Round Green

infobox UK place

country = England
latitude= 51.895
longitude= -0.406
official_name= Round Green
os_grid_reference= TL095225
population= 10,850(est.). [ [http://www.bedscc.gov.uk/BedsCC/SDimr2.nsf/Web/Thepage/Population+Estimates+and+Forecasts+2005 Bedfordshire County Council: Population Estimates and Forecasts 2005] .]
region= East of England

unitary_england= Luton
lieutenancy_england= Bedfordshire
constituency_westminster= Luton South
post_town= LUTON
postcode_district = LU2

postcode_area= LU
dial_code= 01582

Round Green is a ward (politics) in the north-east of Luton. Formerly a small hamlet between Biscot, Leagrave and Stopsley, Round Green is one of the oldest parts of Luton with references to the area dating back to 1170.

The area originally called Cowridge End, stretches from what now is Old Bedford Road, up to Birchen Grove in the North and Crawley Green in the south. The area was officially taken up into the boundary of Luton in 1933.

In 1908, the Luton Tram Service started up, with route one terminating at Round Green (starting out in Park Street). The tram service in the town had a fairly short life and in 1931 the council decided to scrap the trams and replace them with buses. [ [http://www.luton.gov.uk/Media%20Library/Pdf/Chief%20executives/Communications/Christmas%202006/Museums%20at%20Christmas%20(pdf%20272kb).pdf History of the trams in Luton] ]

The local area is focused on the Stockingstone Road to Hitchin Road roundabout, where two local pubs, the Jolly Topers [ [http://www.pub-explorer.com/beds/pub/jollytopersluton.htm Jolly Topers - Round Green Luton Bedfordshire ] ] and The Round Green Tavern are situated within 20m of each other. Another pub, the Royal Oak, also traded in this area, however has recently closed due to increased competition. There is a small shopping area down Hitchin Road heading towards Luton which has the local amenities such as the grocers, newsagent etc and the local garage and childcare centre.

Historically, there was a large horse chestnut tree next to the roundabout outside the Jolly Topers pub, this tree had presided over the area for 150 years. However in 2001, after heavy winds, the tree branches blew down and it was deemed hazardous to keep the tree up. The tree was taken down and has recently been replacedFact|date=February 2007

Politics

The Councillors for Round Green ward are Cllr Sid Rutstein (Liberal Democrats), Cllr Alan Skepelhorn (Liberal Democrats) and Cllr Chris Smith (Liberal Democrats).

The ward forms part of the parliamentary constituency of Luton South, and the MP is Margaret Moran (Labour). Round Green is situated within the East of England (European Parliament constituency).

Local Attractions

Local Newspapers

Two weekly newspapers are delivered free to all houses in Round Green, with news about Luton and the surrounding area.
* [http://www.lutontoday.co.uk Herald and Post] (Luton based) - Delivered every Thursday
* [http://www.lsnmedia.co.uk/Luton/ Luton on Sunday] - Delivered every Sunday

References

Local History Book - "The Story of Round Green" by Barbara M. Benson