Amazing Grace Community Orchard Official Opening

Amazing Grace Community OrchardOn 9 July, a special event was held to launch the Amazing Grace Orchard, a new community orchard planted in Olney – the market town known as the ‘Home of Amazing Grace’.

The Orchard, located by the Queens Canopy,  marks the 250th anniversary of the internationally known hymn, which was written in the town by Revd John Newton (1725-1807).  Today, the town’s Cowper & Newton Museum shares the history of the life of John Newton and, when the Olney Allotment Association learned of this milestone anniversary, they set out to plant a community orchard that would stand as a lasting legacy of the Amazing Grace 250 year.

With support from Olney Town Council and local residents, over 100 fruit trees have now been planted – and with support from The MK Foundation, Co-Op community Fund and local business grants, new artwork has also been installed.

The 9 July event, was open to everyone, and began at 10.30am outside the Cowper & Newton Museum, from where “Piper” Rod Elder led people to the Orchard. At 11am there was an Amazing Grace singalong, led by acclaimed vocal coach, Sophie Garner, and her choir, followed by music from internationally renowned Dan Evans English Dulcimers. In the afternoon,  the Cowper & Newton Museum held a special Sunday opening.

Commenting, Rohan Wedge, Olney Allotment Holders’ Association, said:

“The Amazing Grace Community Orchard could not have happened without the incredible support we have received from the local community, and I want to thank Olney Town Council and everyone who donated to our appeal, sponsored a tree and volunteered their time to help with planting.”

“The Orchard will have multiple benefits for our local community and wildlife, including opportunities to learn new skills in orchard management and wildlife conservation.  It will also become a historical and environmental educational resource for all generations.”

“Our celebration on 9 July was a wonderful way to say a very big thank you to everyone who has helped us along the way – and what better way to start the proceedings that with a singalong to Amazing Grace?”

Rod, Elder, Northampton Piper
A welcome from Rohan Wedge, Amazing Grace Community Orchard
Sophie Garner & Olney Voices

Jane Brushwood, Town Clerk, Olney Town Council, said: “We have been delighted to support this ongoing community project, with the orchard becoming a popular addition to our lovely allotment area. Linking the orchard to Amazing Grace, which is synonymous with Olney, is a great way of ensuring the current residents of Olney are reminded of the cultural heritage of their town’s past, as well as continuing to care for its wonderful open spaces into the future.”

Amanda Molcher, Trustee, Cowper & Newton Museum, said:

“We are delighted that Olney now has a community orchard, and that it has been inspired by our Amazing Grace 250 year.

Since it was written in Olney by the Revd John Newton – a naval seaman and slave ship captain, before he became a clergyman here in Olney and a figure in Britain’s Abolitionist Movement – Amazing Grace has been sung around the world.  Over the past year we have invited people in Olney, in Milton Keynes and beyond to share what this world-famous hymn and the life of its author mean today, and this has created an opportunity for valuable learning across the community. Olney has been at the heart of our programme and the Amazing Grace Orchard is a wonderful living legacy of an amazing year!”

Dan Evans, English Dulcimer
The signal from Tom Jones, Cowper & Newton Museum, to cut the ribbon
Cutting the ribbon
Heritage fruit trees growing in the Orchard
Find out more about the Community Orchard

You might also be interested in...

Lace Making

Lace Making at the Cowper & Newton Museum This is not an exhaustive account of lace, of lace-making techniques, or of the industry in the Eastern Counties, but just an introduction. We hope you find it interesting and useful.  Our extensive lace collection is on display at the Museum within

Read More »

Cowper’s spaniel, Beau

So familiar is the depiction of Cowper in terms of the three male hares that he reared and kept as pets, Puss, Bess and Tiney, that this frontispiece to an early and extensively illustrated book devoted to Cowper’s Olney may well come as something of a surprise. It shows a

Read More »

At The Museum

Britain’s Role in The Transatlantic Slave Trade

Britain as a Slave Trader: Rebellion, Revolt, and Resistance To introduce learners to that part of the Transatlantic Trade route known as the Middle Passage, the impact it had on the physical and mental states of the enslaved and how enslaved Africans and those of Caribbean descent resisted enslavement. Learners will be:• Encouraged to reflect

Read More »

Lace & Grace

The Lace & Grace sculpture, designed by artist Steve Purdue, will be sited in Olney. To find out more about the ideas and research behind the commission, visit Steve’s website Differentia – Public Art https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Lace-Grace-Steve-Pardue.mp4

Read More »

Chineke! Education Workshops for AG250

Forever?, a new  piece of music for voice and chamber ensemble, was commissioned by Cowper & Newton Museum with The Stables for Amazing Grace 250.   This commission also included an associated education and community programme for young musicians in local schools and the MK Music Hub. Led by the education team from Chineke!, young musicians

Read More »

Related Articles

Lace & Grace

The Lace & Grace sculpture, designed by artist Steve Purdue, will be sited in Olney. To find out more about the ideas and research behind the commission, visit Steve’s website Differentia – Public Art https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Lace-Grace-Steve-Pardue.mp4

Read More »

Chineke! Education Workshops for AG250

Forever?, a new  piece of music for voice and chamber ensemble, was commissioned by Cowper & Newton Museum with The Stables for Amazing Grace 250.   This commission also included an associated education and community programme for young musicians in local schools and the MK Music Hub. Led by the education team from Chineke!, young musicians

Read More »
Item added to cart.
0 items - £0.00

Book Museum Tickets

Our Museum building remains CLOSED.  We are opening our gardens on limited entry.  The Cowper & Newton Museum gardens will be open to welcome you on Wednesday 5th August 10.30 – 12.15 and Saturday 8th August 10.30 – 12.15

(Follow our social media accounts or check back here for further opening days & times as they become available)