The High Sheriff's Charity Ride, 16th-23rd September 2012: Our Starting Point

Olney's location

Every journey must have a starting point and ours is in Olney, located in the very north of the County as you can see from the map on the left.

On Sunday 16th September 2012, The High Sheriff and her posse will be taking over the traditional market square of Olney Town to officially launch the start of her Charity Ride.

We are hoping that it will be a real spectacle thanks to all the help we have received from The Cowper and Newton Museum.

The Cowper and Newton Museum was opened in 1900 and has been a part of Olney’s heritage ever since. The museum houses a substantial collection of poems and works from the proclaimed 18^th Century poet William Cowper, who lived for a number of years in Olney itself and the nearby village of Weston Underwood.

A portrait of William Cowper by Lemuel Francis Abbott

Cowper’s most well known works include the following:

· The famous Olney Hymns, published in 1779

·         John Gilpin written in 1782. Cowper only admitted authorship to this piece of work after it had been well received. It was the work that was to make him a household name.
·         The Task, published in 1785. This work was popular among high figures of society, including the Royal Family and later influenced Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth.
·         The Castaway, written in 1799

Portraint of John Newton

Whilst living in Olney, Cowper sparked up a great friendship with the Parish priest, John Newton, with whom he collaborated on the Olney Hymns with.

Newton is perhaps best known as the author of the hymn, Amazing Grace, written in collaboration with William Cowper.

During the morning of the 16^th September, before Carolyn sets off on her journey, there will be a reading of extracts from Cowper’s poem John Gilpin.

This event is open to ALL and we are encouraging everyone who would like to, to come along and support. Carolyn will be arriving on horseback between 11/11.15am so if you want to see her we would suggest that you arrive by 10.45am.

Once Carolyn has left, by 12pm, David Gooderson will perform extracts from his play The Castaway, a play based around the life of William Cowper. This event is to take place in the museum and gardens and will start at 12.30pm. This is a separate ticketed event. If you would like more information or tickets for this production please ring the Museum on 01234 711 516, or visit their website:

http://www.cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/events/category/museum-events/

For more information on the play vist David Gooderson's website:

http://david-gooderson.co.uk/stage-plays/the-castaway.php