Dickens of a Christmas
Each year, the historic market town of Olney is transported back in time to the era of Victoriana and Charles Dickens as the town is transformed into times past.
At our Market Place, the weekly market returns but with appropriately dressed stalls and stallholders surrounded by a wide range of smaller stalls and food outlets run by many of the town’s residents and organisations. Themed entertainment, a farmers market, Father Christmas, a fairground and many of the town retailers open to serve the thousands who come into town to savor the atmosphere. Our aim is to give our visitors a day out which will be one to be remembered thanks to the effort of so many people, especially those getting into theme by dressing in Dickensian costume.
In 2011, cars could be left in the Free Car Parks situated at Emberton Park and Yardley Road Industrial Estate - all clearly signposted from the entrances to town. A frequent free bus service was operated throughout the day, thanks to Souls coaches who whisked our visitors into the Market Place where they could commence their experience of wandering around the various stalls and shops, listening and watching the themed entertainment and hopefully, bring some fun back into what is rapidly becoming a time of trauma for many.
Strangers to the town can help themselves to a leaflet outling the various locations in the town which are worth visiting and these were available on board the buses, at all of the craft fayre entrances and a number of retailers.
Lions Craft Fayres
As part of our contribution to the event, visitors can attend the Lions Craft Fayres located in three sites throughout the town. With around 80 stalls located at the Bull Inn, Carlton House Club and Olney centre which can be browsed for a single fee of £1 per adult (unaccompanied children .50p) visitors have unlimited admission throughout the day.
Virtually all the goods are hand crafted by the stallholders or their friends and you can get that totally unique Christmas present for a fraction of the cost you would expect to pay in retail premises. Jewellery, wood turning, Christmas gifts, knitting, beadwork, glassware, art, photography, gem trees, even cupcakes .............are but a few of the many crafts on display.
If you would like to have a look at some photos of the Craft Fayre and the event in general, just click on this link and you will be transported as if by magic, to our photo album. Just close the album page to come back here.
We receive sponsorship every year from .jpg)
, Olney's premier flooring specialist who we are indebted to, not just for the financial support we receive but for the encouragement which spurs us on to keep the event going.
Like to apply to take part next year? You can download an application form below and send it off to us to ensure you receive an invitation to apply for the 2012 event. Remember, though, we only want hand produced items - this is a Craft Fayre and we do demand that items are created and produced by a craftsperson.
Birds of Prey Exhibition
Also flying in for the day (via 4 wheels) are our Birds of Prey who have come to enjoy their annual outing at Olney, setting up their perches in the Gardens of the Olney Centre helping to add to the atmosphere of the event. These beautiful rapters love nothing better than to get up close to our visitors and under the watchful gaze of our falconers, both man and bird are only too pleased to share their knowledge about the ancient sport of falconry.
We are again indebted to another friend of Lions, Malcolm Page and Jan Prymaka 
from JRCS Falconry for bringing along the birds and allowing our visitors to get up close to some magnificent specimens of these beautiful raptors.
Our most appealing exhibit, Oscar the British Barn Owl, unfortunately passed onto his big nest in the sky having, at 18, enjoyed many years at Dickens and it is with some sadness that we learned of his passing. We will still had plenty of other exhibits from Malcolm and Jan's collections with us for our visitors to admire.
If you drop by the Olney Centre Gardens, we would encourage you to speak to the experienced falconers and learn a little about the ancient sport of falconry. They will not only be delighted to give you information about keeping birds but will also be happy to take donations on behalf of Raptor Rescue, the charity which looks after injured birds of prey. The falconers do not charge us for the event, doing it for the love of the sport and to help the charity so please show them your appreciation by being generous with your donation which will be sent to the charity by the Lions club. This event has raised many thousands of £££s over the years which has helped Raptor Rescue return hundreds of birds to the wild.
Like to Join us in 2012?
If you are a craftsperson, you can download a form here which will not only enable us to consider your applciation for this years event but will also ensure that you are added to our mailing list for future events:
Please return this to the club as outlined on the form along with your cheque for £60 which can, if you are prepared to help us create a real Dickensian atmosphere, be reduced to £45 for those who will be dressed in the Victorian theme.
Dickens of a Christmas Craft Fayre has been sponsored since its inception by
and the Lions Club would like to express our sincerest thanks for this long term support.