The Wilder Futures Bradgers Hill project in Luton reaches an end this spring so it was timely to celebrate everything that has been achieved to date - and to acknowledge the hard work of staff, volunteers and partner organisations that have helped to make this community engagement project a resounding success.

Having received three years of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has inspired people to understand, care for and take action for the precious green spaces that envelop the urban Luton landscape, with communities at its heart, using creative ways to engage diverse audiences and forge a new sense of place and belonging within the local green spaces.

Bradgers Hill is a hidden gem on the outskirts of the Bushmead Estate in Luton - a lush grassland habitat for significant wildlife and plants, this belt of green space has been utilised by humans for centuries, still bearing markings from medieval farming. Surrounded by the rolling chalk hills, the fast-expanding urban environs of Luton is home to a bustling community, which has been the focus of the project, both for inspiration and engagement, with a strong connection to the landscape. 

The celebration at the Bushmead Community Hub - home of the project since November 2021 - saw 35 people attending, with the opportunity initially to walk around Bradgers Hill. New interpretation boards have been installed around the Hill along with way-marking posts to help people explore the site more easily. Some of the volunteers enjoyed sharing how they have helped create access improvements on the site, as well as exposing larger areas of chalk grassland by removing encroaching scrub - all this work has helped improve the site for people and biodiversity.

Presentations were made by key partners, such as funders National Lottery Heritage Fund, Luton Borough Council, the Friends of Bradgers Hill and Bushmead Primary School, as well as volunteers.

Communities Manager Matt Sutcliffe said: "We wanted to celebrate all the strong collaborations that we have made so far along the way with organisations and wonderful volunteers - we enjoyed highlighting how many different schools have engaged with the project, the variety of community events that have been organised and well attended, and to hear from parents that had enjoyed the regular nature based clubs that the project has delivered at Wardown Park and the Hub.
"We feel that we are celebrating the start of a long journey rather than an ending - there's plenty more to do help keep Luton wilder, focussing more on youth, training and careers in the conservation sector, as well as more general community engagement."