Gloucester gifts cheese to French troops in recognition for Covid service

FRENCH soldiers have been awarded a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese in recognition of their efforts in the English town during the coronavirus pandemic.

The troops stationed at Gloucester were presented with a Double Gloucester at Cooper’s Hill – the site of the area’s famous cheese-rolling competition.

The dairy offering was handed over yesterday on Bastille Day, an annual celebration marking the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789.

The troops are serving with

Nato’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), who have been based in the cathedral city since 2010.

The French army was deployed as a specialist part of the organisation’s efforts to tackle the Covid-19 crisis.

The handmade wheel was produced by Smart’s Farm, who provide the cheeses for the annual rolling event where participants race down the hill.

Kate Haigh, the mayor of Gloucester, said: “Gloucester City is very proud to be the home of Nato’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

“And, on the occasion of Bastille Day, we are delighted to present our French troops with our most famous local product, an entire Double Gloucester cheese.

“I recommend that they eat it and not roll it down a hill as part of their celebrations.

“The French have been based at Imjin Barracks for a decade as part of the ARRC, and we are very happy that they continue to make Gloucester their home.

“We are particularly thankful for the assistance they have given the British people during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Major Emmanuel, of the French army, said: “This year is definitely a special national day for me, because I am in Britain and because of Covid there is no big celebration. “But I’m really glad to be here and to receive the cheese which is a very nice gift from the British.

““You know, France is a 400-cheese country, so I will try it with my French colleagues and compare it with French cheese.”