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My parents were from Monaghan and Longford. My mum and dad came over in the mid 1950s and I went to St Josephs and Cardinal Newman schools which got me to university. My dad worked at SKF and we lived in Sundon Park. They also chose a great town! I’ve been a Luton Town supporter for 53 years and we’ve just got into the Premier League! COYH!
Some wonderful photographs and insights into the past 200 years of Luton’s history. Many thanks to Ken Cooper’s family for giving permission for these papers to be published.
very interesting and thank you for doing this
Wonderful information , looking for Langley Place Luton 1880s may have been developed after you research. Home to my relie
Dear Mr Rustein I was born in 1943 and lived in Luton until 1966. My parents moved to Luton in 1941. They both were members of the Shul until they died, my mother in ‘81& father in ‘83. I would very much like to talk to you about the community during my time in Luton. Kind regards Leslie Kaye 07704617356
Could the James Barrett mentioned in item 23 be the James Barrett born in 1780 in Luton? The Barrett family of this time is in my family tree. Also in item 22, the name Welch is mentioned and I would like to know who he was. My mother’s maiden name was Welch and it would be nice if he was an ancestor.
Just to make someone aware of an auction of new old stock gm parts and panels is at a farm being held by Barry Hawkins tomorrow in Littleport near Ely Cambs .sorry was not sure how to contact you.
Not far from Crescent Road is Back Street at the back of High Town Road in Luton. Is there any photographs of Back Street as my great, great, great grandfather resided there in the early 1800’s. Kind Regards John Boutwood
Absolutely fascinating! A scholarly description of the centre of Luton from the early 19th to mid 20th centuries- and many of the buildings remain in 2022, albeit hugely modified.
For a short time this traded as “The Zodiac Bar” before it closed.
That’s Louis Bar before the landlord Roger Parrot left Luton. It became Shirleys Temple after that.
Where can I see early 1960s editions of the Luton Pictorial?
Hello, John.
I’m not sure if I remember you, but we overlapped at the LN, with me a reporter between 1961 and 1965. Not I’m a retired academic living in Glasgow and HCN feels like another life.
A good read John! I was classified advertisement manager during some of your time at HCN. I enjoyed my time there.
Hi Paul – no photos but I am writing up Samuel’s story. I am also doing a research paper on all the Gatwards of Luton. Are these of interest for the site?
I loved this, I remember Barbers Lane so well but never read its history before. Didn’t know about Brian Burke’s father but I knew the band I married Mick Farrell in 1964. I loved the little antique shop. Later in the late 70s whilst running the 33 art centre in Guildford street often used to visit the cafe for chips and beans which was a treat as I I was a vegetarian even then. A real Memory Lane for me.
thanks for your encouragement Dermot. Have you any Luton photos ?
Many thanks Terry -have you any photos ?
Greg – what a fantastic piece of research. I have just been researching the Gatward family that are mentioned as being in Louse Lane. The son Samuel Gatward became a convict sent to Bermuda and then NSW.
What a wonderful collection of some memories in the towns history. Great to look back at what was Luton. Thanks to the family of the late Ken Cooper for having the vision to realise that many people would gain much pleasure on viewing these time machine photos and writings of the past thank you so much.
Thank you for that brilliant and concise summing up of all that the Irish brought to Luton and all that Luton gave to the Irish.
My family came to Luton from Ireland in 1956. I grew up with my brother and three sisters in Luton and now live in Ireland. For my Father and Mother, Luton offered steady employment, an accessible health and education system and the chance to buy a home, something that would have been impossible for them in the Ireland of the 1950’s.
Thank you Luton,
Dermot Kirwan Dublin 5
Hi I was brought up at the top of Beech Hill from the early 50’s after we moved from Limbury . Reading your artical brought back many memories . I left luton In 1974 to come & live In NZ , but as I always says so many many times Luton Is my home & always will & stil have family living In Luton & surounding areas
It must have been quite an experience to be in the plait halls on Monday mornings.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I like the unwitting testimony such as the early harvest and foot warmers.
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