On UK Bank Holiday Monday 30 May 2016, thousands of people lined a steep hill in Gloucestershire to watch crowds of thrill-seekers fling themselves down in pursuit of a wheel of cheese. Yes, the 8lb (3.6kg) Double Gloucester is chased 200 yards down the 1:2 gradient Cooper's Hill at Brockworth, which is between Gloucester and Cheltenham, every year.
David Taylor wrote, " thousands of people descended on Brockworth for the annual cheese rolling, where a home grown tradition has become an international spectacle,". People from all over the world, from Canada to Japan, joined Brockworth and Gloucestershire residents to watch – and compete in – four races down Cooper’s Hill. And the event, which is not registered as an official showpiece and organised solely by volunteers from the village, has remained free from commercialisation. In fact since at least the early 1800s a cheese has been chased down the 200 yard hill.
David Taylor wrote, " thousands of people descended on Brockworth for the annual cheese rolling, where a home grown tradition has become an international spectacle,". People from all over the world, from Canada to Japan, joined Brockworth and Gloucestershire residents to watch – and compete in – four races down Cooper’s Hill. And the event, which is not registered as an official showpiece and organised solely by volunteers from the village, has remained free from commercialisation. In fact since at least the early 1800s a cheese has been chased down the 200 yard hill.
The main races are the four downhill cheese chases, three men’s races and a women’s race, but there were also uphill children’s events and plenty of entertainment provided by the crowd themselves, with chanting, cheering and Mexican waves in abundance.
“It’s traditional, it’s English, and you won’t get it anywhere else in the world. Other people try to copy it, and it’s nowhere near as good.”
“It’s traditional, it’s English, and you won’t get it anywhere else in the world. Other people try to copy it, and it’s nowhere near as good.”
Here is a selection of photo's, but do please use the link at the bottom to go and view many others and read these words and more ...
There are so many times that I think us Brits may just be a little mad ...
Now have I told you about the scarecrow festivals? They are such fun too ... but that may just be another story later this year!
and they're off
watched by many
the slips and falls, as they come down the hill
he's taken the lead
the winner
oh dad, you did do well
More pictures, including the women and children's winners, at article here
Flavour levels depend on the age of the cheese. As it matures Double Gloucester becomes very hard and this may be one of the reasons why it is associated with the annual cheese rolling event at Cooper’s Hill in Gloucester. It is said that buyers of Double and Single Gloucester would often jump up and down on the cheese to assess its grade and suitability.
Most Double Gloucester is sold at about 4 months of age and has a firm close texture and a clean mellow, creamy or buttery flavour. Older cheeses will develop more complex and nutty flavours.
The farm made cheeses tend to be kept a little longer adding to their flavour and where the cheese is cloth bound they are significantly harder and drier than their creamery counterparts and generally more expensive... read more here
If you would like to use Double Gloucester cheese in a great tasting recipe, then this one may suit you ... it's a 'cheese and asparagus soufflé' ... you can find it here
All the best Jan
Do hope there were not too many injuries. The souffle recipe looks very good.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
Hello, looks like a fun time. I hope no one was hurt falling. Congrats to the winner and I sure his children were proud of their dad. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day and weekend ahead!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, we do have some strange customs and traditions in the UK, don't we? People from other countries must think us mad.
ReplyDeleteI will have to say I have never heard of anything like that, oh my that picture of them all in different poses of falling down the hill looks painful, I wonder how many break a leg or arm, it is amazing that it isn't advertised but word of mouth has people from all over the world coming to it, I will have to say the internet sure has made it possible to get the word around faster than in the past without it. Very interesting :)
ReplyDeleteonly in the UK is right
ReplyDeleteI never heard of that before
ReplyDeleteI have heard of it, and it sure looks like great and silly fun.
ReplyDeleteI bet it's good fun to go and watch. I love cheese but not sure I'd hurtle down such a steep hill for one!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
This looks like it would be funny to watch, but I don't think I'd want to tumble down the hill and do it myself. Hahaha! Hope you have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeletekinda fun. kinda weird. :)
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to:
ReplyDeleteAnnie
Eileen
Jo
Connie
Tom
Adam
Blogoratti
Lisa
Connie
Tex
It's always lovely to receive, read and share your comments.
There were crowds watching this event and there were some injuries ... but an event like this has been happening since the early 1800's.
I thought the Double Gloucester and Asparagus souffle recipe at the end of the post would certainly be enjoyed ...although for many,after you've competed in this downhill race, they may possibly prefer a stiff drink to help them recover!!!
Do please use the links I gave in the post to read and see more about this event, and also about the recipe suggestion.
All the best Jan
Oh, this looks like fun, Jan. I love traditions and enjoy hearing about them in other countries.
ReplyDeleteHave a restful weekend.
~Sheri
Hello Sheri, thank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is always nice to know a little about another country's tradition, festivals etc.
Wishing you a good weekend too.
All the best Jan