In B  
  Cherry Fair
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Barbara Segal and her dance group on August 30th. Barbara Segal is a specialist in baroque dance, a fashionable dance in Europe from 1 650 to 1 750. Sometimes, it is considered the forerunner of classical ballet. It originated at the court of Louis XIV and became known as the French noble style, a highly stylised form of baroque dance. This elegant, graceful dance rapidly spread throughout Europe.
  ne of the worst deluges in recent
memory tried to dampen the bells at the St Peter and St Paul church, Olney, as it welcomed visitors to the town's annual Cherry Fair.
The first two hours were a wash out, even though a few hardy visitors braved the torrents to enjoytea, coffee, cakes, burgers and Pimms. The skies finally cleared and the alpacas (new to the fair) appeared bedraggled from their trailer to the admiration of the growing crowd.
It was difficult to make up the lost takings due to the weather, but the water cricket, led by Revd Claire Wood, proved to be the popular event of the day, Despite the weather, the Olney Brass Band managed to get in a set and the dog show went ahead. A profit is still expected, although it will be disappointing compared to previous years. A huge thank you to all the helpers and public who braved the weather to have a good time.
Public feedback on the fair is welcome, as well as anybody interested in getting involved next year, whether it be assistance, helping on the committee or running a stall. Please email info@olneyparish.org.uk.
What a magical day it will be! Dressed in Georgian period, we will carry our visitors back 250 years to when our museum was the home of the famous poet William Cowper, within which his great friend Reverend John Newton would visit him regularly (from 1 768 to 1780).
Paula Noble, House Manager with Brian Parker, Volunteer
 gether they wrote the Olney Hymns and chatted about the possibility of publishing the famous words of the well-known hymn Amazing Grace, written by Newton following his conversion to Christianity, when he prayed to God for mercy during a violent storm at sea.
concert (Clearwater Concert), at Madison Square Garden in 2009, in singing a magical, soul-stirring version of Amazing Grace. The new bench was officially dedicated to Pete Seeger and his wife Toshi, who were so moved by this famous hymn.
Amazing Grace
Hollington Wood
Pete Seeger sadly passed away earlier this year. We hope John Yatchisin's bench will evoke happy memories of him for our American visitors and the museum thank Mr Yatchisin for this thoughtful idea.
  0 Best Kept Village
John Yatchisin, a New York visitor to the Cowper and Newton Museum (currently living locally), has a passion for the origins of the world-renowned hymn Amazing Grace. He approached the museum to ask if he could dedicate a bench in our garden to honou r Peter 'Pete; Seeger (May 3, 1 9 1 9 -January27,2014).
Lots of plans are bubbling at Hollington Wood. Having had a nightmare month of pig escapes and a lot of wasted time and effo , it's all hands on deck in stocking up firewood.
 lney is celebrating as it has won The
With school holidays in full swing, the wood is open up for lots of activities, run by Jessica Flowers and the MK Play Association. Jess is doing Forest School sessions on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings, and a taster for her Earthy Explorers on Friday, August 25th. Contact her on (07789) 938996 if you want to find out more.
Michaelis Cup in the Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village awards. Entrants were assessed on various features within their villages with categories covering playing
The reason being that John Newton, one of two Georgian gentlemen whose lives are celebrated in our museum, originally wrote the words of 'Amazing Grace' for his New Year's Day sermon in St Peter and St Paul Church, Olney, in 1 773.
fields, recreation grounds, village halls, war memorials, notice boards and areas around shops and pubs.
The judges were also looking for evidence of community effort. Competition chairman, Richard Pushman commented: "There were excellent standards throughout the competing villages this year, and the judges were very impressed with the general upkeep and absence of litter. Almost all the entries displayed much evidence of good village life with numerous activities and community participation."
Pete Seeger, a much-loved, hugely popular American folk singer and activist, led the 1 8,000-strong audience at his 90th birthday
MKPA are running all day PAL sessions every weekday through t h e first two weeks of August (4th- 1 5th).
Apart from making sure here is 200 cubic metres of firewood seasoning in the sun, ready to keep you warm in the winter, the wood will be open to the public on Bank Holiday Monday (25th). Similar to this year's Bluebell Day, they will provide plenty of interest with lots of stalls, refreshments and things going on.
 Georgian Tea Party
The Cowper and Newton Museum will be hosting a Georgian tea party featuring
If anyone is interested in booking the wood for visits, guided walks, activities, camping or private functions, please contact Philip (07762 441 275) or John (07895 760343).
 Paul Collins (left), Chair of the Trustees with John Yatchisin
Go to facebook.com/HollingtonWood for
more information.
Phonebox Magazine 75