Outside the Electrolux in 1975

Dual purpose seated Bristol RE / ECW KRP 214L is seen here wearing National white livery but operating on local bus work at Oakley Road, Leagrave, by the Electrolux Works, on 29th January 1975. The vehicle later passed to Luton and District and was withdrawn in November 1987. It subsequently operated with Motts of Aylesbury, Lamberts of Rotherham and Northern Bus of Anston before scrapping in January 1996.

Snow chaos in Wellington Street, Luton, in 1962.

Snow chaos in Wellington Street, Luton, in 1962.

Among the stores in what was then a bustling shopping street without fast-food takeaways was Lacey’s, the men’s and boys’ outfitters, which traded from 1909 to 1972 in a building which later became Alan Bartram’s travel agency.

And perhaps you recall Hyde’s baker’s and confectionery shop on the corner of Wellington Street and Peel Street?

Luton received its visit from a ‘Tank Bank’ in July 1918.

Tank Bank Week’ in George Street, Luton, during the First World War.

Tanks, the new weapons of war, became important in funding Britain’s war effort in the latter stages of the 1914-18 conflict.

‘Tank Banks’ toured towns and cities to persuade residents to do their duty and buy War Savings Certificates or National War Bonds.

Luton received its visit from a ‘Tank Bank’ in July 1918. The aim was to raise £750,000 here, but midway through its week-long stay tank Egbert, a war-battered mascot of the savings movement, had induced townsfolk to invest just £230,000, leaving £520,000 required in two days to hit the target.

Remembering Percival

, this their post war trainer built at Luton. Many Lutonian’s worked for Percival Aircraft based at Luton airport. WV614 Percival Provost T.1 taken during 1956. WV566 Percival Provost T.1 taken during 1954 (Proctor G-AHWS in the background). WV544 Percival Provost T.1 taken during 1954. (ebay)

The public baths opened in Waller Street in 1872

The public baths opened in Waller Street in 1872 and had two separate pools for men and women. This was replaced by a larger building in 1913 that had a single shared pool. It closed when the new pool opened in Bath Road and was demolished c1970 to make way for The Arndale centre.

The Luton News offices and printworks on the corner of Alma Street and Manchester Street.

The clock mechanism was inside the building, I believe. This site printed the Luton News on Thursday, the Pictorial on a Tuesday, and the Saturday Telegraph in the morning as eell as the “Green ‘un” in the evening which people used to queue up at the newsagents so they could check the football results.

THANKS TO JOHN MAGUIRE