after the hills overlooking it

Bedfordshire had a reputation for brick making which is now significantly reduced. The brickworks^[5] at Stopsley took advantage of the clay deposits in the east of the town. A Brickworks also known as a brick factory is a factory for the manufacturing of Bricks, from Clay or Shale. Stopsley is a Ward (politics in the north-east of Luton. Originally a hill-top village settlement most of the urbanised part of the Civil parish of Stopsley

The source of the River Lea, part of the Thames Valley drainage basin, is in the Leagrave area of the town. The River Lee or River Lea in England originates in Leagrave Park, Leagrave, Luton in the Chiltern Hills and flows generally southeast The Thames Valley generally implies the region that drains into the River Thames (the Thames catchment) from west of Cirencester to London A drainage basin is an extent of Land where Water from Rain or Snow melt drains downhill into a body of water such as a River, For other uses see Leagrave (disambiguation Leagrave is a former village and now a suburb of Luton in Bedfordshire in the northwest The Great Bramingham Wood surrounds this area. Bramingham is an area of Luton in Bedfordshire. The area is situated in the north of the town and takes its name from Bramingham Farm the farm house of which is now It is classified as ancient woodland; records mention the wood at least 400 years ago. ‘ Ancient Woodland ’ is a term used in the United Kingdom to refer specifically to Woodland dating back to 1600 or before in England and Wales

Opportunities for the town to develop have always been good, since there are few other passes through the hilly area for some miles. This has led to several major roads (including the M1 and the A6) and a major rail-link to be constructed through the town. The M1 is a major south – north Motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where By way of comparison, the railway by-passed nearby Dunstable, which was once a more prosperous town. Dunstable is a Market town in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London

History

Main article: History of Luton

Early history

The earliest settlements in the Luton area were at Round Green and Mixes Hill, where Paleolithic encampments (about 250,000 years old) have been found. This article is about the History of Luton a town located in the south of Bedfordshire, England. The term Paleolithic (or Palaeolithic) (from Greek παλαιός palaios, " Old " and λίθος Lithos, "stone" ^[6] Settlements re-appeared after the ice had retreated in the Mesolithic around 8000 BC. The Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age was a period in the development of human technology in between the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age and the Neolithic or New Stone Age Traces of these settlements have been found in the Leagrave area of the modern town. For other uses see Leagrave (disambiguation Leagrave is a former village and now a suburb of Luton in Bedfordshire in the northwest Remains from the Neolithic (4500-2500 BC in this area) are much more common. The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos A particular concentration of Neolithic burials has been found at Galley Hill. ^[7] The most prominent Neolithic structure is Waulud's Bank - a henge dating from around 3000 BC. Waulud's Bank is a Neolithic Henge in Leagrave, Bedfordshire dating from 3000BC. henge is a prehistoric Architectural structure. In form it is a nearly circular or oval-shaped flat area over 20 Metres (65 feet) in diameter From the Neolithic onwards, the area seems to have been fairly thickly populated, but without any single large settlement.

The first urban settlement nearby was the small Roman town of Durocobrivis at Dunstable, but Roman remains in Luton itself consist only of scattered farmsteads. Dunstable is a Market town in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London ^[8]

The foundation of Luton is usually dated to the 6th century when a Saxon outpost was founded on the River Lea, Lea tun. For their language see Anglo-Saxon language. Anglo-Saxon is the term usually used to describe the invading Tribes in the south The River Lee or River Lea in England originates in Leagrave Park, Leagrave, Luton in the Chiltern Hills and flows generally southeast ^[9]

Luton is recorded in the Domesday Book as Loitone and also as Lintone. The Domesday Book (ˈduːmzdeɪ bʊk also known as Domesday, or Book of Winchester) was the record of the great survey ^[10] Agriculture dominated the local economy and the town's population was around 700-800.

St Marys Church, Luton town centre, founded in 1121 by Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester. Robert 1st Earl of Gloucester (c 1090 &ndash October 31, 1147) was an Illegitimate son of King Henry I of England, and one

In 1121 Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester started work on St Mary's Church in the centre of the town. Robert 1st Earl of Gloucester (c 1090 &ndash October 31, 1147) was an Illegitimate son of King Henry I of England, and one The work was completed by 1137. ^[11] A motte and bailey type castle which gives its name to the modern Castle Street was built in 1139. nA motte-and-bailey is a form of Castle. Many were built in Britain, Ireland and France in the 11th and 12th centuries favored as a relatively The castle was demolished in 1154^[12] and the site is now home to a Matalan store. Matalan is a clothing and homeware store in the United Kingdom. During the Middle Ages Luton is recorded as being home to six watermills. This article is about a type of structure For other locational uses see Milldam. Mill Street, in the town centre, takes its name from one of them. The town centre is the term used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe to refer to the commercial or Geographical centre of

King John (1166-1216) had hired a mercenary soldier, Falkes de Breauté, to act on his behalf. John (24 December 1167 &ndash 19 October 1216 reigned as a King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict who is not a national or a party to the conflict and is "motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by Sir Falkes de Breauté (died 1226 was a British soldier and royal favorite (Breauté is a small town near Le Havre in France. Le Havre is a city in the northwest region of France situated on the right bank of the mouth of the Seine River as it outlets into the Bay of the Seine ) When he married, Falkes de Breauté acquired his wife's house which came to be known as "Fawkes Hall", subsequently corrupted over the years to "Foxhall", then "Vauxhall". In return for his services, King John granted Falkes the manor of Luton. He was also granted the right to bear his own coat of arms and chose the mythical griffin as his heraldic emblem. A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people The griffin is a Legendary creature with the body of a Lion and the head and often wings of an Eagle. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. The griffin thus became associated with both Vauxhall and Luton in the early 13th century. ^[13]

By 1240 the town is recorded as Leueton. The town had an annual market for surrounding villages in August each year, and with the growth of the town a second fair was granted each October from 1338. A fair is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated Carnival or Funfair entertainment

In 1336, much of Luton was destroyed by a great fire, however the town was soon rebuilt.

The agriculture base of the town changed in the 16th century with a brick making industry developing around Luton, many of the older wooden houses were rebuilt in brick. Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture A brick is a block of Ceramic material used in Masonry construction laid using mortar.

17th century

During the English Civil War of the 17th century , in 1645, royalists entered the town and demanded money and goods. The English Civil War (1642-1651 was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists. Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I during the English Civil War ( 1642 &ndash 1651 Parliamentary forces arrived and during the fighting four royalist soldiers were killed and a further twenty-two were captured. " Roundheads " was the Nickname given to the Puritan supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War. A second skirmish occurred three years later in 1648 when a royalist army passed through Luton. A number of royalists were attacked by parliamentary soldiers at an inn on the corner of the current Bridge Street. Most of the royalists escaped but nine were killed.

18th century

The hat making industry began in the 17th century and became synonymous with the town. A hat is a headcovering It may be worn for protection against the elements for religious reasons for safety or as a Fashion accessory. By the 18th century the industry dominated the town. Hats are still produced in the town on a much smaller scale.

Luton Hoo, a nearby large country house was built in 1767 and substantially rebuilt after a fire in 1843. Luton Hoo is a Country house hotel in Bedfordshire, England, on the edge of the town of Luton. The English country house is generally accepted as a large House or Mansion, once in the ownership of an individual who also usually owned another Great It is now a luxury hotel.

19th century

A map of Luton from 1888

The town grew strongly in the 19th century. In 1801 the population was 3,095. ^[14] By 1850 it was over 10,000 and by 1901 it was almost 39,000. Such rapid growth demanded a railway connection but the town had to wait a long time for one. The London and Birmingham Railway (L&BR) had been built through Tring in 1838, and the Great Northern Railway was built through Hitchin in 1852, both bypassing Luton, the largest town in the area. This is about the 19th century railway company For the 21st century train operating company see London Midland The London and Birmingham Railway Tring is a small Market town in the Chiltern Hills in Hertfordshire, England. The Great Northern Railway (GNR was a British railway company established by the London & York Railway Act of 1846 Hitchin is a town in Hertfordshire, England, and has an estimated population of 30360 A branch line connecting with the L&BR at Leighton Buzzard was proposed, but because of objections to release of land, construction terminated at Dunstable in 1848. "Leedon" redirects here For the record label see Leedon Records. It was another ten years before the branch was extended to Bute Street Station, and the first train to Dunstable ran on 3rd May, 1858. Luton Bute Street railway station was built by the Luton Dunstable and Welwyn Junction Railway Company in 1858, which was an extension of the Welwyn and Hertford Railway ^[15] The line was later extended to Welwyn and from 1860 direct trains to King's Cross ran. King's Cross station is a major railway terminus opened in 1852 The Midland Railway was extended from Bedford to St Pancras through Leagrave and Midland Road station and opened on 9 September 1867. The Midland Railway (MR was a Railway company in the United Kingdom, which existed from 1844 to 1922 when it became part of the London Midland and Scottish St Pancras railway station is a major railway station situated in the St Pancras area of Central London between the British Library and King's Cross Leagrave railway station is located in Leagrave, a suburb in the north of Luton in Bedfordshire, England. Luton railway station is located in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. ^[16]

Luton received a gas supply in 1834. Gas street lights were erected and the first town hall was opened in 1847. Gas lighting refers to a technology used to produce light from gas usually methane but also including hydrogen and ethylene A city hall or town hall is the chief administrative building of a City or Town 's administration and usually houses the city or

Newspaper printing arrived in the town in 1854. A newspaper is a written Publication containing News, information and Advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called Newsprint. The year the first public cemetery was opened in the same year. Following a cholera epidemic in 1848 Luton formed a water company and had a complete water and sewerage system by the late 1860s. Cholera, sometimes known as Asiatic cholera or epidemic cholera, is an infectious Gastroenteritis caused by the Bacterium The first covered market was built (the Plait Halls - now demolished) in 1869. Luton was made a borough in 1876. A borough is an Administrative division of various countries In principle the term borough designates a self-governing Township although in practice ^[17] A professional football club - the first in the south of England - was founded in 1885 following a resolution at the Town Hall that a 'Luton Town Club be formed' . ^[18]

In 1876 the town was granted its own coat of arms (see illustration above). The wheat sheaf was used on the crest to represent agriculture and the supply of wheat straw used in the local hatting industry (the straw-plaiting industry was brought to Luton by a group of Scots under the protection of Sir John Napier of Luton Hoo) (It should be noted that the town has historically been home to many Scots (those born in Scotland and their descendents) although that population is now in decline). Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture For other people with the same name see John Napier (disambiguation. Luton Hoo is a Country house hotel in Bedfordshire, England, on the edge of the town of Luton. The bee is traditionally the emblem of industry and the hive represents the straw-plaiting industry for which Luton was famous. The rose is from the arms of the Napier family, whereas the thistle is a symbol for Scotland. This article is about the plant for other uses see Thistle (disambiguation. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain.

The crest also includes a hand holding a bunch of wheat, either taken as a symbol of the straw-plaiting industry, or from the arms of John Whethamsteade, Abbott of St Albans, who rebuilt the chancel of St Mary's Church in the 15th century. Straw plaiting is a method of manufacturing Textiles by Braiding Straw and the industry that surrounds the craft of producing these straw manufactures St Albans is the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London.

20th century

Luton Museum & Art Gallery, Wardown Park, Luton. Luton Museum & Art Gallery in Luton is housed in a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park on the outskirts of the town centre Wardown Park is situated on the River Lea in Luton. The park has various sporting facilities is home to the Luton Museum & Art Gallery and contains

In the 20th century, the hat trade severely declined and was replaced by other industries. In 1905, Vauxhall Motors opened the largest car plant in the United Kingdom in Luton. Vauxhall Motors is a British automobile company It is a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation (GM and is part of GM Europe. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Electrolux built a household appliances plant which was followed by other light engineering businesses. The Electrolux Group is a Swedish Manufacturer of home and professional appliances

In 1904 councillors Asher Hucklesby and Edwin Oakley purchased the estate at Wardown Park and donated it to the people of Luton. Asher Hucklesby was fives-time mayor of Luton, Bedfordshire between 1892 and 1906 and a major hat manufacturer in the town Wardown Park is situated on the River Lea in Luton. The park has various sporting facilities is home to the Luton Museum & Art Gallery and contains Hucklesby went on to become Mayor of Luton. The main house in the park became Luton Museum & Art Gallery. Luton Museum & Art Gallery in Luton is housed in a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park on the outskirts of the town centre

The town had a tram system from 1908 until 1932 and the first cinema was opened in 1909. A tram, tramcar, trolley, trolley car, or streetcar is a railborne vehicle, of lighter weight and construction than a Train Cinemaaustraliajpg|thumb|A movie theater in Australia ]]A movie theater, movie theatre, picture theatre or cinema is a venue By 1914 the population had reached 50,000.

The original town hall was destroyed in 1919 during Peace Day celebrations at the end of World War I. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Local people including many ex-servicemen were unhappy with unemployment and had been refused the use of a local park to hold celebratory events. They stormed the town hall setting it alight (see Luton Town Hall). Luton Town Hall is situated at the junction between Manchester Street Upper George Street and George Street Luton, England; the current building was completed in A replacement building was completed in 1936. London Luton Airport opened in 1938, owned and operated by the council. London Luton Airport (previously called Luton International Airport) is an International airport located on the edge of the Town of Luton

In World War II, the Vauxhall Factory built Churchill tanks^[19] as part of the war effort. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Tank Infantry Mk IV (A22 was a heavy British Infantry tank used in the Second World War, best known for its heavy armour and its use as the In Politics and Military planning, a war effort refers to a coordinated Mobilization of society's resources&mdashboth industrial and Despite heavy camouflage, the factory made Luton a target for the Luftwaffe and the town suffered a number of air raids. ( German 'luftvafe is a generic German term for an Air force. Strategic bombing is a Military strategy used in a Total war with the goal of defeating an enemy nation-state by destroying its economic ability to wage war rather Although only 107 people died^[20] there was extensive damage to the town and over 1,500 homes were damaged or destroyed. Other industry in the town, such as SKF which produced ball bearings, made a vital contribution to the war effort. SKF, Svenska Kullagerfabriken AB, later AB SKF, is a Swedish bearing Company founded in 1907 supplying bearings seals A ball bearing is an engineering term referring to a type of Rolling-element bearing which uses Balls to maintain the separation between the moving parts Although a bomb landed at the SKF Factory^[21] no major damage was inflicted.

Luton Town Centre still has many of the old hat factories, many of which have been converted into apartments or office space

Post-war, the slum clearance continued and a number of substantial estates of council housing were built, notably at Farley Hill, Stopsley, Limbury, Marsh Farm and Leagrave (Hockwell Ring). Urban Renewal (similar to Urban Regeneration in British English) is a controversial U The council house is a form of public or social housing in the United Kingdom. Farley Hill is a Post-war Housing estate in south Luton, Bedfordshire, England. Stopsley is a Ward (politics in the north-east of Luton. Originally a hill-top village settlement most of the urbanised part of the Civil parish of Stopsley Limbury, or using the full name Limbury-cum-Biscot was a Civil parish in Bedfordshire before becoming part of Luton and has a long history dating back before the Norman Marsh Farm is a large Housing estate in Luton, Bedfordshire near to Leagrave and Limbury, mainly of council and Social housing For other uses see Leagrave (disambiguation Leagrave is a former village and now a suburb of Luton in Bedfordshire in the northwest Hockwell Ring is a 1950s and 1960s built Council estate in the Leagrave area of Luton, Bedfordshire. The M1 motorway passed just to the west of the town in 1959. The M1 is a major south – north Motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where In 1962 a new library (to replace the cramped Carnegie Library) was opened by the Queen in the corner of St George's Square. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II

In the late 1960s a large part of the town centre was cleared to build a large covered shopping centre, the Arndale Centre, which was opened in 1972. Arndale Centres were the first "American-style" malls to be built in the United Kingdom. ^[22], becoming the first shopping mall in Europe. It was refurbished and given a glass roof in the 1990s.

In 2000, Vauxhall announced the end of car production in Luton; the plant closed in March 2002. ^[23] At its peak it had employed in excess of 30,000 people.

21st century

A major regeneration programme for the town centre is underway, which will include upgrades to the town's bus and train stations as well as general improvements to the town's urban environment. St George's Square has been rebuilt^[24] and reopened in 2007. The new design won a Gold Standard Award for the Town Centre Environment from the annual British Council of Shopping Centres awards. ^[25]

Work is beginning on an extension to the Mall shopping centre facing St Georges Square, The Mall has already let the largest of the new units to TK Maxx. Planning applications for a much larger extension to The Mall Arndale shopping centre (In the Northern gateway area - Bute Stret, Silver Street and Guildford Street)and also for a new centre in Power Court^[26] (close to St Marys Church) have been submitted. On the edge of Luton at Putteridge Bury a new high-technology office park, Butterfield Green, is under construction. Putteridge Bury is a Country house on the edge of the built-up area of Luton, Bedfordshire, England but actually over the county boundary in Butterfield Green is an area on the edge of Luton, England. It is the location for the new 85 acre Butterfield Business and Technology Park. The former Vauxhall site is also to be re-developed as a mixed use site called Napier Park. It will feature housing, retail and entertainment use, including a new casino. A Regional Casino, more commonly known as a Super Casino (or occasionally known as Mega Casino or variants is the term given to the largest category of Casino

Places within Luton

Main article: Places within Luton

Luton's expansion has resulted in the merging of several of its neighbouring villages and hamlets. List of places within Luton is a link page for places in Luton, England. Several new estates have also been constructed.

Former villages and hamlets: Biscot, Crawley Green, Leagrave, Limbury, Round Green, Stopsley

Early expansion of Luton: Bury Park, High Town, New Town

New estates: Bramingham, Bushmead, Farley Hill, Hockwell Ring, Lewsey, Marsh Farm, Sundon Park, Warden Hills, Wigmore

Politics

Main article: Politics in Luton

Luton is represented by two Members of Parliament. for the French actor see Georges Biscot Biscot is an area of Luton close to the town centre Crawley Green is a ward in the southern part of Luton near to London Luton Airport. For other uses see Leagrave (disambiguation Leagrave is a former village and now a suburb of Luton in Bedfordshire in the northwest Limbury, or using the full name Limbury-cum-Biscot was a Civil parish in Bedfordshire before becoming part of Luton and has a long history dating back before the Norman Round Green is a Ward (politics in the north-east of Luton Formerly a small hamlet between Biscot, Leagrave and Stopsley, Round Green is one Stopsley is a Ward (politics in the north-east of Luton. Originally a hill-top village settlement most of the urbanised part of the Civil parish of Stopsley Bury Park is located one mile due east of Luton town centre on the road to Dunstable. High Town is a hilly district of Luton adjacent to Luton railway station and extends in a north easterly direction towards Hitchin. ' New Town' is a district of Luton just south east of the town centre between Castle Street the main route to London and the M1 motorway on one side Bramingham is an area of Luton in Bedfordshire. The area is situated in the north of the town and takes its name from Bramingham Farm the farm house of which is now Bushmead is an area within the Barnfield ward of Luton, England. Farley Hill is a Post-war Housing estate in south Luton, Bedfordshire, England. Hockwell Ring is a 1950s and 1960s built Council estate in the Leagrave area of Luton, Bedfordshire. Lewsey is a residential area of Luton, near the Luton and Dunstable NHS hospital Marsh Farm is a large Housing estate in Luton, Bedfordshire near to Leagrave and Limbury, mainly of council and Social housing Sundon Park is an area of north Luton in Bedfordshire. The name is taken from the nearby villages of Upper Sundon and Lower Sundon, and the estate Warden Hills is an area of Luton, which is named after the hills overlooking it For other locatations called Wigmore see Wigmore. Wigmore is a new estate situated on the outskirts of Luton near to Luton Airport. Luton, England, is a Unitary authority, and remains part of the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. The constituency of Luton North has been held by Kelvin Hopkins (Labour) since 1997. Luton North is a Borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Kelvin Peter Hopkins (born August 22, 1941) is a British Politician and the Labour Member of Parliament for Luton Luton South has been held by Margaret Moran (Labour) also since 1997. Luton South is a County constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Margaret Moran (born on 24 April 1955, in Bethnal Green) is a politician in the United Kingdom. Luton is within the East of England (European Parliament constituency). East of England is a Constituency of the European Parliament.

Historically Luton was part of the county of Bedfordshire, but since 1997 the town has been an administratively independent unitary authority. Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. See also Independent city A unitary authority is a type of Local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all Local government functions The town remains part of Bedfordshire for ceremonial purposes. The ceremonial counties are areas of England that are appointed a Lord-Lieutenant, and are defined by the government as the Counties for the purposes of the Lieutenancies

The local authority is Luton Borough Council. Luton, England, is a Unitary authority, and remains part of the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire. The town is split into 19 wards, represented by 48 councillors. In Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a ward is an Electoral district Elections are held for all seats every four years, with the most recent local elections held in May 2007 and the next due in May 2011.

Demographics

The United Kingdom Census 2001 showed that Luton had a population of 184,371, a 5. A nationwide Census, commonly known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday 29 April 2001 8% increase from the last census. Of this, 43,324 were under 15, 131,660 were between 16 and 74 and 9387 were over 74. ^[27] The Office for National Statistics mid-year estimate of the 2006 population is 186,800. The Office for National Statistics (ONS is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-ministerial department which reports directly However, the Luton Borough Council Research and Intelligence Team criticise this figure as understating the recent immigration from Eastern Europe, and they estimate the true figure to be "in the region of 202,500". ^[28]

Local inhabitants are known as Lutonians.

Ethnicity

68% of the inhabitants in Luton are White (61. According to the 2001 census the total population of the United Kingdom was 58789194 - the third-largest in the European Union (behind Germany and metropolitan 3% White British, 3. " White British " was a racially -based classification used by the 2001 census. 9% White Irish, 2. Irish migration to Britain (also known as the Br[[Irish people|irish]]) has a lengthy history due to the close proximity of and complex relationship between 8% Other White). " White Other " is a term used in the UK census to describe white persons of non- British and non- Irish descent in 19. 3% of Luton's population claim to be of South Asian descent (9. British Asians are British citizens who are immigrants or descendants of immigrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka 8% Pakistani, 4. 3% Bangladeshi, 4. ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially 2% Indian and 0. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country 9% Other South Asian). British Asians are British citizens who are immigrants or descendants of immigrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka In total, 7. 9% claim to be Black (of which 4. See also British African-Caribbean community, Caribbean British Black British is a term which has had different meanings and uses as a racial and political 2% are Black Caribbean, 3. 3% Black African and 0. The term black people usually refers to a racial group of Humans with dark Skin color, but the term has also been used to categorise a number of diverse 5% Other Black). See also British African-Caribbean community, Caribbean British Black British is a term which has had different meanings and uses as a racial and political 2. 8% of Luton's population are of two or more races, 1. Mixed Race was included as an ethnic classification on the UK Census from 2001. 4% of people are of Chinese descent, and around 0. British Chinese, including British-born Chinese (often informally referred to as BBC) are people of Chinese ancestry who were born in or have migrated 6% belong to another ethnic group (including other Orientals, Arabs and Latin Americans). Since the 17th century there have been East Asian people in Britain. British Arabs are people in the United Kingdom who were born in or have ancestry from the Arab world. Latin American Britons are British people who were either born in Latin America or who have Latin American Ancestors Significant migration ^[29]

Religion

According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, 59% of the inhabitants in Luton are Christian, 21% have no religion and 15% are Muslim. A nationwide Census, commonly known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday 29 April 2001 A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion ^[30]

Economic activity

Of the town's working population (classified 16-74 years of age by the Office for National Statistics), 63% are employed. The Office for National Statistics (ONS is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-ministerial department which reports directly This figure includes students, the self-employed and those who are in part-time employment. 11% are retired, 8% look after the family or take care of the home and 5% are unemployed. ^[31]

Economy

Main article: Economy of Luton

Luton Town Hall, George Street, Luton

Luton's economy has focused on several different areas of industry including Car Manufacture and millinery. This article is about the Economy of Luton Over the centuries due to technological and economic change Luton's economy has changed and developed to keep pace with the rest Luton Town Hall is situated at the junction between Manchester Street Upper George Street and George Street Luton, England; the current building was completed in The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design development manufacture marketing and sale of Motor vehicles In 2007 more than 73 million motor vehicles However, today, Luton is moving towards a service based economy mainly in the retail and the airport sectors, although there is still a focus on light industry in the town. An airport is a location where Aircraft such as airplanes, Helicopters and blimps take off and land

Notable firms with offices in Luton include:

• Anritsu - electronics
• AstraZeneca - pharmaceuticals
• BAE Systems - aerospace
• easyJet - head office (easyLand and Hangar 89) and main base at London Luton Airport
• Ernst & Young - accountants
• Monarch Airlines - headquarters, at Luton Airport
• Mazars - accountants
• Siemens AG - electronics
• Thomson Holidays - travel
• Whitbread - hospitality
• Vauxhall Motors - headquarters

Shopping

The main shopping area in Luton is centred around The Mall Arndale. is a Japanese corporation that is a major presence in the test and measurement market AstraZeneca PLC (,) is a large Anglo-Swedish Pharmaceutical company formed on 6 April 1999 by the remerger of Swedish Astra AB BAE Systems plc (BAE is a British defence and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, England, that has global interests particularly EasyJet Airline Company Limited, styled as easyJet, is a low cost airline based at London Luton Airport. London Luton Airport (previously called Luton International Airport) is an International airport located on the edge of the Town of Luton Ernst & Young is one of the largest Professional services firms in the world and one of the Big Four auditors, along with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC, Monarch Airlines is a British charter and scheduled Airline based in Luton, England. Mazars is an international Accounting and audit firm with its head office based in France. Thomson Holidays is a UK based travel operator and part of TUI Travel PLC. This article is about the Whitbread company For the sailing race see Volvo Ocean Race. Vauxhall Motors is a British automobile company It is a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation (GM and is part of GM Europe. The Mall Fund owns and operates a number of Shopping malls in the UK and uses the trading name "The Mall Company" The shopping centres are usually branded as Built in the 1960s/70's and opened as an Arndale Centre, construction of the shopping centre led to the demolition of a number of the older buildings in the town centre including the Plait Halls (a Victorian covered market building with an iron and glass roof). Arndale Centres were the first "American-style" malls to be built in the United Kingdom. Shops and businesses in the remaining streets, particularly in the roads around Cheapside and in High Town, have been in decline ever since. George Street, on the south side of the Arndale, was pedestrianised in the 1990s.

Another major shopping area is Bury Park where there are shops catering to Luton's ethnic minorities. Bury Park is located one mile due east of Luton town centre on the road to Dunstable.

Food and drink

Luton has a diverse selection of restaurants - English, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Caribbean, Thai and Malaysian to name a few. English Cuisine is shaped by the country's temperate climate its island geography and its history Italian cuisine as a national Cuisine known today has evolved through centuries of social and political changes with its roots traced back to 4th century BC Chinese cuisine ( Traditional Chinese: 中國菜 Simplified Chinese: 中国菜 originated from the various regions of China and has become widespread in Caribbean cuisine is a fusion of African, Amerindian, British, Spanish, French, Dutch, Indian. Malaysian cuisine reflects the multi-racial aspects of Malaysia. No area of the town is specifically restaurant-orientated, but in some areas (such as Bury Park) there is a concentration of Asian restaurants. Bury Park is located one mile due east of Luton town centre on the road to Dunstable.

There are pubs and clubs in the town centre. A number of these cater for the town's student population; however, there are still a number of traditional pubs in the town.

Education

Main article: Education in Luton

University of Bedfordshire - Luton

Luton is home to the University of Bedfordshire. Here is a list of every Educational Institute in Luton. There are only articles for the Secondary Schools and Further Education Institutes: Nursery Schools The University of Bedfordshire is a modern university based in Luton and Bedford The main campus of the University is in Luton town centre with a further campus based on the edge of town in Putteridge Bury, an old Victorian manor house. Putteridge Bury is a Country house on the edge of the built-up area of Luton, Bedfordshire, England but actually over the county boundary in The term Victorian architecture can refer to one of a number of Architectural styles predominantly employed during the Victorian era. The University also owns several buildings in Bedford. Bedford is the County town of Bedfordshire, England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the Bedford borough

The town is home to Luton Sixth Form College and Barnfield College. Luton Sixth Form College is a Sixth form college situated in Luton, England. Barnfield College is a sixth form and is the largest college in Bedfordshire and Luton, with four centres in Luton and one in Bedford. Both have been awarded Learning & Skills Beacon Status by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The Department for Children Schools and Families ( DCSF) is a British government department created on 28 June 2007 following the disbanding of the ^[32][33]

There are 98 educational institutes in Luton - seven Nurseries, 70 Primary schools (9 Voluntary-Aided, 2 Special Requirements), 13 Secondary Schools (1 Voluntary-Aided, 1 Special Requirements), four Further Educational Institutes and four other Educational Institutes. A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of three and five staffed by qualified teachers and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than Primary education is the first stage of Compulsory education. A voluntary aided school is a school in England where the governing body, as opposed to the Local Education Authority, employs the staff and decides the Special Education is the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures adapted equipment and materials accessible settings and other interventions Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational Institution where the final stage of compulsory schooling known as Secondary education, takes Further education (often abbreviated "FE" is Post-secondary Education (in addition to that received at Secondary school) that is distinct from ^[34]

Culture and leisure

Main article: Culture in Luton

Sport

Luton is the home town of Luton Town Football Club who play in the Coca-Cola Football League One,^[35] the 3rd Flight of the English league structure. Luton Town Football Club are an English football team based in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Coca-Cola Football League 1 for sponsorship reasons is the second-highest division of The Football Their nickname, "The Hatters", dates back to when Luton had a substantial millinery industry. A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name.

Speedway racing was staged in Luton in the mid 1930s.

The town has three rugby clubs - Luton RFC play in National 3 South, Vauxhall Motors RFC play in London 3 NW and Stockwood Park play in Midlands 4 SE.

Parks

Wardown Park

A pedestrian suspension bridge spans the boating lake in Wardown Park. This article is concerned with a particular type of suspension bridge the suspended-deck type

Main article: Wardown Park

Wardown Park is situated on the River Lea in Luton and is an oasis of calm within walking distance of the town centre offering sporting facilities, a museum, gallery and formal gardens. Wardown Park is situated on the River Lea in Luton. The park has various sporting facilities is home to the Luton Museum & Art Gallery and contains The River Lee or River Lea in England originates in Leagrave Park, Leagrave, Luton in the Chiltern Hills and flows generally southeast The park houses the museum. Luton Museum & Art Gallery in Luton is housed in a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park on the outskirts of the town centre ^[36] Swans, ducks and geese live on the lake which is the centrepiece of the park.

Stockwood Park

Stockwood Park, Luton

Main article: Stockwood Park

Stockwood Park is a large municipal park near Junction 10 of the M1. Stockwood Park is a large Urban park in Luton, Bedfordshire near to Junction 10 of the M1 motorway and is acclaimed for its period formal gardens Stockwood Park is a large Urban park in Luton, Bedfordshire near to Junction 10 of the M1 motorway and is acclaimed for its period formal gardens The M1 is a major south – north Motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where The park houses the craft museum, the Mossman Collection and the period formal gardens which are all free of charge for visitors. Stockwood Craft Museum is based in Stockwood Park, Luton, Bedfordshire. The Mossman Carriage Collection is a museum housing a collection of horse drawn vehicles in Stockwood Park, Luton, Bedfordshire. There is an athletics track, an 18-hole golf course, several rugby pitches and areas of open space.

The park was originally the estate and grounds to Stockwood house, which was demolished in 1964.

Luton Carnival

Main article: Luton Carnival

Luton Carnival is the largest one-day carnival in Europe. Luton International Carnival in Luton, Bedfordshire is the largest one-day Carnival event in Europe. Luton International Carnival in Luton, Bedfordshire is the largest one-day Carnival event in Europe. Carnival is a festival season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February and March It usually takes place on the late May Bank Holiday. With good weather, crowds usually top 150,000^[37] on each occasion.

The procession starts at Wardown Park and makes its way down New Bedford Road, around the Town Centre via St George's Square, back down New Bedford Road and finishes back at Wardown Park. Wardown Park is situated on the River Lea in Luton. The park has various sporting facilities is home to the Luton Museum & Art Gallery and contains The procession is complemented by music stages and stalls around the town centre and at Wardown Park.

Theatre

Luton is home to "The Library Theatre", a 238 seat theatre located on the 3rd floor of the town's Central Library. The Theatre's core programme consists of local amateur dramatic societies, pantomime, children's theatre (on Saturday mornings) and one night shows of touring theatre companies. ^[38]

Local attractions

Key
	Abbey/Priory/Cathedral
	Accessible open space
	Amusement/Theme Park
	Castle
	Country Park
	English Heritage
	Forestry Commission
	Heritage railway
	Historic House
	Museums (free/not free)
	National Trust
	Zoo

Transport

East Midlands Mainline train approaching Luton Parkway station

Luton has excellent transport links and is situated less than 30 miles north of the centre of London, giving it good links with the City and other parts of the country via the motorway network and the National Rail system. Abbeys and priories in England lists Abbeys priories, friaries and other Monastic religious houses in England. This is a list of amusement parks which are or were based in the UK This page lists Castles in England. Bedfordshire Berkshire Bristol A country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment English Heritage is a Non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government ( Department for Culture Media and Sport) with a broad remit of The Forestry Commission (established in 1919 is a Non-ministerial government department responsible for Forestry in Great Britain. A heritage railway ( United Kingdom) preserved railway ( United Kingdom) or tourist railroad ( United States and Canada) is a Historic houses in England is a link page for any Stately home, Country house or other Historic house in England. A museum is a "permanent institution in the service of society and of its development open to the public which acquires conserves researches communicates and exhibits the The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organization in England, Wales The following is a partial list of zoological gardens ( Zoos: Africa Algeria Algiers Zoo Oran Zoo The Dunstable and Whipsnade Downs (usually known as the Dunstable Downs) are a 73 The Chiltern Hills are a Chalk Escarpment in Southeast England. Luton Museum & Art Gallery in Luton is housed in a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park on the outskirts of the town centre Luton Hoo is a Country house hotel in Bedfordshire, England, on the edge of the town of Luton. The Mossman Carriage Collection is a museum housing a collection of horse drawn vehicles in Stockwood Park, Luton, Bedfordshire. Someries Castle (sometimes spelled Summeries castle) is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, in the Parish of Hyde near the town of Luton, in the county Stockwood Craft Museum is based in Stockwood Park, Luton, Bedfordshire. Wardown Park is situated on the River Lea in Luton. The park has various sporting facilities is home to the Luton Museum & Art Gallery and contains Waulud's Bank is a Neolithic Henge in Leagrave, Bedfordshire dating from 3000BC. Whipsnade Tree Cathedral is a 95 acre (38000 m² garden in the village of Whipsnade in Bedfordshire, England. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is a Zoo located at Whipsnade, near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. Woodside Farm and Wildfowl Park is a rare breeds farm and Wildfowl park at Slip End near Luton in South Bedfordshire. Wrest Park is a country estate located near Silsoe, Bedfordshire, England. East Midlands Trains ( EMT) is a train operating company operating in the United Kingdom. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. For London as a whole see the main article London. The City of London is a geographically Motorway is a term for both a type of Road and a classification or designation National Rail is a brand name of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC Luton is also home to London Luton Airport, one of the major feeder airports for London and the southeast. London Luton Airport (previously called Luton International Airport) is an International airport located on the edge of the Town of Luton Luton is also served by a bus service run by Arriva and a large taxi network. Arriva plc ( is a British -based international public transport operator headquartered in Sunderland. A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of Public transport for a single passenger or small group of passengers typically for a non-shared ride As a Unitary Authority, Luton Borough Council is responsible for the local highways and public transport in the Borough and licensing of Taxis. See also Independent city A unitary authority is a type of Local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all Local government functions Luton, England, is a Unitary authority, and remains part of the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Before adding any more images to this * * page please do carefully consider * * whether they would be mere decoration * * or actually improve

History

The A5 road which passes through nearby Dunstable is laid on the route of the Watling Street, an ancient route of England. Dunstable is a Market town in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London Watling Street is the name given to an Ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Celts mainly between the modern

Construction of the first section of the M1 in 1959 resulted in Luton being one of the first towns in the United Kingdom to benefit from the new motorway network. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

Luton and Leagrave stations were built by the Midland Railway in 1868 on its extension to St. Pancras. Luton railway station is located in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. Leagrave railway station is located in Leagrave, a suburb in the north of Luton in Bedfordshire, England. The Midland Railway (MR was a Railway company in the United Kingdom, which existed from 1844 to 1922 when it became part of the London Midland and Scottish Year 1868 ( MDCCCLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap St Pancras railway station is a major railway station situated in the St Pancras area of Central London between the British Library and King's Cross The old Leagrave Midland station buildings still exist, having been carefully restored in the 1980s. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) For some years Luton station was known as Luton Midland Road to distinguish it from the earlier Luton Bute Street, built by the Luton, Dunstable and Welwyn Junction Railway Company in 1858, later part of the GNR. Luton Bute Street railway station was built by the Luton Dunstable and Welwyn Junction Railway Company in 1858, which was an extension of the Welwyn and Hertford Railway Year 1858 ( MDCCCLVIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common The Great Northern Railway (GNR was a British railway company established by the London & York Railway Act of 1846 Bute Street was closed in 1965. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.

A council-owned airport was first opened on the current site as Luton Municipal Airport on 16 July 1938^[39] by the Secretary of State for Air, Kingsley Wood. Events 622 - The beginning of the Islamic calendar. 1054 - Three Roman legates fractured relations between the Western and Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Secretary of State for Air was a cabinet level British position in charge of the Air Ministry. Sir Howard Kingsley Wood ( 19 August 1881 &ndash 21 September 1943) was a Conservative politician in the United Kingdom During the Second World War Luton Airport was a base for the Royal Air Force 264 Fighter Squadron. ^[40]

Air

London Luton Airport

Main article: London Luton Airport

London Luton Airport has expanded rapidly over the last few years. London Luton Airport (previously called Luton International Airport) is an International airport located on the edge of the Town of Luton London Luton Airport (previously called Luton International Airport) is an International airport located on the edge of the Town of Luton London Luton Airport (previously called Luton International Airport) is an International airport located on the edge of the Town of Luton ^[41] The airport is a hub for budget airlines offering cheap flights. Flights from the airport increased substantially from the 1960s as new charter airlines (e. A charter airline, also sometimes referred to as an Air taxi, operates Aircraft on a charter basis that is flights that take place outside normal schedules by a g. Court Line) flew from there in preference to the London airports. Court Line was a prominent British Holiday Charter Airline during the early 1970s based at Luton Airport in Bedfordshire Despite problems in the 1970s, a new terminal was opened in 1985 by the Prince of Wales. ^[40] The airport was renamed London Luton Airport in 1990, just before Ryanair took its business to Stansted. Ryanair (,) is an Irish Airline with headquarters in Dublin and its biggest operational base at London Stansted Airport in the UK London Stansted Airport is a passenger Airport located in the Uttlesford District of the English County of Essex about 38 miles (61 The growth of new low-cost flights rejuvenated the airport and passenger numbers more than doubled from 1992 to 1998. In 1999, a new terminal was added and a new railway station, Luton Airport Parkway, opened. Services The typical off-peak service from this station is as follows 4 tph to Brighton via London and Gatwick Airport ( First ^[40] The airport is managed by a Spanish airport operator on behalf of the council.

The airport is infamous for its inclusion in a 1970s advert for Campari featuring Lorraine Chase. Campari is an alcoholic (alcohol 205% 41 proof Aperitif obtained from the infusion of sixty ingredients combined and macerated in a blend of distilled water Lorraine Chase (born July 16, 1951) is an English Actress and model. ^[42] (When asked "Were you truly wafted here from paradise?" she replied "Nah, Luton Airport!")

Luton Airport is also a major base for private jets.

Rail

Leagrave railway station

Luton is served by three railway stations, Luton, Luton Airport Parkway and Leagrave, all on the same line. Leagrave railway station is located in Leagrave, a suburb in the north of Luton in Bedfordshire, England. Luton railway station is located in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. Services The typical off-peak service from this station is as follows 4 tph to Brighton via London and Gatwick Airport ( First Leagrave railway station is located in Leagrave, a suburb in the north of Luton in Bedfordshire, England. First Capital Connect's high frequency Thameslink route services run north to Bedford and south to Brighton via several central London stations. First Capital Connect (FCC is a passenger train operating company in England that began operations on the National Rail network on 1 April 2006 Thameslink is a fifty-station line in the British railway system running north to south from Bedford to Brighton through the Snow Hill tunnel Brighton ( is a town on the south coast of England and with its neighbour Hove, forms the city of Brighton and Hove. East Midlands Mainline 'intercity' services run north to Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln, Sheffield, Leeds and other cities, and south to London St Pancras International on the Midland Main Line. East Midlands Trains ( EMT) is a train operating company operating in the United Kingdom. Leicester (ˈlɛstə is the largest city and Unitary authority area in the East Midlands of England, and is the traditional Nottingham ( is a city in the Ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire, England. Lincoln (ˈlɪŋkən is a Cathedral city and County town of Lincolnshire, England. Sheffield ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England Leeds ( is located on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England St Pancras railway station is a major railway station situated in the St Pancras area of Central London between the British Library and King's Cross The Midland Main Line is a major railway line in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.

There are plans to introduce 24-hour rail services to Luton and Luton Airport Parkway. ^[43] The Thameslink Programme will also provide further rail links to southwards to Guildford, East Grinstead, Ashford, Dartford and the South Coast. The Thameslink Programme, formerly known as Thameslink 2000, is a £5 Guildford ( IPA /ˈgɪlfəd/ is the County town of Surrey, England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the East Grinstead (archaically spelt Grimstead) is a town and Civil parish in the northeastern corner of Mid Sussex, West Sussex in England The town of Ashford lies on the River Great Stour, M20 motorway, South Eastern Main Line and High Speed 1 railways in the borough of Ashford Dartford is the principal town in the borough of Dartford. It is situated in the northwest corner of Kent, England, 16 miles (25 km east south-east ^[44]

Bus and coach services

Bus services in Luton are provided in the main [2] by the national group Arriva, through their registered company Arriva The Shires Ltd, based in Luton. Arriva plc ( is a British -based international public transport operator headquartered in Sunderland. Arriva Shires & Essex is a division of Arriva and one of many private operators of London Buses. Other significant local operators include Centrebus [3], and Grant Palmer. Centrebus is a privately owned company that operate a number of services around Leicester and Leicestershire, Grantham, Hertfordshire and Uno operate bus services to the Hatfield campus of the University of Hertfordshire. Uno (formerly UniversityBus) is a Bus service operated by the University of Hertfordshire, England, serving members of the general public The University of Hertfordshire is a modern university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university Stagecoach runs services to Bedford using its Stagecoach in Bedford subsidiary. Stagecoach Group plc ( is a leading international transport group operating Bus, Train, Tram, express coach and Ferry operations Stagecoach in Bedford is the sector of the Stagecoach Group that operates buses in Bedford, Bedfordshire and is the trading name of the United Counties Stagecoach also operates the Virgin Trains Express Coach service VT99 from Luton Airport and Luton station to Milton Keynes Central. Virgin Trains is a Train operating company in the United Kingdom, which currently provides services from London Euston to the North West Milton Keynes Central is a Railway station that serves the central area of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Regional and commuter coach services from Luton are operated by National Express, Marshall's Coaches and Green Line Coaches. National Express Group plc ( is a UK -based Transport group with headquarters in London that operates Bus, coach, rail Green Line Coaches is a long-distance commuter coach-operating company part of the Arriva group operating services from London.

Guided bus link

Main article: List of guided busways and BRT systems in the United Kingdom

As part of the Local Transport Plan, Luton Borough Council gained statutory powers in 2005 for construction of a guided bus link between Luton and Houghton Regis and Dunstable. This is a list of the past present planned or abandoned Guided bus systems or Bus rapid transit schemes in the United Kingdom, including notable segregated Local transport plans, divided into full local transport plans ( LTP) and local implementation plans for transport ( LIP) are an important Luton, England, is a Unitary authority, and remains part of the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire. Guided buses are Buses steered for part or all of their route by external means usually on a dedicated track. Houghton Regis is a town sandwiched between the major towns of Luton to the east and Dunstable to the west Dunstable is a Market town in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London ^[45] Originally conceived as Translink the scheme is now known as the Luton to Dunstable Busway. ^[46]

As the scheme is to use much of former permanent way of the disused Luton to Dunstable railway, which closed in 1989,^[47] it has met with considerable opposition^[48] from parties that would rather see the re-instatement of heavy rail services along the branch, or by extending the Thameslink railway line farther afield. The permanent way means the physical elements of the railway line itself generally the pairs of rails typically laid on sleepers embedded in ballast intended to carry the ordinary Thameslink is a fifty-station line in the British railway system running north to south from Bedford to Brighton through the Snow Hill tunnel Others put forward the view that light rail or trolleybus systems were more appropriate for running on the high speed link, and for linking to a major airport. For specific light rail systems many of which use the words "light rail" as part of their name see List of light-rail transit systems. Supporters pointed out that no funding could be gained for the proposed alternatives, which would leave the link unused; and the guided bus had the advantages of flexibility and accessibility from local areas. In 2000, council publicity material for the Translink proposal triggered a complaint to the Advertising Standards Agency alleging misleading statements. The complaint was partially upheld. ^[49]

Road

Luton is connected to the major arterial route, the M1 motorway, and the other major roads, the A6 and the A505. The M1 is a major south – north Motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where The A505 is an A-class road in the United Kingdom. It runs from a junction with the A4146 just south of Leighton Buzzard through to Luton

The M1 connects with Luton at Junctions 10 and 11, to the south and west of the town. The M1 provides access to London and the North. The A6 starts in the town and travels north to Bedford and eventually the North West. Bedford is the County town of Bedfordshire, England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the Bedford borough The A6 previously extended south to St Albans, this section has since been re-numbered as the A1081. St Albans is the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London. The A505 provides an east–west connection through Luton, to Hitchin and further east to the A1(M) or East Anglia; and to Dunstable and the A5 to the west. Hitchin is a town in Hertfordshire, England, and has an estimated population of 30360 East Anglia is often used as a shorthand for the Kingdom of the East Angles. Dunstable is a Market town in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London In Luton, the A505 takes a large diversion forming a southerly ring road around the town, with the A5228 providing a more direct northerly bypass with the A505.

In 2006 work started on widening the M1 past Luton and to the South, and work also started on upgrading the access from the M1 to the Airport, as part of the Local Transport Plan east Luton corridor improvement scheme. Local transport plans, divided into full local transport plans ( LTP) and local implementation plans for transport ( LIP) are an important ^[50].

Twin towns

Luton participates in international town twinning; its partners^[51] are:

• Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, since 1956
• Bourgoin-Jallieu, France, since 1956
• Eskilstuna, Sweden, since 1949
• Berlin-Spandau, Germany, since 1959
• Wolfsburg, Germany, since 1950

Famous Lutonians

People who are Luton-born or are strongly associated with the town. is a city and capital of the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis (district in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Bourgoin-Jallieu is a commune in the département of Isère and the Rhône-Alpes région of Eskilstuna (ˈɛscɪlsˌtʰʉːna is a city in Södermanland, Sweden and the seat of Eskilstuna Municipality. Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. For the Spandau machine gun see Maschinengewehr 08. For the 1980s New Romantic group see Spandau Ballet.

Media

Newspapers

Two weekly newspapers are delivered free to all the houses in Luton. Michael Timothy 'Mick' Abrahams (born 7 April 1943, in Luton, Bedfordshire, England) was the original guitarist for Jethro David Arnold (born January 23, 1962) is a Grammy Award -winning English film composer best known for scoring five James Bond films John MacDonald Badham Badham was raised in the state of Alabama in the U Stefan Kyon Lloyd Bailey (born 10 October 1987, in Brent London) is an English professional footballer who plays for Grays Athletic Clive Barker is a Pop artist who was born in Luton, Bedfordshire in 1940 as the second youngest of six children Jonathan Barnbrook is a British Graphic designer and Typographer. Leon Peter Barnett (born 30 November 1985 in Luton, England) is a professional footballer with West Bromwich Albion in Kevin Patrick Blackwell (born 21 December 1958) is an English former professional football goalkeeper and is the current manager of Sheffield Charles Bronson (born 6 December 1952) is the adopted name of Michael Gordon Peterson, a British criminal who is referred to in the British press Danny Cannon (born 1968 in Luton, England) is a Film and Television screenwriter director and producer Ian Cashmore (born 28 May 1970 in Luton, Bedfordshire) is a British television personality specializing in Paranormal phenomena Kerry Michael Dixon (born 24 July 1961, in Luton) is a retired English professional footballer who played most notably for Chelsea Diana Dors ( October 23, 1931 &ndash May 4, 1984) was an English actress and Sex symbol. Kevin Patrick Foley (born November 1, 1984 in Luton) is an Irish footballer, currently playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers Ian Robins Dury ( 12 May 1942 &ndash 27 March 2000) was an English Rock and roll singer songwriter and Bandleader Sean Gallagher (born 1967 in Luton) is a British Actor. From 1992 he has appeared in many television series and films Liam Brendan George (born February 2, 1979 in Luton, England) is an English -born Irish footballer, who represented John Gosling (born 6 February 1948, in Paignton, South Devon) is a classically trained organist and pianist. Arthur Hailey ( April 5, 1920 – November 24, 2004) was a British / Canadian novelist John Hegley (born 1 October, 1953) is a popular English Performance poet, musician and songwriter whose poems and songs have appeared both Hilda Beatrice Hewlett ( 17 February 1864 – 21 August 1943) was the first British aviatrix to earn a pilot's licence Sir Alec John Jeffreys, FRS (born 9 January 1950 at Oxford in Oxfordshire) is a British Geneticist, who developed techniques John Eric Bartholomew OBE ( 14 May 1926 &ndash 28 May 1984) better known by his stage name Eric Morecambe, was an Monty Panesar (born Mudhsuden Singh Panesar, 25 April 1982 in Luton, Bedfordshire) is an English Cricketer A left-arm spinner, Panesar John Payne is a British Musician who was lead singer and bassist of Asia from 1992 to 2006 and from June 2007 with Asia Featuring John Payne For the Australian rules footballer see Phil Read (footballer. David Peter Renwick (born 4 September 1951 in Luton, Bedfordshire) is an English Television writer best known for creation Stu Riddle (born 23 May 1976 in Luton, England) is a New Zealand football (soccer player Lee Ross (born 1971 in London) is an English actor known for roles in Dodger Bonzo and the Rest Colin Salmon (born December 6, 1962) is an English Actor known for playing the Fictional character Charles Robinson in Vaughan Savidge (born 1956 is a freelance newsreader and continuity announcer on BBC Radio 4, also working on the World Service and BBC Radio 3. William Schwer (born 12 April 1969 in Luton, England) more commonly known as Billy Schwer, is a former professional Andy Selway is the drummer for KMFDM, a German industrial band Mark Titchner (born 1973 is an Edward Tudor-Pole (born 6 December 1955) is an English Musician, Singer (as Eddie Tenpole) TV Presenter UK Decay was a Luton -based band formed out of the ashes of another local band called The Resistors, who were Steven Abbot (Abbo guitar Steve Harle on Kenneth Charles Williams ( 22 February 1926 &ndash 15 April 1988) was an English comic Actor, star of 26 Jason Wood may refer to Jason Wood (politician, Australian politician Jason Wood (baseball, baseball player for the Florida Marlins Paul Antony Young (born 17 January 1956) is an English pop musician Emma Rhodes is a British artist who lives and works in Bedfordshire A newspaper is a written Publication containing News, information and Advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called Newsprint. They are:

• Herald and Post,^[52] delivered every Thursday
• The Luton on Sunday,^[53] delivered every Sunday

The Herald and Post has a sister paper which is not free.

• Luton News,^[54] published every Wednesday

The local council produces a monthly newspaper, LutonLine,^[55] usually delivered with the Luton on Sunday.

Radio

The local BBC station, BBC Three Counties Radio broadcasts from its office in Hastings Street, Luton to Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of Buckinghamshire (abbreviated Bucks) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. ^[56]

Chiltern Radio is the local independent station and broadcasts from Chiltern Road in Dunstable. Chiltern Radio is a name used by Global Radio for two stations in Bedfordshire Dunstable is a Market town in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London

The university's radio station, Luton FM, runs for 28 days during May. Luton FM is a student radio station managed produced and presented by students at the Luton town centre campus of the University of Bedfordshire in Luton, In addition, Ramadan FM broadcasts during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan or Ramazan ( Arabic: رمضان Ramaḍān) is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic Diverse FM^[57] began broadcasts in April 2007 having been awarded a community radio license from Ofcom. Community radio is a type of Radio service that caters to the interests of a certain area broadcasting material that is popular to a local audience but is overlooked by more The Office of Communications (Y Swyddfa Gyfathrebiadau or as it is more often known Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the Communication

Media references

In the TV series One Foot in the Grave there are often references to places within Luton. One Foot in the Grave was a BBC television Situation comedy series written by David Renwick. The script-writer David Renwick was brought up in the town. David Peter Renwick (born 4 September 1951 in Luton, Bedfordshire) is an English Television writer best known for creation

The town was mentioned several times in the seminal sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus. Monty Python’s Flying Circus (also known as Flying Circus or during the final series just Monty Python) is a BBC Sketch comedy In one sketch a rather half-hearted hijacker demands that a plane headed for Cuba be diverted to Luton. Luton is one of the constituencies returning a "Silly Party" victory in the famous sketch Election Night Special. " Election Night Special " is a Monty Python sketch parodying the coverage of United Kingdom general elections, specifically the 1970 general In the Piranha Brothers sketch Spiny Norman lived in a hangar at Luton Airport.

References

External links

• Media related to Luton from the Wikimedia Commons.
• Luton Borough Council
• Luton - 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article
• A "defence" of Luton, the crappiest city in England in The Guardian