A History of Luton: From Conquerors to Carnival

Luton has long been a major market and brewing town. In the 19th century it became famous for hat making, and more recently it has grown into a thriving industrial centre. During World War IInbsp;it played an important part in the manufacture of army vehicles, and children bound for school had to dodge the Churchill tanks on their way to various theaters of conflict. Nowadays, Luton Airport is the gateway for all types of traveler and the town is well known for its famous football team. Luton owes its existence to the Lea river, which is now a small stream but once powered seven mills. Archaeological discoveries have revealed that people have settled in the area for thousands of year, and Julius Caesar passed through in AD 54, as, one thousand years later, did William the Conqueror. The parish church, still standing near Park Square, was built in medieval times. The town has since acquired a reputation as a solid, working class place, the sort of community where "almost everyone earns his living." This independent spirit has also had its down side, particularly on the occasion when disillusioned citizens burned down the town hall, and this well-informed narrative manages to capture Luton’s distinctive character. Luton has always provided visitors with a warm welcome and many have stayed and made the town their home. Local industry offered employment opportunities in the early 20th century and many had cause to be grateful for its relative prosperity during the Great Depression. Following World War II,nbsp;immigrants from the Indian sub-continent and from the West Indies brought with them colorful new cultures that are celebrated in the annual Carnival. This fascinating and illustrated account of Luton’s past will inform and delight anyone who lives in the town and inspire those who grew up here.