Interview with Peter Waterman

Peter describes his work as Bishop of Oxford’s Planning Officer for Milton Keynes; recalling key people in MK – Margaret Durbridge, John Crisp (Vicar of Newport Pagnell) – and issues like the formation of an ecumenical committee for MK. In his view, the Master Plan was key, allowing the church to’ think what it should be’ in MK. He also talks of his successful protest to the public inquiry about the siting of the sewage works. Peter became friendly with Fred Roche and was invited to become a Social Development and Housing Officer under Ben Affleck. Since his role with the Church was reducing, he accepted and spent three years building up a social development team; he recalls working with Cynthia Hargate, and significant projects like Stantonbury Leisure Centre – in his opinion key to the cultural development of MK. Appointed Director of the new Social Development Unit, he alludes to its contribution to the lively cultural life of MK today: for example, paying for the appointments of Hilary Davan Wetton and Roy Nevitt at Stantonbury in advance of the school opening, to build up relations with the community; and giving grants for organisations and projects. He recalls development of Interaction, Living Archive, the City Orchestra and art events (led by Edna Read). Peter is very proud of the work of the team, believing that ‘in the social element we showed [the Councils] what the voluntary sector could do’. He also stresses the importance of female contributors such as Margaret Durbridge, Marjorie Reed (the Hospice), Matilda Kessler and Margo Kettle (the CAB). He is proud of the voluntary organisations attracted to enrich MK such as Macintyre, and Richmond Fellowship.

Peter believes his biggest personal achievement was the re-siting of the sewage works, and his greatest professional achievement was the setting up of the Community Foundation: he recalls the working party with the Councils ‘The Future Funding of a Voluntary Sector’. Peter managed, through contacts at the Home office, to get Milton Keynes onto a list of six pilot community foundations. As coordinator of the project team, he credits strong involvement from Tim Eastaff, Mike Murray, Helen Grainey, Geoff Pettigrew and support from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). He then recruited the directors for the Foundation. Peter left MKDC in 1988.