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Luton

1965 , Luton (Bedfordshire)

Cat no. 206002

Anglia Television programme looking at life in the Bedfordshire town of Luton.

Residents of Luton share their views about the town, from 'deadly dull' and 'very nice' to a 'small town' that has 'grown right out of its depth'. And from sleepy beginnings to the population boom led by the industrial revolution and the coming of the railways, this documentary examines Luton as an industrial town with drive, energy and money. Home to Vauxhall Motors' main manufacturing plant along with the many smaller factories which supply it with parts and components, Luton has also seen the expansion and contraction of its traditional hat-making industry, now represented by a handful of businesses manufacturing the straw boater hats with which the town is synonymous. Not known for its sophistication, the town's 'hurried architecture' and focus on 'material prosperity' has been matched by the constant source of skilled workers supplied by the Luton College of Technology. And the documentary concludes with the suggestion that, whilst coming of age civically with the granting of 'borough' status, Luton remains in a 'cultural infancy' with no theatre, public squares, concert halls or fountains, despite the improvements brought by facilities such as the new central library, the existence of the world-renowned Luton Girls Choir, and the 'treasures' contained within Luton Hoo, itself surrounded by an 'oasis of beauty'.

Featured Buildings

Luton Hoo; Vauxhall Factory, Luton; A.E. Olney Hat Works, Luton; St Mary's Church, Luton; Luton College of Technology; Luton Central Library

Keywords

Communities; Industry; Manufacturing

  • Production company : Anglia Television

  • Director : Stanley Joseph

  • Script : Stanley Craig

  • Camera : Peter Fuller

  • Editor : Denys Coppard

  • Sound : Laurie Clarkson

  • Sound : Charles Earl

  • Sound : Mike Billing

  • Presenter : Brian Connell

  • Continuity : Anne Mounsey

  • Continuity : Victoria Foster

Manifestations

Luton

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