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John Harris of the Guardian presents a new series telling the story of the UK in 2021 through the voices and stories of ordinary people in four places with a distinctive identity. In this first programme John and his producer Leala Padmanabhan visit Milton Keynes, a new town founded in 1967 in Buckinghamshire. Often caricatured as 'soulless' and full of concrete, in fact they discover a place rich in community spirit, green space and a can-do optimism which can be traced back to the original vision of the early Milton Keynes pioneers.

From the very beginning Milton Keynes welcomed immigrants moving there in search of a better life, and John hears several stories from MK settlers, including those who came in the first wave from London, and a family of Ghanian heritage who left South London in search of a safer and more peaceful life in the affluent suburb of Oakgrove.

In Woughton and Netherfield, two of the more deprived communities, John talks to people about how they are tackling housing, inequality and other social issues as we emerge from the Covid pandemic; and explores these challenges with the leader of the borough council, Pete Marland.

Many in Milton Keynes have aged together in a cohort and John finishes his visit by talking to residents of a retirement village about how they have tackled the challenges of ageing, rediscovering a spirit of optimism, design and forward thinking.

The programme contains some references to roundabouts.

Producer: Leala Padmanabhan.