Catch that Cheese!

By: Stephan Munoz

Everyone knows that the two best things in the world are cheese and hills…right? Well, the sentiments are surely shared with the people of Gloucestershire in the UK. According to cheeseprofessor.com, the last Monday of May is spent with their annual Cheese Rolling competitions!

The history of this sport is only partly known. The earliest day recorded, as stated by cheeseprofessor.com, goes to 1837. However, it is recorded by gloucestercheeserolling.co.uk that it could date back to the 15^th century as a way to gain—or keep—farm rights and land. There was even some rule changes in 1958.

According to gloucestercheeserolling.co.uk, there was a small change in the number of competitors allowed to participate in this tradition. Before 1958, 40 competitors were allowed at a time. During this rule change, only 15 were allowed in total. How come? Put simply, there weren’t enough paramedics to keep up with the injuries that would occur in a usual game.

Although the rule itself has changed, the danger of this sport has not. While it doesn’t seem like it would be that dangerous or difficult, the two biggest factors of the competition make it far more treacherous. To even begin, the premise of the game is simply explained by gloucestercheeserolling.co.uk: a line of competitors are placed at the top of Cooper’s Hill, a count down occurs, the wheel of cheese is launched, and at least, the competitors are released to catch the cheese or be the first ones to the bottom of the hill. Pretty simple right? What could ever make this dangerous?

To begin, the choice of Cooper’s Hill is part of the danger. Without taking into account the uneven terrains, rocks, and outcrops along the hill, mentioned in gloucestercheeserolling.co.uk, the hill itself is steep. As explained by cheeseprofessor.com, “It’s 182 meters (or 600 feet) long with a 1:2 gradient, which is to say nearly vertical.”

However, if that wasn’t enough, it’s not just the hill. The actual cheese, described by cheeseprofessor.com, is a 7 pound double Gloucester wheel traveling at a top speed of 70 miles an hour down the hill. The cheese is released a second prior to the competitors, as stated by gloucestercheeserolling.co.uk, so the race begins immediately.

Out of competitive spirits, many people will not race after the cheese to catch it. While it is surely attempted, but it is surprisingly rare. Instead, people will immediately begin heading for the bottom of the hill. Many will even dive off the hill and go barreling to the bottom. Chris Anderson, a 23-time winner of this race, shared to cbc.ca how him, his brothers, and his friends would “…Go up there [Cooper’s Hill] when we were younger and chuck each other down there. So I had a little bit of experience going downhill.” He even continues to state how he had crossed the finish line entirely unconscious.

These factors and the history of injuries has transformed cheese-rolling into the dangerous sport it is today. With around 33 injuries per 100 contestants, there must be some amazing prize, right? Well, funny enough, the winner keeps the cheese. While it can be bought, the people of Gloucestershire love their free cheese and bragging rights.

The origins of this sport are unsurprisingly, not fully known. Cheese rolling, according to cheeseproffessor.com, can be guessed to come from the Pagan tradition of setting fires to large haybales and letting them roll down Cooper’s Hill. While not certain, it doesn’t take away from the amazing feeling shared by the winners and competitors from taking part in this tradition.

While there is an attempt to ban this sport—due to its dangerous nature—it is yet to completely dissolve the sport. Joining is a possibility for anyone! When in the game, there is only determination and a rush when they count down, according to gloucestercheeserolling.co.uk, “One to be ready, two to be steady, three to prepare, and four to be off!”

Ten out of ten for the view, two out of ten for diving.

Photo from: gloucesterrocks.co.uk