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Message from project coordinator

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN REALLY EXCITING...

The delivery of this project involved volunteers carrying out research, visiting museums and archive centres with a view
to collect stories and evidence about the geographical and life-style changes of Bury Park area of Luton from 1960s,
70s and 80 to present days. It involved contacting people who have experienced and witness the changes to capture
their memories and experiences. The production and post-production of the film has been carried out by external
professionals but volunteers on the project were able to shadow the professional production and post-production
team, enabling them to gain new skills in these areas.
It has been such a wonderful experience and fulfilling to do this
project. I have learnt a great deal about not only Bury Park but also
Luton itself. It was wonderful to listen to everyone who gave interview
on how Bury Park has impacted many lives over the decades. Usually
people have perception of Bury Park and make their mind up about the
area without a thought. Therefore, this project will open many people’s
mind to the history behind the area.
I and the volunteers involved in the project learnt how over the
decades the communities in Bury Park have changed and they will
carry on changing as well, one of the reasons why it’s so popular for
many people. Over the last 50 years, it’s changed a lot the demography
changed, but the businesses have changed too, many of our
interviewees who were from that era feel it has gone back to how it
was; family owned home-grown bespoke businesses. One of the best
thing many people find about Bury Park is that, most town centres
are pronounced in the country are quite corporate, you get same
Starbucks you get the clusters, you get the same businesses replicate
every town but places like Bury Park are very distinctive, because you
get very bespoke businesses that cater for local needs, wider needs.
Many people feel it’s homely and where you can connect with other.

It was such an inspiring and wonderful journey for me and I’m sure the volunteers too to learn how passionate people
are about Bury Park; those who still live in Bury Park, Luton and people who have moved around the world, still love
and appreciate the area and call it their home. I want to unaffectedly express gratitude to every single person who has
been involved in this project; without anyone of you, this project would not have been possible. Thank you to all the
volunteers who have worked very hard, interviewees, those who have provided testimonies to share in this booklet and
everyone who has sent us pictures.
I hope you all appreciate the experiences shared in this booklet as well as the video; learning about how wonderful Bury
Park was back then and how it still is. Bury Park has provided income, homes and changed lives for decades and I believe
it deserves much more recognition.

Thank you all so much.
Fatima Begum
Project Coordinator

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