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Modern henge set to be built to celebrate community

Matthew Rosier A group of Luton Airport dancers, holding light up sticks, with them crossed in front of their bodies, in a dance move. They are all wearing high-vis jackets and black trousers. White painted polls have been painted around then, to show a circle, like a henge. Matthew Rosier
Luton Henge Concept art by Matthew Rosier, featuring Luton Airport Dancers

A town is hoping to build a modern day henge to celebrate its community and nature.

Luton Henge project could see a monument built in Marsh Farm, close to the site of the town's pre-historic earth work, Waulud's Bank.

Matthew Rosier, the artist working on the project with Revoluton Arts and Nature Calling, said it would be a modern-day interpretation of the monument that was normally made out of a circle, or stone or wooden uprights.

The full design has yet to be decided but when it opens, next summer, it could look like an "amphitheatre" and host performances as well as being an outdoor community space, he said.

Lucy Wood Nature Calling Matthew Rosier, holding a microphone, standing by a television screen that shows an ancient site. He has short dark hair, is wearing a dark top and jumper and camel coloured coat. He is standing to the right of the screen, in front of a door. He is talking. Lucy Wood Nature Calling
Matthew Rosier has already presented some of his ideas to Luton's community

Mr Rosier said a henge, like the famous structure in Stonehenge, Wiltshire, can be "many things" but is a "circular monument made thousands of years ago where people came together to celebrate together its community and nature".

Luton's new monument was inspired by Waulud's Bank, which is in north Luton next to the source of the River Lea.

"It has a big bank and a ditch which was dug about 5,000 years ago, no one knows by who or why, it's now a nature reserve."

Revoluton Arts for Nature Calling A group of people walking to Waulud's Bank, an ancient site. You can see greenery, bushes and grass, as well as a path. The people are wearing winter coats and are walking away from the camera.Revoluton Arts for Nature Calling
The Luton Henge project is inspired by ancient sites and stories

He believed people would have gone there to celebrate and perform rituals.

He said the project would be made out of wood or chalk, to reflect the landscape of the nearby chalk hills.

"We can think about how it can represent the community and nature today," he added.

"There will be a space inside for people to gather, like an amphitheatre to host performances, it will become an outdoor community space."

He was working with the community to collaborate designs and ideas.

"It's happening and will be open in time for the summer solstice," he added.

Lucy Wood Nature Calling A group of people in a room listening to a man talking, who has his back to the camera. The man is wearing a cream and black cat, and has short dark hair. The group of people are in a room with lots of chairs and most are sitting down. Lucy Wood Nature Calling
Meetings have taken place to explain the plans to the community
Artist Matt Rosier came up with the idea for a community monument.

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