On Easter Saturday this year Luton in Bedfordshire brings back the hugely popular Easter Hat Parade that had its heyday in the 1950s. It seems that everyone from top designers to schoolchildren has been busy creating hats for the parade.
Luton has been the home of the hat making industry since the 17th century – and it’s a tradition that’s still going strong. The town still boasts hat factories, milliners and suppliers to the industry. Luton Town football team is affectionately known as ‘The Hatters’ and its brand new Arts Centre is called The Hat Factory.
Judi Herman went to find out more about the history of hat-making in Luton and to meet some of those still involved, including mature students learning the basics at Barnfield College and children from Wigmore Primary School, looking forward to taking part in the parade.
Luton’s Easter Hat Parade takes place on Easter Saturday 10 April
Photograph by Hugh Byrne. Hats designed by Marie Louise Millinery
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