This morning, walking to work, I noticed something unusual.
People were smiling.
Not the polite, tight-lipped British smile. A proper, sun-on-your-face, kind of smile. For a moment I thought, “Ah, they have caught the Slough Town of Culture fever. Optimism is contagious.”
And then it dawned on me.
It is March. The sun is shining. Spring has quietly taken the stage.
After what felt like a relentless winter of rain, grey skies and damp coats that never quite dried, the light feels almost theatrical. As I walked past Salt Hill Park and saw the flowers pushing through and the trees changing colour. The air felt lighter. It is remarkable how dramatically the seasons shape our mood. The same streets. The same town. Completely different energy.
Slough is often talked about in terms of infrastructure, industry, data centres and development. But one of our greatest, most underrated assets is much simpler: our parks and green spaces.
From Upton Court Park to Herschel Park, from the expansive Langley Park to the smaller neighbourhood greens that sit quietly in every ward, we are surrounded by breathing space. Yes, like many urban areas, they look tired or under-loved. “I don’t feel safe there” many would quip.
Perception is not the same as potential.
These spaces of Slough represent enormous potential
With £500,000 of the Pride of Place funds allocated to refresh and improve our parks, we have a real opportunity to turn good spaces into great ones. Play areas renewed. Landscapes brightened. Art introduced. Colour added. Spaces designed not just to exist, but to invite.
And this is where our UK Town of Culture 2028 bid connects directly to spring’s energy.
Culture does not only belong inside theatre walls. In fact, some of the most powerful cultural moments happen under open skies. Our parks can become performance spaces, exhibition grounds, outdoor galleries and concert venues. If we do not have the largest indoor auditoriums, we have something equally powerful: room to gather, to celebrate, to belong.
Imagine installations nestled among trees. Music carrying across lawns. Families picnicking while watching dance, theatre or film under the evening sun. Green spaces becoming the social heart of Slough again. This is what winning the Town of Culture 2028 will deliver.
The sun is out. The flowers are here. And perhaps, just perhaps, Slough is stepping into its own spring.
