Luton
55639
226025232
2008-07-16T14:21:18Z
GazMan7
1963243
/* Education */
{{otheruses|Luton (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = Luton
|other_name =
|image_skyline = Luton Town Hallb.jpg
|imagesize = 200px
|image_caption =[[Luton Town Hall]]
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|image_blank_emblem = Luton Crest.jpg
|blank_emblem_type = [[Luton#Town Crest|Luton Town Crest]]
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|image_map = EnglandLuton.png
|mapsize = 200px
|map_caption = Luton shown within England
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|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = [[UK|United Kingdom]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Constituent Country#United Kingdom|Constituent area]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[England]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of England|Region]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[East of England]]
|subdivision_type3 = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial county]]
|subdivision_name3 = [[Bedfordshire]]
|subdivision_type4 = [[Districts of England|Borough]]
|subdivision_name4 = '''Luton'''
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|government_footnotes = <ref>[[Local government in England#Councils and councillors|Leadership]]=Mayor & Cabinet<br>Executive={{EnglishDistrictControl|ONS=00KA}}</ref>
<!--Politics -->
|government_type =Borough
|leader_title =Governing body
|leader_name =[[Luton Borough Council]]
|leader_title1 =Executive:
|leader_name1 =[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
|leader_title2 =[[Mayor]]
|leader_name2 = Norris Bullock
|leader_title3 =[[MPs elected in the UK general election, 2005|MPs]]
|leader_name3 =[[Kelvin Hopkins]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]<br>[[Margaret Moran]] [[Labour Party (UK)|(L)]]
|-
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|area_total_km2 = 43.35
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|population_footnotes =<ref>Luton Borough Council estimate for 2006. See the [[#Demographics|Demographics]] section above for further information.</ref>
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|population_total =202,500
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|population_blank1_title =ethnicity
|population_blank1 =68.0% White<br>19.3% S.Asian<br>7.9% Black<br>2.8% Mixed Race<br>2.0% E.Asian and Other
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|latd=51 |latm=54 |lats=0 |latNS=N
|longd=0 |longm=26 |longs=0 |longEW= W
|postal_code_type = [[UK postcodes|Postcode Area]]
|postal_code = [[LU postcode area|LU]]
|area_code = (01582)
|blank_name =ONS code
|blank_info =00KA
|blank1_name =[[Demonym]]
|blank1_info =Lutonians
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|website = [http://www.luton.gov.uk/ www.luton.gov.uk]
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}}
'''Luton''' ({{Audio-IPA|lang=UK English|En-uk-Luton.ogg|/ˈluːtən/}}) is a large town in the [[East of England|east of]] [[England]], 32 miles (51 kilometres) north of [[London]]. Historically, Luton is within the county of [[Bedfordshire]], and since 1997, the town has been a [[unitary authority]]. Luton, along with its near neighbours of [[Dunstable]] and [[Houghton Regis]], form the [[Luton/Dunstable Urban Area]] with a population of over 230,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/Media%20Library/Pdf/Environment%20%26%20regeneration/Engineering%20%26%20Transportation%20/LTP2%20Final/LTP%202%20Split/07%20Chapter%202.pdf|title=Local Transport Plan: The Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis Conurbation|accessdate=2008-06-16|format=PDF}}</ref>
Luton is home to [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town Football Club]], [[London Luton Airport]], and the [[University of Bedfordshire]]. The [[Luton Carnival]], held on the late May [[bank holiday]], is the largest one-day [[carnival]] in [[Europe]]. 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.
==History==
{{main|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.<ref>Dyer J, Stygall F, Dony J, ''The Story of Luton'', Luton, 1964, p 20</ref> Settlements re-appeared after the ice had retreated in the [[Mesolithic]] period around 8000 BC. Traces of these settlements have been found in the [[Leagrave]] area of the modern town. Remains from the [[Neolithic]] period (4500-2500 BC in this area) are much more common. A particular concentration of Neolithic burials has been found at Galley Hill.<ref>Dyer ''ibid'', p 23</ref> The most prominent Neolithic structure is [[Waulud's Bank]] - a [[henge]] dating from around 3000 BC. 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.<ref>Dyer ''ibid'', p 31</ref>
The foundation of Luton is usually dated to the 6th century when a [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] outpost was founded on the [[River Lee (England)|River Lea]], Lea tun.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html |title=Early history of Luton|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> Luton is recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] as ''Loitone'' and also as ''Lintone''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/bedfordshire2.html|title=Doomsday book record|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> Agriculture dominated the local economy at that time, and the town's population was around 700-800.
[[Image:StMarysLuton.jpg|thumb|right|[[St Marys (Luton)|St Marys Church]], Luton town centre]]
[[Image:Wenlock chapel, Luton.jpg|thumb|right|The Wenlock chapel within St
Marys]]
In 1121 [[Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester]] started work on [[St Mary's (Luton)|St Mary's Church]] in the centre of the town. The work was completed by 1137.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stmarysluton.org/page2.html |title=History of St Mary's Church |accessdate=2008-06-16}} </ref> A [[Motte-and-bailey|motte and bailey]] type castle which gives its name to the modern Castle Street was built in 1139. The castle was demolished in 1154<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shoutluton.com/page8.html |title=Luton Castle only lasted 15 years|accessdate=2008-06-16}} </ref> and the site is now home to a [[Matalan]] store. During the [[Middle Ages]] Luton is recorded as being home to six [[watermill]]s. Mill Street, in the [[town centre]], takes its name from one of them.
[[John of England|King John]] (1166-1216) had hired a [[mercenary]] soldier, [[Falkes de Breauté]], to act on his behalf. (Breauté is a small town near [[Le Havre]] in France.) 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 [[Heraldry|heraldic]] emblem. The griffin thus became associated with both Vauxhall and Luton in the early 13th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vauxhallandkennington.org.uk/history.shtml |title=Vauxhall history|accessdate=2008-06-16}} </ref>
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.
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|brick making]] industry developing around Luton, many of the older wooden houses were rebuilt in brick.
===17th century===
During the [[English Civil War]] of the 17th century , in 1645, [[Cavalier|royalists]] entered the town and demanded money and goods. [[Roundhead|Parliamentary forces]] arrived and during the fighting four royalist soldiers were killed and a further twenty-two were captured. 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|hat making]] industry began in the 17th century and became synonymous with the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/webingres/luton/0.local/hat_plaiting.htm|publisher=Luton Libraries|work=Plaiting and Straw Hat Making|title=A history hat making in Luton|accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> 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. It is now a luxury hotel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lutonhoo.co.uk/|title=Website of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf and Spa|accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref>
===19th century===
[[Image:Lutonmap1888.jpg|thumb|right|A map of Luton from 1888]]
The town grew strongly in the 19th century. In 1801 the population was 3,095.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html|title=Population figures for 1801, 1901 and 1901 |accessdate=2008-06-16}} </ref> 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 (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]] was built through [[Hitchin]] in 1852, both bypassing Luton, the largest town in the area. 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. It was another ten years before the branch was extended to [[Luton Bute Street railway station|Bute Street Station]], and the first train to Dunstable ran on 3rd May, 1858.<ref>Dyer, ''ibid'', p 141</ref> The line was later extended to Welwyn and from 1860 direct trains to [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]] ran. The [[Midland Railway]] was extended from Bedford to [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras]] through [[Leagrave railway station|Leagrave]] and [[Luton Midland Road railway station|Midland Road station]] and opened on 9 September 1867.<ref>Dyer, ''ibid'', p 142</ref>
Luton received a gas supply in 1834. [[Gas lighting|Gas street lights]] were erected and the first [[City and town halls|town hall]] was opened in 1847.
[[Newspaper]] printing arrived in the town in 1854. 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. The first covered market was built (the Plait Halls - now demolished) in 1869. Luton was made a [[borough]] in 1876.<ref> {{cite web| url=http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html|title=Luton was made a borough|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> 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' .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lutonfc.hostinguk.com/history.asp|title=Formation of Luton Town|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:LutonCrest.jpg|thumb|right|Town Crest]] -->
The crest also includes a hand holding a bunch of wheat, either taken as a symbol of the [[Straw Plaiting|straw-plaiting]] industry, or from the arms of John Whethamsteade, Abbott of [[St Albans]], who rebuilt the chancel of [[St Mary's (Luton)|St Mary's Church]] in the 15th century.
===20th century===
[[Image:Wardownmuseum.jpg|thumb|right|[[Luton Museum & Art Gallery]] in [[Wardown Park]]]]
In the 20th century, the [[millinery|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. [[Electrolux]] built a household appliances plant which was followed by other light engineering businesses.
In 1904 councillors [[Asher Hucklesby]] and Edwin Oakley purchased the estate at [[Wardown Park]] and donated it to the people of Luton. Hucklesby went on to become Mayor of Luton. The main house in the park became [[Luton Museum & Art Gallery]].
The town had a [[tram]] system from 1908 until 1932 and the first [[movie theater|cinema]] was opened in 1909. 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]]. 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]]''). A replacement building was completed in 1936. [[London Luton Airport]] opened in 1938, owned and operated by the council.
[[Image:LutonTownHallOld.JPG|thumb|right|The first [[Luton Town Hall|town tall]] was destroyed in 1919]]
In [[World War II]], the Vauxhall Factory built [[Churchill tank]]s<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/peoples_war/vauxhall_tanks.shtml Churchill Tanks at Vauxhall]</ref> as part of the [[war effort]]. Despite heavy camouflage, the factory made Luton a target for the [[Luftwaffe]] and the town suffered a number of [[Strategic bombing|air raid]]s. Although only 107 people died<ref>[http://www.localhistories.org/luton.html Deaths during WWII]</ref> 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 bearing]]s, made a vital contribution to the war effort. Although a bomb landed at the SKF Factory<ref>See book ''Luton at War volume II'',compiled by The Luton News, 2001, ISBN 1-871199-49-2</ref> no major damage was inflicted.
Post-war, the [[Urban renewal|slum clearance]] continued and a number of substantial estates of [[Council house|council housing]] were built, notably at [[Farley Hill, Bedfordshire|Farley Hill]], [[Stopsley]], [[Limbury]], [[Marsh Farm]] and [[Leagrave]] ([[Hockwell Ring]]). The [[M1 motorway]] passed just to the west of the town in 1959. In 1962 a new library (to replace the cramped Carnegie Library) was opened by the [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen]] in the corner of St George's Square.
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.<ref>[http://www.ins tant-car-hire.co.uk/england/luton.html Arndale opened in 1972]</ref>, becoming the first shopping mall in Europe. It was refurbished and given a glass roof in the 1990s.
[[Image:LutonTownCentre.jpg|thumb|right|The town centre still has some of the old hat factories]]
In 2000, Vauxhall announced the end of car production in Luton; the plant closed in March 2002.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1885018.stm Vauxhall closure]</ref> 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<ref>[http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/Environment/Town_centre_management/St%20George%27s%20Square%20redevelopment St Georges Square on Luton Council Site]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.gillespies.co.uk/press/news/Article.aspx?article=881 Award won by St Georges Square]</ref>
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<ref>[http://www.lutonpowercourt.com/ Website for the development of Power Court]</ref> (close to [[St Mary's (Luton)|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. The former Vauxhall site is also to be re-developed as a mixed use site called Napier Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.napierpark.com/|title=Napier Park website|accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> It will feature housing, retail and entertainment use, including a new [[Regional casino|casino]].
==Governance==
[[Image:LBClogo.gif|thumb|1000px|right|Logo of Luton Unitary Authority]]
The town is situated within the historic county of [[Bedfordshire]], but since 1997 Luton has been an administratively independent [[unitary authority]]. The town remains part of Bedfordshire for [[ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial]] purposes.
===Parliamentary representation===
{{main|Politics in Luton}}
Luton is represented by two [[Member of Parliament#United Kingdom|Members of Parliament]]. The constituency of [[Luton North (UK Parliament constituency)|Luton North]] has been held by [[Kelvin Hopkins]] (Labour) since 1997. [[Luton South (UK Parliament constituency)|Luton South]] has been held by [[Margaret Moran]] (Labour) also since 1997. Luton is within the [[East of England (European Parliament constituency)]].
===Local Council===
Lutonians are governed by [[Politics in Luton|Luton Borough Council]]. The town is split into 19 [[Ward (politics)|wards]], represented by 48 councillors. 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.
[[Image:Luton Crest.jpg|thumb|120px|right|The town crest: granted 25th July 1876.]]
The Council is currently controlled by the Labour group, who have 26 Local Councillors (a majority of 5). The next largest party is the Liberal Democrats with 17 seats, followed by the Conservative Party with 5 seats.
===Town Crest===
In 1876 the town was granted its own coat of arms. 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]]). 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]]. An alternative suggestion is that the rose was a national emblem, and the thistle represents the Marquess of Bute, who formerly owned the Manor of Luton Hoo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/beds.html|title=Luton Town Crest|accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/l/luton.htm|title=Arms of Luton (England)|accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref>
==Geography and geology==
[[Image:WardownLake.jpg|thumb|right|A pedestrian [[suspension bridge]] spans the [[River Lee (England)|River Lea]] in [[Wardown Park]].]]
Luton is located in a break in the eastern part of the [[Chiltern Hills]]. The Chilterns themselves are a mixture of [[chalk]] from the [[Cretaceous]] period<ref>[http://www.bedsrigs.org.uk/map.html Map of soil distribution in Beds]</ref> (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).
Bedfordshire had a reputation for brick making which has now significantly reduced. The [[brickworks]]<ref> ISBN 1-871199-94-8 </ref> at [[Stopsley]] took advantage of the clay deposits in the east of the town.
The source of the [[River Lee (England)|River Lea]], part of the [[Thames Valley]] [[drainage basin]], is in the [[Leagrave]] area of the town. The [[Bramingham#Bramingham Wood|Great Bramingham Wood]] surrounds this area. It is classified as [[ancient woodland]]; records mention the wood at least 400 years ago.
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 motorway|M1]] and the [[A6 road|A6]]) and a major rail-link to be constructed through the town. By way of comparison, the railway by-passed nearby [[Dunstable]], which was once a more prosperous town.
Luton has a [[temperate]] [[Oceanic climate|marine climate]], like much of the [[British Isles]], with regular but generally light [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] throughout the year. The weather is very changeable from day to day and the warming influence of the Gulf Stream makes the region mild for its latitude. The average total annual rainfall is 584 millimetres (23 in) with rain falling on 109 days of the year.
<!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather <!-- Important: remove all unused fields-->
|metric_first=Yes <!--Entering Yes will display metric first. Leave blank for imperial-->
|single_line= Yes<!--Entering Yes will display metric and imperial units on same line.-->
|location = Bedford (The nearest weather station to Luton at 20 miles to the North.)
|Jan_Hi_°C =6.4 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C = <!--REC temps are optional; use sparely-->
|Feb_Hi_°C =6.9 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C =
|Mar_Hi_°C = 9.7 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C =
|Apr_Hi_°C = 12.0 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C =
|May_Hi_°C = 15.7 |May_REC_Hi_°C =
|Jun_Hi_°C = 18.6 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C =
|Jul_Hi_°C = 21.5 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C =
|Aug_Hi_°C = 21.5 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C =
|Sep_Hi_°C = 18.2 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C =
|Oct_Hi_°C = 14.0 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C =
|Nov_Hi_°C = 9.5 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C =
|Dec_Hi_°C = 7.2 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C =
|Year_Hi_°C = 13.5 |Year_REC_Hi_°C =
|Jan_Lo_°C = 0.8 |Jan_REC_Lo_°C =
|Feb_Lo_°C = 0.6 |Feb_REC_Lo_°C =
|Mar_Lo_°C = 2.3 |Mar_REC_Lo_°C =
|Apr_Lo_°C = 3.6 |Apr_REC_Lo_°C =
|May_Lo_°C = 6.2 |May_REC_Lo_°C =
|Jun_Lo_°C = 9.3 |Jun_REC_Lo_°C =
|Jul_Lo_°C = 11.5 |Jul_REC_Lo_°C =
|Aug_Lo_°C = 11.6 |Aug_REC_Lo_°C =
|Sep_Lo_°C = 9.7 |Sep_REC_Lo_°C =
|Oct_Lo_°C = 6.6 |Oct_REC_Lo_°C =
|Nov_Lo_°C = 3.3 |Nov_REC_Lo_°C =
|Dec_Lo_°C = 1.8 |Dec_REC_Lo_°C =
|Year_Lo_°C = 5.6 |Year_REC_Lo_°C =
<!--**** use mm or cm but NOT both! ****-->
<!-- Optional: This is total Precipitation. Rain & Snow fields can be used instead if Precip is NOT filled in -->
|Jan_Precip_cm = |Jan_Precip_mm = 48.4
|Feb_Precip_cm = |Feb_Precip_mm = 36.6
|Mar_Precip_cm = |Mar_Precip_mm = 43.5
|Apr_Precip_cm = |Apr_Precip_mm = 47.2
|May_Precip_cm = |May_Precip_mm = 45.3
|Jun_Precip_cm = |Jun_Precip_mm = 56.9
|Jul_Precip_cm = |Jul_Precip_mm = 44.7
|Aug_Precip_cm = |Aug_Precip_mm = 48.6
|Sep_Precip_cm = |Sep_Precip_mm = 53.6
|Oct_Precip_cm = |Oct_Precip_mm = 56.8
|Nov_Precip_cm = |Nov_Precip_mm = 49.0
|Dec_Precip_cm = |Dec_Precip_mm = 53.8
|Year_Precip_cm = |Year_Precip_mm = 584.4
<!-- Optional: This is total monthly sunshine in hours -->
|Jan_Sunshine_hours = 58.6
|Feb_Sunshine_hours = 76.3
|Mar_Sunshine_hours = 99.5
|Apr_Sunshine_hours = 153.0
|May_Sunshine_hours = 183.8
|Jun_Sunshine_hours = 185.7
|Jul_Sunshine_hours = 200.9
|Aug_Sunshine_hours = 188.5
|Sep_Sunshine_hours = 139.8
|Oct_Sunshine_hours = 114.1
|Nov_Sunshine_hours = 72.0
|Dec_Sunshine_hours = 51.5
|Year_Sunshine_hours = 1523.6
|source = <ref name= >{{cite web
| url =http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/sites/bedford.html | title = Bedford 1971-2000 averages | accessmonthday = [[16 June]]| accessyear =[[2008]]
| publisher = Met Office| language =English }}</ref>
|accessdate = [[2008-06-16]]
}}<!--Infobox ends-->
===Areas and suburbs===
[[Image:Lutonwardmap.jpg|right|400px]]
{{main|Places within Luton}}
The Victorian expansion of Luton initially focused on areas close to the existing town centre and railways. In the 1920s and 1930s growth typically was though absorbing neighbouring villages and hamlets and infill construction between them and Luton. After the Second World War there were several significant estates and developments constructed both local authority such as Farley Hill or Marsh Farm, or private such as Bushmead.
'''Former villages and hamlets:''' [[Biscot]], [[Crawley Green]], [[Leagrave]], [[Limbury]], [[Round Green]], [[Stopsley]]
'''Early expansion of Luton:''' [[Bury Park]], [[Dallow]], [[High Town]], [[New Town, Luton|New Town]]
'''New estates:''' [[Bramingham]], [[Bushmead]], [[Farley Hill, Bedfordshire|Farley Hill]], [[Hockwell Ring]], [[Lewsey]], [[Marsh Farm]], [[Sundon Park]], [[Warden Hills]], [[Wigmore, Luton|Wigmore]]
==Demographics==
The [[United Kingdom Census 2001]] showed that Luton had a population of 184,371, a 5.8% increase from the last census meaning that Luton is the 27th<ref> [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=8271&Pos=2&ColRank=1&Rank=224]</ref> [[List of largest United Kingdom settlements by population|largest settlement]] in the UK. Of this, 43,324 were under 15, 131,660 were between 16 and 74 and 9387 were over 74.<ref> [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00ka.asp 2001 Census]</ref> The [[Office for National Statistics]] mid-year estimate of the 2006 population is 186,800. 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/media%20library/pdf/chief%20executives/communications/ons/populationstatisticsreportfinal.pdf| publisher=Luton Borough Council Research and Intelligence Team|title=Statistical Issues Relating to the ONS Population Estimates of Luton(PDF), page 32|accessdate=2008-06-16|format=PDF}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="clear:;"
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;"|'''Population since 1801''' - Source: A Vision of Britain through Time<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10188970&c_id=10001043&add=N|title=Luton: Total Population |accessdate=2008-06-16 |work=A Vision of Britain Through Time |publisher=Great Britain Historical GIS Project }}</ref>
|-
!Year
|'''1801'''
|'''1851'''
|'''1901'''
|'''1911'''
|'''1921'''
|'''1931'''
|'''1941'''
|'''1951'''
|'''1961'''
|'''1971'''
|'''1981'''
|'''1991'''
|'''2001'''
|-
!Population Luton
|2,985
|11,067
|31,981
|49,315
|57,378
|66,762
|84,516
|106,999
|132,017
|162,928
|163,208
|174,567
|184,390
|}
Local inhabitants are known as ''Lutonians''.
===Ethnicity===
Luton has seen several waves of immigration. In the early part of the 20th century Irish and Scottish people arrived in the town, these were followed by Afro-Caribbean and Asian immigrants. More recently a new wave of immigrants from Eastern Europe has made Luton their home. As a result of this Luton has a diverse ethnic mix, with a significant population of Asian descent, mainly Pakistani (9.8%), Indian (4.2%) and Bangladeshi (4.3%). The 2005 Office of National Statistics figures revealed that town had a white population of 68% (of which white British amounted to 61.3%) compared to an East of England average of 92.8%.
{| class="wikitable"
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;"|'''Luton: Ethnicity''': 2005 Office of National Statistics estimates<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276843&c=Luton&d=13&e=13&g=404978&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1201380894093&enc=1&dsFamilyId=1812|title=Ethnic groups % - 2005 estimates|publisher=Office of National Statistics|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
|-
!
! Luton %
! East of England %
! England %
|-
|White
|68.0
|92.8
|89.1
|-
|Mixed
|2.8
|1.4
|1.6
|-
|Asian or Asian British
|19.3
|3.1
|5.3
|-
|Black or Black British
|7.9
|1.6
|2.7
|-
|Chinese or Other Ethnic Group
|2.0
|1.1
|1.3
|-
|Total
|100.0
|100.0
|100.0
|}
===Religion===
[[Image:Methodist church.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Methodist]] Chapel in High Town (built 1897)]]
[[Image:Sikh temple, luton.jpg|thumb|right|The Guru Nanak Gurdwara [[Sikh]] Temple, Luton]]
According to the [[United Kingdom Census 2001]], 60% of the inhabitants in Luton are [[Christian]] 15% are [[Muslim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276843&c=luton&d=13&e=16&g=404978&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=95|title= Religion breakdown| publisher=National Statistics Office|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
The full statistics are as follows<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00KA-A.asp|title=National Statistics|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Religion
! Luton %
! National %
|-
|Christian
|59.6%
|71.7%
|-
|Muslim
|14.6%
|3.0%
|-
|Hindu
|2.7%
|1.1%
|-
|Sikh
|0.8%
|0.6%
|-
|Jewish
|0.3%
|0.5%
|-
|Buddhist
|0.2%
|0.3%
|-
|Other
|0.3%
|0.3%
|-
|No religion
|14.1%
|14.8%
|-
|Religion not stated
|7.2%
|7.7%
|}
===Economic activity===
Of the town's working population (classified 16-74 years of age by the [[Office for National Statistics]]), 63% are employed. 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.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/00ka.asp |title=Employment statistics|publisher=National Office of Statistics|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Luton}}
[[Image:Capability green.jpg|thumb|right|Capability Green is one of two business parks in Luton]]
Luton's economy has, traditionally been focused on several different areas of industry including [[Automaker|Car Manufacture]], engineering and [[millinery]]. However, today, Luton is moving towards a service based economy mainly in the [[Retailing|retail]] and the [[airport]] sectors, although there is still a focus on light industry in the town.
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
*[[Experian]] - data and analytics
*[[Monarch Airlines]] - headquarters, at Luton Airport
*[[Mazars]] - accountants
*[[Siemens AG]] - electronics
*[[Thomson Holidays]] - travel
*[[Whitbread]] - hospitality
*[[Vauxhall Motors]] - headquarters
===Shopping===
[[Image:BuryPark.jpg|thumb|right|Bury Park is an ethnic area within Luton]]
The main shopping area in Luton is centred around [[The Mall (Luton)|The Mall Arndale]]. Built in the 1960s/70's and opened as an [[Arndale Centres|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). 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.
===Food and drink===
Luton has a diverse selection of restaurants - [[English cuisine|English]], [[Italian cuisine|Italian]], [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese]], [[Indian cuisine|Indian]], [[Caribbean cuisine|Caribbean]], [[Cuisine of Thailand|Thai]] and [[Cuisine of Malaysia|Malaysian]] to name a few. No area of the town is specifically restaurant-orientated, but in some areas (such as [[Bury Park]]) there is a concentration of Asian restaurants.
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 [[Public house|pubs]] in the town.
==Transport==
[[Image:Meridian Luton Airport Parkway.JPG|thumb|right|[[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 of London|City]] and other parts of the country via the [[motorway]] network and the [[National Rail]] system. Luton is also home to [[London Luton Airport]], one of the major feeder airports for London and the southeast. Luton is also served by a bus service run by [[Arriva]] and a large [[Taxicab|taxi]] network. As a [[Unitary Authority]], [[Luton Borough Council]] is responsible for the local [[highways]] and public transport in the Borough and licensing of Taxis.
===Air===
{{main|London Luton Airport}}
[[Image:Luton airport.jpg|thumb|right|[[London Luton Airport]]]]
A council-owned airport was first opened on the current site as ''Luton Municipal Airport'' on [[16 July]] [[1938]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/content/4/117/airport-history.html|title=Luton Airport Opening|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> by the [[Secretary of State for Air]], [[Kingsley Wood]]. During the Second World War Luton Airport was a base for the [[Royal Air Force]] 264 Fighter Squadron.<ref name=LAH>{{cite web|url=http://www.luton-airport-guide.co.uk/history.html History|title=Luton Airport History|publisher=Luton Airport Website|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
[[London Luton Airport]] has expanded rapidly over the last few years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/content/4/117/airport-history.html|title=Luton Airport - fastest growing in the UK|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> The airport is a hub for [[Low-cost carrier|budget airlines]] offering cheap flights. Flights from the airport increased substantially from the 1960s as new [[charter airline]]s (e.g. [[Court Line]]) flew from there in preference to the London airports. Despite problems in the 1970s, a new terminal was opened in 1985 by the [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince of Wales]].<ref name=LAH/> The airport was renamed London Luton Airport in 1990, just before [[Ryanair]] took its business to [[London Stansted Airport|Stansted]]. 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 railway station|Luton Airport Parkway]], opened.<ref name=LAH/> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visit4info.com/details.cfm?adid=14583|title=Details of Lorraine Chase advert|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> (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===
[[Image:Leagrave Main Building.jpg|thumb|right|[[Leagrave railway station]]]]
Luton is served by three railway stations, [[Luton railway station|Luton]], [[Luton Airport Parkway railway station|Luton Airport Parkway]] and [[Leagrave railway station|Leagrave]], all on the same line. [[First Capital Connect]]'s high frequency [[Thameslink]] route services run north to Bedford and south to [[Brighton]] via several central London stations. [[East Midlands Trains|East Midlands Mainline]] 'intercity' services run north to [[Leicester]], [[Nottingham]], [[Lincoln, Lincolnshire|Lincoln]], [[Sheffield]], [[Leeds]] and other cities, and south to [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras International]] on the [[Midland Main Line]].
[[Luton railway station|Luton]] and [[Leagrave railway station|Leagrave]] stations were built by the [[Midland Railway]] in [[1868]] on its extension to [[St Pancras railway station|St. Pancras]]. The old Leagrave Midland station buildings still exist, having been carefully restored in the [[1980]]s. For some years Luton station was known as ''Luton Midland Road'' to distinguish it from the earlier [[Luton Bute Street railway station|Luton Bute Street]], built by the Luton, Dunstable and Welwyn Junction Railway Company in [[1858]], later part of the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|GNR]]. Bute Street was closed in [[1965]].
There are plans to introduce 24-hour rail services to Luton and Luton Airport Parkway.<ref>[http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/press/pressreleasestory.php?id=213 First Capital plans]</ref> The [[Thameslink Programme]] will also provide further rail links to southwards to [[Guildford]], [[East Grinstead]], [[Ashford, Kent|Ashford]], [[Dartford]] and the South Coast.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/imagelibrary/detail.asp?MediaDetailsID=385| author=Network Rail| year=2006-10-18| title=Map of expanded Thameslink route| accessdate=2006-11-28}}</ref>
===Bus and coach services===
Bus services in Luton are provided in the main by the national group [[Arriva]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/Media%20Library/Pdf/Environment%20%26%20regeneration/Engineering%20%26%20Transportation%20/Passenger%20Transport/Luton%20%26%20Dunstable%20PT%20Guide.pdf|title=Passenger services|accessdate=2008-06-16|format=PDF}}</ref> through their registered company [[Arriva Shires & Essex#Arriva The Shires Ltd|Arriva The Shires Ltd]], based in Luton. Other significant local operators include [[Centrebus]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centrebus.co.uk/Herts&BedsTowns/MapIndex/MapIndex.htm|title=Centre Bus|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>, and Grant Palmer.<ref>{{cite web|url=[http://www.grantpalmer.com/Passenger_Services/index.htm|title=Grant Palmer|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> [[Uno (bus company)|Uno]] operate bus services to the [[Hatfield]] campus of the [[University of Hertfordshire]]. [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach]] runs services to Bedford using its [[Stagecoach in Bedford]] subsidiary. Stagecoach also operates the [[Virgin Trains]] Express Coach service VT99 from Luton Airport and Luton station to [[Milton Keynes Central railway station|Milton Keynes Central]]. Regional and commuter coach services from Luton are operated by [[National Express]], Marshall's Coaches <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marshalls-coaches.co.uk/|title=Marshalls Coaches|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> and [[Green Line Coaches]].
===Guided bus link===
{{Main|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]].<ref>[http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/twa/dl/lutondunstabletranslinkdecis1031?page=1 Department for Transport, Luton Dunstable Translink Decision Letter]</ref> Originally conceived as Translink the scheme is now known as the ''Luton to Dunstable Busway''.<ref>[http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/transport_and_streets/engineering%20&%20transportation/Translink%20project Luton Council busway news release]</ref>
As the scheme is to use much of former [[permanent way]] of the disused Luton to Dunstable railway, which closed in 1989,<ref>[http://www.fabermaunsell.com/MarketsAndServices/43/22/index.jsp Faber Maunsell environmental impact study of the Translink proposal]</ref> it has met with considerable opposition<ref>[http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/twa/ir/lutondunstabletranslinkinspe1032?page=1 Department for Transport Luton Dunstable Translink Inspectors' Report] Section 5</ref> from parties that would rather see the re-instatement of heavy rail services along the branch, or by extending the [[Thameslink|Thameslink railway line]] farther afield. 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. 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.<ref>[http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/twa/ir/lutondunstabletranslinkinspe1032?page=1 Department for Transport Luton Dunstable Translink Inspectors' Report] Section 6.8.2</ref>
===Road===
[[Image:145437 0371af30.jpg|thumb|right|Junction 11 on the [[M1 motorway|M1]], one of two junctions with Luton]]
Luton is connected to the major arterial route, the [[M1 motorway]], and the other major roads, the [[A6 road|A6]] and the [[A505 road|A505]].
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 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. The A6 previously extended south to [[St Albans]], this section has since been re-numbered as the A1081. The A505 provides an east–west connection through Luton, to [[Hitchin]] and further east to the [[A1 road|A1(M)]] or [[East Anglia]]; and to [[Dunstable]] and the [[A5 road|A5]] to the west. 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.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2006/03/20/m1_widening_begins_200306_feature.shtml Widening of the M1]</ref>
The [[A5 road]] which passes through nearby [[Dunstable]] is laid on the route of the [[Watling Street]], an ancient route of England.
==Education==
[[Image:Universityofbeds.JPG|thumb|right|University of Bedfordshire - Luton]]
{{main|Education in Luton}}
Luton is home to the [[University of Bedfordshire]]. 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 architecture|Victorian]] manor house. The University also owns several buildings in [[Bedford]].
The town is home to [[Luton Sixth Form College]] and [[Barnfield College]]. Both have been awarded Learning & Skills Beacon Status by the [[Department for Children, Schools and Families]].<ref>[http://www.communiqueonline.com/cgi-bin/newsdata.pl Barnfield Newsletter]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lutonsfc.ac.uk/lutonhome/About/Performance/Index.html|title=Luton Sixth Form College|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
Luton's schools and colleges have also been earmarked for major investment in the government scheme [[Building Schools for the Future]] programme, which intends to renew and refit buildings in institutes across the country. Luton is in the 3rd wave of this long term programme with work intending to start in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.learning.luton.gov.uk/index.cfm?s=1&m=649&p=238,index|title=L2G Building for the Future Programme details|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref>
There are 98 educational institutes in Luton - seven [[Nursery school|Nurseries]], 70 [[Primary education|Primary schools]] (9 [[Voluntary aided school|Voluntary-Aided]], 2 [[Special education|Special Requirements]]), 13 [[Secondary school|Secondary Schools]] (1 Voluntary-Aided, 1 Special Requirements), four [[Further education|Further Educational Institutes]] and four other Educational Institutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/School%20-%20general%20information%201|publisher=Luton Borough Council |title= LEA School List|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
==Culture and leisure==
{{main|Culture in Luton}}
===Sport===
[[Image:Kenilthworth Road.jpg|thumb|[[Kenilworth Road]], the home to Luton Town Football Club]]
Luton is the home town of [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town Football Club]] who play in the Coca-Cola [[Football League Two]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lutontown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Welcome |title=Luton Town homepage|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> the 4th Flight of the English league structure. Their [[nickname]], "The Hatters", dates back to when Luton had a substantial [[millinery]] industry.
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.
===Wardown Park===
[[Image:Daisy-Chain-Walk-standard.jpg|thumb|right|The Daisy-Chain Wall in [[Wardown Park]].]]
{{main|Wardown Park}}
Wardown Park is is situated on the [[River Lee (England)|River Lea]] in Luton. The park has various sporting facilities, is home to the [[Luton Museum & Art Gallery]] and contains formal gardens. The park is located between ''Old Bedford Road'' and the A6, ''New Bedford Road'' and is within walking distance of the town centre.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/Leisure_and_culture/Museums_and_galleries/Wardown%20Park|title= Luton Council website|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
===Stockwood Park===
[[Image:Stockwoodpark.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stockwood Park]], Luton]]
{{main|Stockwood Park}}
Stockwood Park is a large municipal park near Junction 10 of the [[M1 motorway|M1]]. The park houses the [[Stockwood Craft Museum|craft museum]], the [[Mossman Collection]] and the period formal gardens which are all free of charge for visitors. 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.
===Carnival===
{{main|Luton Carnival}}
[[Luton Carnival]] is the largest one-day [[carnival]] in Europe. It usually takes place on the late May Bank Holiday. With good weather, crowds usually top 150,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/do_that/2004/05/carnival/carnival_day.shtml|title=Luton Carnival Coverage on the BBC|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> 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. 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. <ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.shoutluton.com/entertainment/page2.html|title=Shout Luton Theatre Guide|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
===Local attractions===
<div style="float:right;">
{{EngPlacesKey}}
</div>
{|
| valign="top" |
*[[Image:NTE icon.png]] [[Dunstable Downs]]
*[[Image:UKAL icon.png]] [[Chiltern Hills]]
* Galley and Warden Hills Nature Reserve
*[[Image:Museum icon.png]] [[Luton Museum & Art Gallery]]
* The Hat Factory
*[[Image:HH icon.png]] [[Luton Hoo]]
*[[Image:Museum icon.png]] [[Mossman Collection]]
* [[Someries Castle]]
*[[Image:Museum icon.png]] [[Stockwood Craft Museum]]
*[[Image:UKAL icon.png]] [[Wardown Park]]
*[[Image:UKAL icon.png]] [[Waulud's Bank]]
*[[Image:NTE icon.png]] [[Whipsnade Tree Cathedral]]
*[[Image:Museum icon (red).png]] [[Whipsnade Zoo]]
*[[Image:Museum icon (red).png]] [[Woodside Farm and Wildfowl Park]]
*[[Image:EH icon.png]] [[Wrest Park]]
|}
==Twin towns==
Luton participates in international [[town twinning]]; its partners<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/Community_and_living/Twinning/Town%20Twinning |title=Town twinning|publisher=Luton Borough Council|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> are:
{| class="wikitable" "text-align:left;font-size:100%;"|
|-
! style="background: #000066; color: #FFFFFF" ! |
! style="background: #000066; color: #FFFFFF" height="17" width="120" | Country
! style="background: #000033; color: #FFFFFF" ! |
! style="background: #000033; color: #FFFFFF" ! width="100" | Place
! style="background: #000066; color: #FFFFFF" ! |
! style="background: #000066; color: #FFFFFF" ! width="130" | County / District / Region / State
! style="background: #000066; color: #FFFFFF" ! width="40" | Date
|-
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | {{flagicon|Germany}}
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Germany]]
! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Image:Wappen von Bergisch Gladbach.png|25px]]
|! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! | '''[[Bergisch Gladbach]]'''
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Image:Coat of arms of North Rhine-Westfalia.svg|25px]]
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | ''[[North Rhine-Westphalia]]''
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[1956]]
|-
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | {{flagicon|France}}
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000"; ! | [[France]]
! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! |
|! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! | '''[[Bourgoin-Jallieu]]'''
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! |
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | ''[[Rhône-Alpes]]''
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[1956]]
|-
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | {{flagicon|Sweden}}
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Sweden]]
! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! |
|! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! | '''[[Eskilstuna]]'''
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Image:Södermanland vapen.svg|25px]]
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | ''[[Södermanland]]''
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[1949]]
|-
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | {{flagicon|Germany}}
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Germany]]
! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Image:Coat of arms de-be spandau.png|25px]]
|! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! | '''[[Berlin]]-[[Spandau]]'''
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Image:Coat of arms of Berlin.svg|25px]]
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | ''[[Berlin]]''
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[1959]]
|-
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | {{flagicon|Germany}}
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Germany]]
! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Image:Wappen Wolfsburg.png|25px]]
|! style="background: #CCCCFF; color: #000000" ! | '''[[Wolfsburg]]'''
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[Image:Coat of arms of Lower Saxony.svg|25px]]
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | ''[[Lower Saxony]]''
|! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" ! | [[1950]]
|}
==Notable Lutonians==
<!-- PLEASE DON'T ADD PEOPLE TO THIS LIST UNLESS THERE IS ALREADY AN ARTICLE ABOUT THEM -->
People who are Luton-born or are strongly associated with the town.
{|width=90%
|
* [[Mick Abrahams]], guitarist with [[Jethro Tull]]
* [[David Arnold]], composer
* [[John Badham]], film director
* [[Stefan Bailey]], footballer
* [[Clive Barker (artist)|Clive Barker]], sculptor and artist
* [[Jonathan Barnbrook]], graphic designer, typographer
* [[Leon Barnett]], footballer
* [[Kevin Blackwell]], goalkeeper, Football Manager
* [[Charles Bronson (prisoner)|Charles Bronson]], prisoner
* [[Danny Cannon]], screenwriter, director and producer
* [[Ian Cashmore]], actor
* [[Kerry Dixon]], footballer
* [[Diana Dors]], actor
|<!-- PLEASE DON'T ADD PEOPLE TO THIS LIST UNLESS THERE IS ALREADY AN ARTICLE ABOUT THEM -->
* [[Kevin Foley (footballer)|Kevin Foley]], footballer
* [[Ian Dury]], singer
* [[Sean Gallagher]], actor
* [[Liam George]], footballer
* [[John Gosling]], musician
* [[Arthur Hailey]], novelist
* [[John Hegley]], poet
* [[Hilda Hewlett]], UK's first female pilot
* Sir [[Alec Jeffreys]], geneticist
* [[Eric Morecambe]], entertainer
* [[Monty Panesar]], cricketer
* [[John Payne (singer)|John Payne]], musician
* [[Phil Read]], motorcycle racer
* [[David Renwick]], scriptwriter
|<!-- PLEASE DON'T ADD PEOPLE TO THIS LIST UNLESS THERE IS ALREADY AN ARTICLE ABOUT THEM -->
* [[Stu Riddle]], footballer
* [[Lee Ross (actor)|Lee Ross]], actor
* [[Colin Salmon]], actor
* [[Vaughan Savidge]], announcer
* [[Billy Schwer]], boxer
* [[Andy Selway]], drummer
* [[Will Smith (cricketer)|Will Smith]], cricketer
* [[Mark Titchner]], artist
* [[Edward Tudor-Pole]], singer and actor
* [[UK Decay]], band
* [[Kenneth Williams]], actor
* [[Jason Wood]], Comedian
* [[Paul Young]], singer
* [[Emma Rhodes]], Artist and Illustrator
|}
==Media==
===Newspapers===
Two weekly [[newspaper]]s are delivered free to all the houses in Luton. They are:
* [[Herald and Post]],<ref>{{cite web|url=[http://www.lutontoday.co.uk |title=Herald and Post|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> delivered every Thursday
* The Luton on Sunday,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lutononsunday.com/|title=Luton on Sunday|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> delivered every Sunday
The Herald and Post has a sister paper which is not free.
* Luton News,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lutonnews.co.uk |title=Luton News|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> published every Wednesday
The local council produces a monthly newspaper, LutonLine,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/references/A_Z/C/Council_publications/lutonlineemail.html|title=Lutonline homepage|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/ |title=Three Counties Radio|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref>
[[97.6 Chiltern FM|Chiltern Radio]] is the local independent station and broadcasts from Chiltern Road in [[Dunstable]].
The university's radio station, [[Luton FM]], runs for 28 days during May. In addition, Ramadan FM broadcasts during the month of [[Ramadan]]. Diverse FM<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diversefm.com |title=Diverse FM|accessdate=2008-06-16}}</ref> began broadcasts in April 2007 having been awarded a [[community radio]] license from [[Ofcom]].
===Media references===
In the TV series [[One Foot in the Grave]] there are often references to places within Luton. The script-writer [[David Renwick]] was brought up in the town.
The town was mentioned several times in the seminal sketch show [[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]. 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]]''. In the [[Piranha Brothers]] sketch Spiny Norman lived in a hangar at Luton Airport.
==References==
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{{portal|England}}
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{{Wiktionary}}
{{Luton}}
{{Places in Bedfordshire}}
{{East of England}}
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[[Category:Luton| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Local government in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Unitary authorities in England]]
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