Welcome to Olney
Thanks you for visiting our website to find out all about Olney, our beautiful market town in Buckinghamshire; with historic buildings, lots of shops, entertainment, events, clubs, societies and a lively local market we are sure you will enjoy your visit
Olney Pancake Race
Olney Pancake Race is held in Olney every year In February. This year it took place on February 21st and Eloise Kramer took Olney to victory in both the local race and the international race with Liberal in Kansas.
Olney Pancake Race
Pictured left is a picture of the start from several years ago.
The double-page spread (below) in Phonebox Magazine can be clicked on and will take you to the article on the web. More pictures are available to view on Facebook and we have a few below for you also.
Eloise pictured above at the end of the race, still with her frying pan and first place certificate.
Olney Town Council Meet every month of the year, except August … usually!!
Find out what they are up to by going here
Olney Shops, Restaurants, Pubs, Events, and Entertainment
Olney has a wide range of shops where you can find everything you would expect in a market town
Shops
There are some great shops in Olney, with a lot to offer. Find out more by clicking the link above. See the latest edition of the Phonebox Magazine for any offers they may have.
Restaurants
There are a great choice of Restaurants and Eateries in Olney and the surrounding area which can be found here. Look to our local magazine for offers and choices.
Pubs
Olney has some very nice local pubs, The Swan Inn, The Two Brewers, The Bull and The Cherry Tree; and a lot more just outside the town.
History
Some of the History of Olney can be found here with links to other sites with even more information.
Countryside
This picture shows the beautiful countryside surrounding the town of Olney.
Useful Numbers, Clubs and Societies
We have a list of Useful Numbers, Clubs & Societies Churches and Medical Facilities in Olney by clicking on the link above that visitors to the town will find most useful.
IndieGo Music Nights at The Two Brewers
The Two Brewers Pub hosts IndieGo Music Nights on the second Thursday of the month. Sponsored by Phonebox Magazine.
Olney Jazz Club at the Carlton Club
The Carlton House Club hosts Olney Jazz Club on the first Tuesday of the month. Visitors are most welcome. Sponsored by Phonebox Magazine.
More Interesting Things in Olney
And you can find out about them all here.
Olney Bands
The Music Scene in Olney.
Coming soon, more on our local bands and musicians.
Olney Churches
Churches Together in Olney.
Information on local churches can be found here.
Olney Business
Olney Businesses.
A list of Olney Businesses for you to peruse.
Countdown to Amazing Grace 250
All eyes are set to be on Olney in 2023, when the town will be at the centre of commemorations to mark the 250th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved hymns, ‘Amazing Grace’.
Composed by the Reverend John Newton in the weeks leading up to his New Year’s Day service at St Peter & St Paul Church on 1st January 1773, the hymn – in various different musical styles – has gone on to inspire countless people and has even become known in America as the nation’s “spiritual anthem”.
Preparations are already well underway to mark the anniversary with a number of events throughout 2022 and 2023, and on 1st January this year an online calendar was launched to start raising awareness – and to inspire people in and around Olney to think about organising their own events.
“’Amazing Grace’ is a hymn that means so many things to so many different people, and so we didn’t want to mark its 250th anniversary with just one big official event,” explains Cowper & Newton museum trustee Amanda Molcher.
“In the coming months, we’ll be looking to fill the calendar with more and more events to celebrate this incredibly important song, and we’d love to hear from local groups and individuals who would like to join in by organising their own events and celebrations.”
The calendar already lists an Amazing Grace Morning Service at St Peter & St Paul, which will act as the formal start to the celebrations on 1st January 2023. Two one-day conferences, hosted by the Open University and examining the hymn’s origins and enduring legacy, are scheduled for mid-July of 2022.
Other plans include the setting up of an Amazing Grace Community Quilt Project which will lead to the creation of a large quilt dedicated to the hymn that will then tour venues around Olney and beyond. The Olney Allotment Association will use the anniversary to establish a new community orchard, while the Cowper & Newton Museum has begun work on a ‘Sharing Heritage’ project, that will tell the stories of the people and places of Olney through new information boards and heritage trails.
If you have an idea for Amazing Grace 250, or would like to offer support for the anniversary preparations, please email the event team at olneyag250@yahoo.co.uk
Click here to listen to the choir sing Amazing Grace
Events planned so far
Lecture on the hymn Amazing Grace's enduring legacy
July 15th 2022
A day to explore the origins, legacy and enduring popularity of ‘Amazing Grace.' You will be welcomed into the Church of St Peter & St Paul – central to the story of John Newton, where he is commemorated in stained glass. More lecture details and booking information will follow.
Open University Lecture on Amazing Grace origins
July 16th 2022
This special day of lectures, hosted by The Open University, will explore how the hymn Amazing Grace originated, its legacy and why it has proved so enduring. As we get more information on the lecturers, break-out sessions and booking, these will feature here.
Amazing Grace Morning Service in John Newton's Church
January 1st 2023 at 10am to 11am
Why not join the 'Amazing Grace morning service' in John Newton's own church. It was here he held his morning service, the sermon for which the hymn 'Amazing Grace' was written. A unique experience marking the formal start of the 2023 anniversary year.
