Man who organised housing for tens of thousands of Milton Keynes residents celebrates his 100th birthday

Ben Affleck MBE came to MK in 1970 to be Director for Housing for the newly-formed Milton Development Corporation, which was tasked with building a huge new town from a scattering of existng towns and villages and acres of countryside.

His job was to plan and supervise the building of tens of thousands of new homes to house the new communities on individual estates.

Born in Manchester and brought up in Rotherham, he worked in communications for the RAF during the war. Afterwards he began his working career in housing, starting off as a rent collector.

He was the first male to be employed by the Society of Women's Housing Management and later became a Member of the Institute of Housing Managers.

Mr Affleck, who lives on Bancroft, retired in 1980, and then took up an appointment in London to set up the National Mobility Scheme. A few years later he was honored with an MBE for his services to the community..

He has always been involved in some sort of voluntary work with all sorts of organisations throughout his life wherever he lived, say his family,

In MK he was involved with The Stables, starting out as a car park attendant and ending up chairman of the committee. He is one of the founding members of MK Rotary Club, taking his turn as president of the club.. He is also a founder member of MK Macular Society.

His daughter-in-law Sandy said: "With Rotary he was always involved in their various fund raising activities and practical things such as their Lend- a Hand- day, doing jobs such as gardening and cleaning windows for the disabled and elderly. He also used to help out regularly at the hospital wheeling patients to the chapel services on Sundays, and later helping to run the hospital radio.

"I think the last time he was out actively taking part in Rotary practical activities was aged 98. Nowadays he still attends their meetings, but by Zoom."

Mr Affleck's family plan to celebrate his birthday with a Covid-safe 'drive -past' to call on neighbours and distribute birthday cake.

"We plan to decorate the car and put decorations all along the route. Hopefully the sun will shine and everyone can celebrate!" said Sandy.