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‘The Luton I Remember: Past, present and future’- Delivered by Moving Image Luton CIC

Inspired by the Facebook group, ‘The Luton I Remember’, on which Lutonians at home and abroad share their memories, knowledge and photographs, this project seeks to preserve local heritage, shaped by Lutonians.

Moving Image Luton will bring together young and old to share knowledge and exchange memories, views and ideas about local heritage, landmarks and locations; all of which will be documented on video alongside archival footage. We will capture the then and now to reveal new perspectives on local heritage.

The finished film will be screened for all and later made available on the Luton I Remember: Past, present and future website, to which ordinary people will be able to contribute images and videos; in time building a digital archive for the people, by the people. In years to come, both the film and website will become pieces of local heritage in their own right.

About Moving Image Luton CIC

Founded by Luton-based, award-winning filmmaker, Victoria Hayford, Moving Image Luton harnesses local creative talent in the development of a film hub which regenerates the town, people and economy. In keeping with the company ethos, Moving Image Luton has made a number of films in Luton, utilising local cast and crew to showcase the abundance of creative talent in the area.

Moving Image Luton is a Community Interest Company which has been designated a ‘Creative Pioneer’ by the Culture Trust Luton, with whom we regularly collaborate to deliver filmmaking workshops to young people, soon to be rolled out more widely.

The CIC also collaborates with local institutions such as the University of Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Council to support upcoming filmmakers and creatives and to establish a reputation as a one-stop shop for filmmaking.

‘Hometown Birds’- Delivered by Permission2 CIC

This project uses the symbol of the humble pigeon to celebrate diversity and bring communities together to create an attractive and accessible art installation in the pigeon square area of Bedford; including the Church Arcade and shop windows on Allhallows.

Hometown Birds’ is based on the migratory patterns of birds, (not to mention the incredible skills of homing pigeons) to reflect, in a light-hearted, positive, and accessible way the multicultural nature of Bedford town. Friendly and inviting workshops will take place within Church Square, on market day and when the Langar project meets, which will result in a localised installation of collaged pigeons which contain clues to the cultural roots of the maker.

About Permission2 CIC

Permission2 was formed in 2023 with the intention of giving members of the public a safe space and permission to play, explore, investigate, learn, have fun, and experiment through art, without any judgement.

The exciting yet natural alchemy of Sara Turner (performance and word artist) and Anne-Marie Abbate (visual artist) combines perfectly to encourage the public to have no inhibitions about trying new ideas. Separately, they have years of experience of public engagement delivery on many different creative projects, from working with people affected by homelessness on the streets, to working with staff at both Bedford Hospital and BPHA.

‘Gup Shup (Chit Chat)’- Delivered by Shabeena Parveen

Gup Shup (Chit Chat) was established with the aim of creating a warm, welcoming space for women of Kashmiri heritage living in Luton. The inspiration behind establishing this group derives from the strong, generous and altruistic community bond these women have in dedicating their lives to serve others and not valuing their own skills, knowledge and talent.

The name Gup Shup literally means to chit chat in an informal gathering.

The purpose of this project is to honour the women of Kashmiri backgrounds by supporting them to share the stories of their roots and how they have built upon them throughout their lives in the UK. Women of Kashmiri heritage played a pivotal role in strengthening a cohesive community in Luton and, through this project, they deserve to be appreciated for their selfless contribution and dedication in forming strong intergenerational communities.

About Shabeena

Shabeena is community creative practitioner. After completing higher education and having worked in various academic professions, she decided it was time to challenge herself unconventionally. Growing up in Luton, she felt there was a gap in bridging communities with creativity. She has put her skills of helping others into developing community practice with her heritage and with the people she grew up around.

‘The Lost Lionesses’- Delivered by Nicole Lockwood-West

The Lost Lionesses is a brand new play by Nicole Lockwood-West, which tells the story of a forgotten England women’s team, from the first ever Women’s World Cup in Mexico 1971. This team originated from Luton! It raises awareness of a story nearly lost to the annals of history, with all events in the play having come from first-hand accounts of the players themselves. It sheds light on the historical struggles of those who have ardently campaigned for equality in the sport over the years. From a ragtag team of English teenagers on their first flight to an international championship; to a maverick football coach who risked everything for his team. The Lost Lionesses is a play that will leave audiences feeling inspired by these amazing women’s achievements, but furious with the hardship they had to endure just to play a game of football. And it all started in Luton Town! Our biggest aim of the project is to educate and inspire the people of Luton and Bedfordshire about this hidden heritage story from their area of the country which should be proudly celebrated. We are so excited to bring this incredible story back to the people of Luton!

About Nicole

Nicole has worked in theatre for 7 years professionally in London after finishing her studies in Guildford. With her strong passion for football and theatre she was able to combine these together for her project; “The Lost Lionesses”. Her project has recently won an award with Chelsea Women’s Football Club where she spent the weekend working with other women in football and media. Growing up, she remembers visiting her Grandparents and Uncle in Luton every Sunday and hearing stories about how her parents met in the local pubs and schools. Nicole has such a passion for telling untold stories of regular people in the most unexpected and unimaginable circumstances. She believes telling true heritage stories leave the biggest impact on us all, they also help to enlighten the viewers of the stories themselves. Nicole is excited to bring her project and untold heritage story back to Luton!

‘Profound & Multiple’- Delivered by Collar & Cuffs Co

People with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) have historically been absent from the narrative of Bedfordshire and Luton. "Profound & Multiple" is a sensory heritage project dedicated to capturing and preserving the sensory experiences of local individuals with PMLD. The project aims to document these unique perspectives to ensure that the lived experiences of people with PMLD are valued and included in our social and local history. Students from The Chiltern School in Houghton Regis will be invited to co-curate an engaging sensory exhibition about their lives, which will also recount the history of Hillcrest Special School (1979–2012). Furthermore, the project will organise visits to local heritage sites to assess their accessibility for people with PMLD. These experiences will be shared with other families through a blog and with heritage organisations to promote more inclusive planning, programming, and development.

About Collar & Cuffs Co

Collar & Cuffs is a sensory arts and heritage company, founded in 2016. The company has gained multiple awards for its inclusive sensory theatre, which has toured widely across the UK. They have brought their innovative performances to various venues including theatres, festivals, parks, gardens, libraries, and even private living rooms. Their repertoire spans a range of themes, from sensory adaptations of Shakespeare to explorations of profound emotions such as anxiety, anger, and frustration.

In addition to their performances, Collar & Cuffs has earned a reputation for creating sensory tours and trails tailored for galleries, museums, and horticultural settings. Notable collaborations include projects with MK Gallery, The British Museum, and Kew Gardens. The company is spearheaded by Julia Collar, an autistic sensory artist and mother of autistic twins, supported by a small team of neurodivergent and/or disabled freelance practitioners.

A key aspect of Collar & Cuffs' ethos is the use of Makaton signing in all their work, reflecting their commitment to accessibility and communication. Their core values emphasise inclusion, connection, and wellbeing, making their work a beacon of sensory accessibility and empathy in the arts and heritage sectors.

‘Language Horizons’- Delivered by Desiree Bashi

This project aims to create an audio-visual collection of stories to preserve and showcase the linguistic diversity of Bedford. Community members and schools will participate in sharing stories and documenting words in various languages found around the town. The initiative highlights underrepresented languages, raises cultural awareness, and fosters pride in linguistic heritage. Facilitated conversations, workshops, and field trips will culminate in a public exhibition and digital collection, promoting inclusivity and appreciation of Bedford's wealth of languages.

About Desiree

Over the past nine years, Desiree has written and illustrated three self-published books and has exhibited her own oil and watercolour artwork throughout the UK. She has contributed to literature surrounding underrepresented languages, performed and choreographed Classical Indian dance pieces, and her vision is to inspire others to combine art, dance, and languages in holistic way.