The History of Olney in Pictures and Words

Photo of the Olney Sign in the Market Place

Olney, it’s history, some facts and a few pictures, old and new, are all available here, or for more information and pictures of the town go to Phonebox Magazine.


A picture of Olney Church from the Air

Olney pictured from the air in the 1950s

Where did the name Olney originate from

It is not known exactly where the name Olney originated, although it is known to date back to Anglo Saxon times and was mentioned in the Treaty of Wedmore in 876AD when the Danes were here.

Left: A picture of Olney from the air, around the 1950s.

Some Pictures of Old Olney

Cowper Roller Mill and Church, Olney
Cowper
Cowper
Market Place, High Street, Olney
Stacks Image 86111
Stacks Image 86114
Stacks Image 86117
Stacks Image 86120
Stacks Image 86124
Stacks Image 86127
Stacks Image 86130
Stacks Image 86133
Stacks Image 86137
Stacks Image 86140
Stacks Image 86143
Stacks Image 86146

Midland Road Railway Station in Olney

The Spelling of Olney

The spelling of Olney has changed many times over the centuries with O L N E I recorded in the Domesday Book. The current spelling of O L N E Y was settled on in the 18th century. The various spellings probably account for the pronunciation by long standing residents as Oney and some newer residents as Olney.

Left: A picture of Midland Road Railway Station in Olney.

Pictures of Olney’s Railway Station

Stacks Image 86017
Railway Ticket, Olney, Steam Engine
Train, Flood, Olney, Railway, Line
BRTA, Support, Train, Tracks
Olney, Rail, Crash, Steam Engine, Bridge
Rrailway Train
Steam Engine, Train, Wheels
Sidings, Olney, Steam Engine
Train, Engine, Olney Station
Steam engine, Bridge, Olney
Taxi, Midland Road, Olney
Midland Railway Station, Olney
Steam Engine, outside Olney
Stacks Image 86023
Stacks Image 86020
Australian Cricket Team, Train, Homeward Bound

The Train now leaving Olney platform of Midland Road Railway Station

The Pronunciations of Olney

Whilst this causes some light-hearted banter between Olneyites and other Olney residents both pronunciations are acceptable.

Left: A picture of a train leaving Midland Road Railway Station in Olney, around the 1950s.


More Pictures of Old Olney

Cowper Roller Mill and Church, Olney
Market Place South, 1923
Cowper
Garners, Bull Hotel, Olney
Cowper
Westlands in Olney Market Place
Market Place, High Street, Olney
Olney Railway Station
Stacks Image 86048
A Timperley Shop in Olney
Stacks Image 86053
Garners Shop in Olney
Stacks Image 86058
Olney War Memorial
Stacks Image 86063
Aerial view of Olney Market Place
Stacks Image 86069
Olney Market Place from the Museum
Stacks Image 86074
Olney Memorial
Stacks Image 86079
Olney Viicky and The Bull Hotel
Stacks Image 86084
Sowman’s Shop in Olney
Stacks Image 86090
Olney, East of the Market Place
Stacks Image 86095
Early morning in Olney Market Place
Stacks Image 86100
Olney Cinema
Stacks Image 86105
Garners of Olney October 1931

The platform at Olney Railway Station

How Big is Olney

In terms of size, Olney is 4 miles long, 2.5 miles wide, totals 3,410 acres and has a population of around 6,000. Olney is a market town and as you enter the town travelling North on the A509 you will see the 185ft Spire of the Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul blending in beautifully with the surrounding countryside. Once in the town you will see the Market Place on the right bordered by delightful sponsored flowerbeds and hanging baskets that are so well looked after by the council ground staff. Records of a market being held in Olney date back to 1205 and today we still have a flourishing weekly Thursday market. In 2003 a Farmers’ Market was set up by the Town Council to operate on the first Sunday of each month. The Farmers’ Market has been an unqualified success and continues to attract new stallholders.

Left: A picture of a train arriving at Midland Road Railway Station in Olney, around the 1950s.


Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney

The Cowper & Newton Museum on the South Side of Olney

On the South side of the Market Place stands the Cowper & Newton Museum. The museum was the residence of the renowned Poet and world famous literary scholar William Cowper. He, together with his close friend the Rev. John Newton, the reformed Slave Trader, who was to become Curate of St Peter & St Paul’s Church have been the two most prominent residents of Olney over the years. Together they wrote the Olney Hymns, the most famous of which is Amazing Grace, which I am sure you are all familiar with. As well as artefacts and details of the lives of William Cowper and John Newton there are examples of the lace making and boot and shoe trades, which apart from agriculture were the main businesses employing residents of Olney from the 18th to early 20th centuries.

Left: A picture of the Cowper & Newton Museum on the Market Place in Olney. Click on it to see more pictures of the Museum


The Footbridge over Olney Railway Station

An Enjoyable Feature of Olney

One of the most enjoyable features of living in Olney is the feeling of being in a close community who interact and support each other in so many ways. Our local monthly publication called the Phonebox, avidly read by most residents publishes a wide range of editorial, publicity and advertising features, which provide information and details of so much of what is available and happening in Olney. There is a list of all the clubs, associations and societies at the end of each publication and these number in excess of 70. To give you an idea of Olney’s community spirit you just need to walk down to the extensive recreation fields, which so many of our visitors drool over, at the week-ends. There you will find literally hundreds of youngsters being coached throughout the seasons in the sports of cricket, football, rugby and tennis. The coaches are usually mums and dads from the town who are either still playing or have played the various sports and through their efforts will keep the clubs strong in the future.

Left: A picture of Midland Road Railway Station in Olney, around the 1950s.


Olney Pancake Runners trying their best

Olney Pancake Race

Another feature Olney is well known for is the annual Pancake Race held on Shrove Tuesday, which dates back to 1445. The Olney Race is based on a tale that a housewife was in her kitchen making her pancakes on Shrove Tuesday when she heard the Church Bells ringing for the Shriving Service. Desperate not to be late she made a mad dash for the Church with her frying pan still in her hand. Moving on to 1950 the town of Liberal in Kansas USA read about the Olney Pancake Race tradition and decided to adopt the tradition themselves and then challenged Olney to an annual race with the fastest time from the two races declared the overall winner. Olney accepted the challenge and the two towns have competed each year ever since.

Left: A picture of some of the ladies approaching the finish line in the Pancake Race


The Olney Children take on the Rugby Club

Cherry Fair in Olney

Cherry Fair is an annual summertime event which is supported by many residents in the town. It is a traditional village style fete run by St Peter & St Paul’s Church, which takes place on the last Saturday in June. The next day a Duck Race, when hundreds of little yellow rubber ducks are launched from the weir bridge with the winner being the first duck to reach the main bridge. This is followed by a Raft Race with different categories of rafts needing to be paddled approximately 1.5 miles ending at the river steps in the Recreation Ground alongside an arena area, which contain a number of stalls and attractions.

Left: A Tug of War at the Cherry Fair Olney when the children take on the Rugby Club.


Olney Ladies including Elaine Baron, pictured on Dickens Day with a Reindeer

Probably the most popular day in Olney

Probably the most popular day in Olney is a Sunday in early December called Dickens of a Christmas, which is organised by Olney Town Council. A variety of stalls and entertainment at a number of locations up and down the High Street, both indoors and outdoors, with participants dressed appropriately for the Dickens era brings thousands of people from near and far into the town.

Left: Dickens of a Christmas in Olney, with a reindeer of course…


Schoolkids pictured outside

Education in Olney

Educationally we are fortunate to have an Infants School, a Middle School and a new Secondary School in the town. The Infants and Middle Schools both play an integral role within the community and participate in many of the town’s activities such as Cherry Fair, Dickens of a Christmas and The Pancake Race. The Secondary School has been built for youngsters from the age of 11 to 16 and opened for the 2007 summer term.

Left: A picture of school children in Olney.


Olney Market Place Postcard

And Finally .....

I hope that gives you a thumbnail sketch of Olney’s historical background and life today in Olney. We all love our beautiful town and the Estate Agents down the High Street will be happy to see you if you feel you would like to come and live with us in our little English Oasis. We hope you will visit Olney and enjoy your time with us. Ron Hall

Left: A picture of the Market Place in quieter times in Olney.


Stay in touch to find out what is happening in Olney

Must contain an email address
Thank you! Your submission was successfully sent :-)×
Opps! Some went wrong... Your submission did not go through :-(×
Prickly Pear Icon

Made by Prickly Pear