Bill Griffiths
The museum is of great importance to me – and to Milton Keynes – as it tells the story of the area. And it all started after the announcement of MK.
People in the area at the time became very worried about this new town coming. You could imagine the situation; families who had been here for generations found their way of life was not going to continue. They were scared they were going to be swept away.
Bill Griffiths is the Museum Director at Milton Keynes Museum
So they started collecting everything that became available. So as farms finished, they pulled together the machinery. As little industries closed they would gather the engines they’d driven, or whatever. They kept whatever they could. But then they had nowhere to put it, until eventually Stacey Hill Farm became available in Wolverton… and the museum was born. I am so passionate about this place.
“People in the area at the time became very worried about this new town coming. You could imagine the situation; families who had been here for generations found their way of life was not going to continue.”
We discovered Milton Keynes just after we got married. I was working for London Zoo at the time, but we realised quite quickly that it would be cheaper for me to commute from MK to London rather than to live near work! So we brought a house in Bletchley, then later moved to Heelands. 26 years ago I was made redundant from the Zoo and it was then I found the museum. And alongside my wonderful volunteers – without whom the museum would be nothing – we’ve gone from strength to strength. I am deeply passionate about the museum, but I’m equally passionate about Milton Keynes as a place. We have everything! I think it’s just fantastic.”