Saturday 5th July
The church will be hosting a History Day to mark the 700th anniversary, with speakers and exhibitions.
10:30am to 11:30am
The church and the historical and archaeological landscapes of Olney: the first 70 thousand years – a talk by Professor Stephen Upex
Olney Archaeological Society are presenting a talk by Professor Upex, a Landscape Archaeologist from the University of Cambridge. He lectures widely within the UK and works as a freelance archaeologist and consultant. He has published many books and papers on the Roman occupation and the Middle Ages and is a familiar face on Time Team and other TV shows.
Refreshments will be available after the talk
2:00pm to 4:00pm
Presentation on the history of the church by Malcolm Jones
The family of Liz Knight have generously gifted her papers on the history of Olney Church to the church, together with other papers gifted to the Cowper and Newton Museum. This afternoon will give you an opportunity to delve into Liz’s research papers to find out more about our church. We shall also be presenting extracts from the files looking at the origins of the church (where was the church before 1325?), the Chantry Chapel, the Rood Screen and the mystery of the painting of Elijah and the Ravens, alongside historical figures associated with the church such as William Worcester, who emigrated to set up a church in Massachusetts.
