The Beginnings of Amazing Grace 250

Advance planning for the 2022-3 anniversary of the writing of the hymn, Amazing Grace, began in 2018 with a meeting of representatives from the Cowper & Newton Museum, MK Council Culture team, Olney Town Council, Olney Chamber of Trade, local businesses and the parish church of St Peter & St Paul.

Through 2019, as interest in the anniversary grew, discussions widened and at a Town Meeting two Olney community projects got off the ground.

Discussions also with the wider community, including the Open University, the Friends of the Caribbean-MK, the Stables music venue, the African Diaspora Foundation–MK, the African and Caribbean Arts & Heritage Union-MK, the Sierra Leone Committee-MK and Arts & Heritage Alliance-MK led to the formation of a Steering Group. From this group, an initial Amazing Grace 250 (AG250) project and programme was created, with grant applications then submitted for 2 projects to Heritage Lottery and Arts Council England.

You might also be interested in...

Newton’s Straw-work Box

  We discuss here the materials and design of a straw-work box dating from the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century.  It belonged to the Reverend John Newton, Curate of St Peter and St. Paul Church, Olney from 1764 to 1779. The box – an overview The box is 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)