Olney, Buckinghamshire - Lace, Pancakes and Hymns

I visited Olney Camera Club on Wednesday so took time to photograph round the town (between the hail showers). Continental lacemakers came to Olney as a result of religious persecution in their own countries from the late 1500s through to the late 1600s. The lacemakers, particularly those from Lille and Mechlin taught the local women to make bobbin lace and thus began a cottage industry which lasted for over 300 years.
Olney is also famous for its pancake race which has been run since 1445. It was the home of  John Newton, a clergyman and slave trader, who turned abolitionist and wrote "Amazing Grace". William Cowper, poet and hymn writer, is also celebrated in the Newton and Cowper Museum.