Olney, Milton Keynes

Olney, Milton Keynes

Olney is a small town in the Unitary District of Milton Keynes, England with a population of around 6,000 people. Prior to the administrative boundary change in 1995 is was in Buckinghamshire. It lies on the River Ouse.

The town originally grew as a lace-making centre, and is the location where the Olney Hymns were written. John Newton, author of the hymn Amazing Grace was curate of Olney and is buried here.

Since 1445, a pancake race has been run in the town every Shrove Tuesday. Every year since 1950, this has been in competition against Liberal, Kansas.