Let’s Roll Some Cheese…

Many of you may have heard about cheese rolling, but don’t know much about it, so here’s a little more information for you.

How Did It Begin?

The tradition of cheese rolling is believed to be over 600 years old. There are two thoughts behind how it evolved. Either it was a  requirement for maintaining grazing rights on the common or some believe it has pagan origins and the custom of rolling items down the hill represent the birth of the New Year.

Where Does It Take Place?

The cheese rolling competition takes place every Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucestershire.

What Happens?

In short, participants race down the 200-yard long hill chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese.

From the top of the hill, a 3–4kg round block of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down the hill. Competitors then start racing down the hill after it. The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese. Although the competitors try to catch the cheese; it has a head start and can reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour.

Multiple races are held during the day, with separate events for men and women.

In the 2013 competition, for safety reasons, a foam replica replaced the cheese.

Who Can Take Part?

Although it started as a local event, anyone can enter. It has now gained global popularity and winners have come from Canada, Belgium, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Casualties

Due to the nature of the race there are often injuries. Locals volunteer to be ‘catchers’ for people who get taken away by the momentum. There are also ambulances on site, just in case.

In fact, Canadian competitor Delaney Irving won the ladies race in 2023, despite finishing unconscious. She only learned of her victory in the medical enclosure when she came around.

Winner Delaney Irving, after regaining consciousness

Many attempts have been made to cancel the event due to health & safety reasons but it continued nevertheless.

2024 Date

Next year’s cheese rolling competition takes place on Monday 27th May.