Olney, Buckinghamshire

History: I suspect with "gent's" they advertising shoes for gentlemen rather than a Belgian city? But in the absence of a source, who can say.

← Previous revision Revision as of 10:14, 29 April 2026 Line 51: Line 51: In the late 18th century, the poet [[William Cowper]] and anti-slavery campaigner and cleric [[John Newton]] collaborated in the town on what became known as the [[Olney Hymns]], which include [[Amazing Grace]]. Olney has the [[Cowper and Newton Museum]] dedicated to them, adapted from Cowper's former residence, and given to the town in 1905 by the publisher William Hill Collingridge (who had been born in the house). Newton was succeeded as curate in Olney by the biblical commentator [[Thomas Scott (commentator)|Thomas Scott]] (1747–1821). In July 2022, the museum celebrated the 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace with exhibitions and special events.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/milton-keynes-looks-back-on-amazing-year-of-celebrations-to-mark-250th-anniversary-of-hymn-amazing-grace-4359282|title=Milton Keynes looks back on amazing year of celebrations to mark 250th anniversary of hymn Amazing Grace|work=[[Milton Keynes Citizen]]|date=6 October 2023}}</ref> In the late 18th century, the poet [[William Cowper]] and anti-slavery campaigner and cleric [[John Newton]] collaborated in the town on what became known as the [[Olney Hymns]], which include [[Amazing Grace]]. Olney has the [[Cowper and Newton Museum]] dedicated to them, adapted from Cowper's former residence, and given to the town in 1905 by the publisher William Hill Collingridge (who had been born in the house). Newton was succeeded as curate in Olney by the biblical commentator [[Thomas Scott (commentator)|Thomas Scott]] (1747–1821). In July 2022, the museum celebrated the 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace with exhibitions and special events.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/milton-keynes-looks-back-on-amazing-year-of-celebrations-to-mark-250th-anniversary-of-hymn-amazing-grace-4359282|title=Milton Keynes looks back on amazing year of celebrations to mark 250th anniversary of hymn Amazing Grace|work=[[Milton Keynes Citizen]]|date=6 October 2023}}</ref>

The town was a centre of the [[Bucks point lace|Buckinghamshire lace-making industry]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=History Of Lace-making |url=https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/lacemaking/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref> noted in 1769 for ‘considerable Manufacture of Bone-lace’.<ref name=":0" /> Armstrong's 1928 Lace Factory is prominent in the High Street, ornamented as "the Bucks Lace Industry".<ref>{{Cite web |title=A BRIEF HISTORY OF OLNEY LACE FACTORY (1928 to 1943) - |url=https://www.mkheritage.org.uk/odhs/summary-blog-no-xx-olney-lace-factory-1928-1943/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="O&SHS">{{Cite web |title=Olney & Disrict History Society. Victorian & later eras (1837 – Present) - |url=https://www.mkheritage.org.uk/odhs/victorian-present-eras-1837-present/ |access-date=2026-04-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref>[[File:Armstrong's Lace Factory.jpg|thumb|Armstrong's Lace Factory, Olney High Street]] The town was a centre of the [[Bucks point lace|Buckinghamshire lace-making industry]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=History Of Lace-making |url=https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/lacemaking/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref> noted in 1769 for 'considerable Manufacture of Bone-lace'.<ref name=":0" /> Armstrong's 1928 Lace Factory is prominent in the High Street, ornamented as "the Bucks Lace Industry".<ref>{{Cite web |title=A BRIEF HISTORY OF OLNEY LACE FACTORY (1928 to 1943) - |url=https://www.mkheritage.org.uk/odhs/summary-blog-no-xx-olney-lace-factory-1928-1943/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="O&SHS">{{Cite web |title=Olney & Disrict History Society. Victorian & later eras (1837 – Present) - |url=https://www.mkheritage.org.uk/odhs/victorian-present-eras-1837-present/ |access-date=2026-04-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref>[[File:Armstrong's Lace Factory.jpg|thumb|Armstrong's Lace Factory, Olney High Street]] [[File:Cowper Works.jpg|thumb|Cowper Works, Hinde & Mann's former shoe factory on corner of Midland Rd, now Kensington Place apartments]] [[File:Cowper Works.jpg|thumb|Cowper Works, Hinde & Mann's former shoe factory on corner of Midland Rd, now Kensington Place apartments]]

In the nineteenth century shoe-making expanded as a cottage industry in Olney, with a tannery on the river from the eighteenth into the twentieth century. In 1891 Hinde & Mann established the Cowper Works, which became the town's largest employer, producing 6000 pairs a week,<ref>SHOE AND LEATHER TRADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM By ARTHUR B. BUTMAN. Department of Commerce and Labour. Washington DC, 1912.https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/SERIALSET-06280_00_00-006-0868-0000/pdf/SERIALSET-06280_00_00-006-0868-0000.pdf</ref> before making military boots during World War 1, and later advertising as the world's largest maker of Gent's tan shoes. The building was later used to make Lodge sparkplugs for World War 2 aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olney History HIghlights 4.6 Modern synthesis and components (1800-Present) |url=https://www.mkheritage.org.uk/olney-history-elements/4-6-modern-synthesis-and-components-1800-present/ |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=Milton Keynes Heritage |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://cowperworks.com/history/ |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=Cowper Works |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="O&SHS" /><ref name="Assessment Report">Olney Buckinghamshire Historic Towns Assessment Report. [https://media.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/documents/olney-final-report.pdf#:~:text=Hinde%20and%20Mann%20Shoe%20Factory%2FLodge,corner%20of%20Station%20Road%20and Buckinghamshire County Council 2010 https://media.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/documents/olney-final-report.pdf#:~:text=Hinde%20and%20Mann%20Shoe%20Factory%2FLodge,corner%20of%20Station%20Road%20and]</ref> In the nineteenth century shoe-making expanded as a cottage industry in Olney, with a tannery on the river from the eighteenth into the twentieth century. In 1891 Hinde & Mann established the Cowper Works, which became the town's largest employer, producing 6000 pairs a week,<ref>SHOE AND LEATHER TRADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM By ARTHUR B. BUTMAN. Department of Commerce and Labour. Washington DC, 1912.https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/SERIALSET-06280_00_00-006-0868-0000/pdf/SERIALSET-06280_00_00-006-0868-0000.pdf</ref> before making military boots during World War 1, and later advertising as the world's largest maker of men's tan shoes.{{cn}} The building was later used to make Lodge sparkplugs for World War 2 aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olney History HIghlights 4.6 Modern synthesis and components (1800-Present) |url=https://www.mkheritage.org.uk/olney-history-elements/4-6-modern-synthesis-and-components-1800-present/ |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=Milton Keynes Heritage |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://cowperworks.com/history/ |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=Cowper Works |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="O&SHS" /><ref name="Assessment Report">Olney Buckinghamshire Historic Towns Assessment Report. [https://media.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/documents/olney-final-report.pdf#:~:text=Hinde%20and%20Mann%20Shoe%20Factory%2FLodge,corner%20of%20Station%20Road%20and Buckinghamshire County Council 2010 https://media.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/documents/olney-final-report.pdf#:~:text=Hinde%20and%20Mann%20Shoe%20Factory%2FLodge,corner%20of%20Station%20Road%20and]</ref> ===Olney Park Farm=== ===Olney Park Farm=== The hamlet of Olney Park Farm to the north of the town derives its name from a park established in 1374 by Ralph, Lord Basset.<ref name="VCH">{{cite book |chapter-url= https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/bucks/vol4/pp429-439 | chapter = Parishes : Olney with Warrington The hamlet of Olney Park Farm to the north of the town derives its name from a park established in 1374 by Ralph, Lord Basset.<ref name="VCH">{{cite book |chapter-url= https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/bucks/vol4/pp429-439 | chapter = Parishes : Olney with Warrington