Buckinghamshire Historical Facts

Scenes of the period drama The Monuments Men were shot in Fingest in May 2013, starring George Clooney, Matt Damon and Jean Dujardin.

Every year on Shrove Tuesday, the ladies of Olney, Buckinghamshire, compete in the world famous Pancake Race, a tradition which dates back to 1445.

In the 19th century the town of Chesham in Buckinghamshire, used to be known for its 4 B's - boots, beer, brushes, and Baptists. Woodenware was a notable industry in the past too.

High Wycombe, the largest town in Buckinghamshire, is the only town in the world that weighs its Mayors. It does this to see if they've gained any weight at the taxpayers expense! The weighing of the mayor ceremony has been carried out since 1678, and the town has been using the same weighing apparatus since the 19th century. At the end of the weighing, the town crier shouts either 'And no more!' if the mayor has not gained, or 'And some more!!' if he has put on some, though the actual weight is never announced to the watching public.