Have you spotted any unusual animals around Luton lately? No, you’re not seeing things – our town’s been taken over by 90 colourful hare and tortoise sculptures!
It’s all part of the Short Tail Trail, set up by Luton’s very own Keech Hospice Care. In fact, this is Luton’s biggest free arts trail to date.
These eye-catching sculptures are everywhere, from the town centre to our local parks, each one telling a bit of Luton’s story. You’ll spot nods to our hat-making days, our beloved Hatters, and even our famous pink flamingos.
Getting involved is easy. Just download the free ‘Short Tail Trail 2024’ app and you’re good to go. It’ll show you where to find the sculptures and even provides you with exclusive offers and competitions from local sponsors.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Step Forward Luton tortoise ‘Lovely Lou’– if you spot it and collect via the app, you could win some fantastic prizes in partnership with Browns Books, High Town.
The trail runs until 27 September, after which the large sculptures will be auctioned off. All proceeds will benefit Keech Hospice Care, with hopes to match or exceed the impressive £230,000 raised by 2021’s elephant trail.
Don’t miss the special Short Tail Trail book, written by local Lyndsey Sweet and illustrated by Ed Smith. Buy your copy at Keech Hospice Care, their Park Street shop, Stockwood Discovery Centre, or Wardown House Museum.
This summer, you can also catch live readings of the book at Hat Gardens, Bute Street. Join ‘Storytelling on the Steps’ every Friday at 3pm from 26 July to 23 August. These sessions are free to attend, and ideal for young children.
So, what are you waiting for, Luton? Let’s get out there and start exploring!
Fancy a sneak peek of the trail? Check out our video.
About the Author
Laura Redmond
Laura is a passionate supporter of the Step Forward Luton campaign and a Place Activation and Marketing Coordinator. Armed with a journalism degree and unwavering love for her university town, she believes there's more to Luton that meets the eye. From charity work to market management, Laura's professional journey has explored every corner of Luton. When she's not busy being a marketing maven, she's lacing up her walking shoes to explore the town's green spaces or unearthing Luton's hidden foodie gems.
