The Insider
Who moved their cheese wheel in the UK?
AN INTERNATIONAL field of daredevils have taken part in the annual cheese-rolling competition in Gloucestershire, UK. But this year’s unofficial event saw organisers replace the 8lb (about 4kg) piece of Double Gloucester with a lightweight foam version — for safety reasons. The world-famous competition, in which thrill seekers chase the cheese down a steep hill, was cancelled once, in 2010, over safety fears.
Last week, the 86-year-old woman who provides the showpiece cheese for the event was warned by police that she could be held liable for any injuries. Gloucestershire police confirmed that Diana Smart, and others involved with the event, had been given “advice”. There was a large police presence at entrances to Cooper’s Hill, at Brockworth, near Gloucester, but the event went ahead as planned.
About 2,000 spectators watched about a dozen athletes pursue the “cheese” 200m down the 1:2 gradient slope of grass, brambles and nettles. Competitors slip, somersault and tumble their way to the bottom in spectacular fashion during the race — and the first person to grab the cheese wins.
The first race was won by American Kenny Rackers, who donned a stars and stripes morph suit to sprint down the hill. Rackers had travelled to the UK to compete in the race having seen previous events on TV. “I came over especially for this and I did what I had to do to win,” he said afterwards. “It feels great. I trained a long time for this and got hurt on the hill practising. I came three days early and I took a bad spill but I came to win and that’s what I did.”
The Insider’s disbelief at the histrionics of the UK’s health and safety department continues. Lactose-tolerant and consenting adults chasing the cheese of their choice down a hill sounds like the least of the country’s worries amid deadly attacks by religious zealots on its streets. What’s next? Banning Morris dancing lest the light-footed dancers accidentally garrote themselves by getting entangled with the brightly coloured ribbons?
If it has to be done...
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s partner, Tim Mathieson, is known Down Under as the First Bloke. His South African equivalent, when we eventually get one, will probably be called the First Oke or, if by some stroke of political luck, President Jacob Zuma’s third wife, currently the Third Lady, becomes president in the next 10 years, the current president will become the First Baba. Our first ladies generally keep a low public profile and don’t make fools of themselves like Australia’s First Bloke. Speaking in January at a reception for the West Indies cricket team, the First Bloke urged guests to have a prostate examination, adding that “a small Asian female doctor is probably the best way”. While guests thought this hilarious, Gillard looked on with a sheepish/queasy expression.
Wise words
“THERE is a reason the world always looks to America.” Julia Gillard, Australian prime minister (born 1961).