Hockwell Ring

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Hockwell Ring
Coordinates: 51.904° N 0.475° W
Population	4,000 (est.)
OS grid reference	TL0523
Unitary authority	Luton
Ceremonial county	Bedfordshire
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LUTON
Postcode district	LU4
Dial code	01582
Police	Bedfordshire
Fire	Bedfordshire and Luton
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Luton North
European Parliament	East of England
List of places: UK • England

Hockwell Ring is a 1950s and 1960s built council estate in the Leagrave area of Luton, Bedfordshire. The estate was built as part of the post-war expansion of Luton, at a similar time to Marsh Farm. Hockwell Ring is not a particularly large estate, and doesn’t have the same sprawling feeling as Marsh Farm. The area ties into much of the neighbouring 1930’s developments and is reasonably well connected to the rest of the town. Bus, train and road connections are all good.

The estate is dominated by 4 large towers, which are of similar design, 15 stories high, and top out at 44.20m each, these can be seen clearly from the M1 motorway southbound carriageway just before Junction 11, which passes close to the estate.

The tower blocks were constructed in 1965 – 1966, at roughly the same time as the rest of the estate and are typical examples of the British brutalist approach to 1960s high-rise living, in themselves they are un-remarkable, however they do dominate the skyline of that part of the town, and along with the towers in Marsh Farm and the town centre are the tallest buildings in the town and county. At the centre of the estate is a small shopping centre, park, and other facilities, doctors dentist etc. The tower blocks are currently undergoing some refurbishment to the exterior.

Like many other estates of the 1960s Hockwell Ring was seen as a vision for the future, however by the 1990s the reality was very different. House prices in the area had fallen dramatically and the estate had developed a very real image problem. However in more recent times house prices have risen and the estate is seeing some improvements.

Contents 1 Local Schools and Education 2 Politics 3 Local Attractions 4 Local Newspapers 5 External links

[edit] Local Schools and Education

• Leagrave Primary School, Strangers Way
• Beechwood Primary School, Linden Road
• Moorlands School, Leagrave Hall
• Lealands High School, Sundon Park Road
• Leagrave Library, Marsh Road

[edit] Politics

Hockwell Ring falls into the Leagrave ward is represented by Cllr Derrick Patten (Labour), Cllr Sheila Roden (Labour) and Cllr Desline Stewart (Labour).

The ward forms part of the parliamentary constituency of Luton North, and the MP is Kelvin Hopkins (Labour). Leagrave is within the East of England (European Parliament constituency).

[edit] Local Attractions

Dunstable Downs Chiltern Hills Leagrave Park Leighton Buzzard Light Railway Luton Museum & Art Gallery the hat Factory Luton Hoo Mossman Collection Someries castle Stockwood Craft Museum Stockwood Park Wardown Park Waulud's Bank Whipsnade Tree Cathedral Whipsnade Wildlife Park Woodside Farm and Wildfowl Park Wrest Park Gardens

[edit] Local Newspapers

Two weekly newspapers are delivered free to all the houses in the area. However they are not specific to Hockwell Ring. They are:

• Herald and Post - Delivered every Thursday
• Luton on Sunday- Delivered every Sunday

[edit] External links

• Luton Borough Council