MK Forum is planning a series of talks as part of the build-up to the city’s 50th anniversary in 2017 under the title of “MK Pioneers” and the first event will feature speaker Bill Berrett. Bill was an architect working for Bucks CC in the early 1960s and one day he was approached by Fred Pooley (the County Architect) to work upon a confidential project for a New Town in North Buckinghamshire, which duly acquired the nickname of “Pooleyville”. Bill personally drew the initial plans and worked closely with Fred in developing them and presenting them to the local people. He subsequently joined MKDC in 1968 before leaving to become Director of Planning and Social Development in Auckland. Bill is therefore one of the very few people who can genuinely claim to have been involved at the very start of MK. Bill will put the birth of MK into an historical perspective as well as talking about the proposed monorail system that was an integral part of Pooleyville and giving his thoughts about how it has subsequently developed. Please book online via the Gallery’s website http://www.mkgallery.org/