From Fertility Rites to Extreme Sport: The Evolution of Cheese Rolling

Apr 2, 2023

Cheese Rolling is a traditional event that takes place every year on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday in the village of Brockworth near Gloucester in England. The event involves a round of Double Gloucester cheese being rolled down the steep Cooper’s Hill, and competitors running after it.

The origins of the cheese rolling are unclear, but it is believed to date back to ancient pagan fertility rites or to a celebration of the end of winter and the start of spring. The first written record of the event dates back to the early 1800s, and it has been held annually ever since.

To participate in the cheese rolling, competitors gather at the top of Cooper’s Hill and wait for the round of Double Gloucester cheese to be rolled down the hill. The cheese can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, and the competitors run or tumble down the hill after it, trying to catch it. The first person to cross the finish line at the bottom of the hill with the cheese in their possession is declared the winner.

The event has gained international attention and has become increasingly popular over the years, with thousands of spectators coming to watch the spectacle. However, due to safety concerns, the official cheese rolling event was cancelled in 2010, and unofficial versions of the event have been held in recent years. Despite the risks, the event continues to attract both competitors and spectators from all over the world.

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