| Postcards of the Past |
| Olney, Buckinghamshire |
Olney is a small (pop c 7500) market town in North Buckinghamshire, roughly equidistant
from Bedford, Northampton and Milton Keynes. Like most places it has expanded in recent
years, but has still managed to retain much of its old character and beauty. I've lived here
since 1980 - hence my interest !!
Pancake Race. The town is known around the world for its annual Pancake Race - held, as
you might expect, every Shrove Tuesday. The race dates back to 1445, and is for women of
the town who race from the starting line outside the "Bull" to the church, some 415 yards
away - with of course a frying pan and a pancake. In 1950 the race became an International
event when the Vicar of Olney, Canon Collins received a challenge from the town of Liberal in
Kansas. A similar race now takes place there on Pancake Day and the winning times are then
compared to find an overall winner.
Olney Hymns. The poet William Cowper lived in Olney and in nearby Weston Underwood
in the eighteenth century. Together with the curate of Olney, John Newton, they produced
the "Olney Hymns", one of which is "Amazing Grace". Newton is buried in Olney churchyard.
from Bedford, Northampton and Milton Keynes. Like most places it has expanded in recent
years, but has still managed to retain much of its old character and beauty. I've lived here
since 1980 - hence my interest !!
Pancake Race. The town is known around the world for its annual Pancake Race - held, as
you might expect, every Shrove Tuesday. The race dates back to 1445, and is for women of
the town who race from the starting line outside the "Bull" to the church, some 415 yards
away - with of course a frying pan and a pancake. In 1950 the race became an International
event when the Vicar of Olney, Canon Collins received a challenge from the town of Liberal in
Kansas. A similar race now takes place there on Pancake Day and the winning times are then
compared to find an overall winner.
Olney Hymns. The poet William Cowper lived in Olney and in nearby Weston Underwood
in the eighteenth century. Together with the curate of Olney, John Newton, they produced
the "Olney Hymns", one of which is "Amazing Grace". Newton is buried in Olney churchyard.
If you have any memories, interesting facts or some old postcards of Olney which you
would like to see here, please get in touch - we'd be delighted to hear from you !
would like to see here, please get in touch - we'd be delighted to hear from you !
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| You may find the following links to be of interest: Olney Town Council - The Official Town Council Website with information about the town and a list of organisations and contacts. The Unoffical Olney Page - A website with a miscellany of information about Olney. Sports Clubs in Olney - Cricket - Football - Rugby Football - Tennis - Netball |
| Click here for our postcards of Olney, or search the internet for more about Olney and North Buckinghamshire....or search our website for your favourite place ! |