Playing the wedding waiting game
AS the sun crept over the Cotswolds on Monday, while most of us were still asleep, a Gloucestershire tradition was kept alive.
Normally the second bank holiday in May means one thing around here – cheese rolling. But the event, which sees thousands crowd onto the steep slopes of Cooper’s Hill near Brockworth, was cancelled due to coronavirus, with police urging fans to keep away for their own safety.
The tradition dates back centuries. Some say it was all about claiming grazing rights on the common and land around Cooper’s Hill, while others reckon it could have been a fertility ritual. Nowadays cheese rolling is officially an extreme sport, with competitors heading to Gloucester from across the globe.
It involves chasing a 9lb Double Gloucester cheese down the near-vertical slopes of the hill. First runner to the bottom wins and the cheese is the prize. The aim is to catch the cheese, but given it travels at speeds of up to 70mph it is near impossible.
But with no runners and no crowds, this year’s roll was purely a symbolic affair, with the Master of Cheese, Jem Wakeman, rolling the cheese (from Smart’s of Birdwood) down an empty hill shortly after sunrise at 5.30am.
He said: “We are just rolling the cheese for tradition. When it was cancelled I was devastated, so sad.”
He added: “We will see everyone again next year hopefully.”
With no crowds or barriers to stop the cheese, the Double Gloucester bounced down the famous slope in seconds, coming to rest against the fence of the house at the bottom of the hill.
As the sun crept over the county ready for the day ahead Jem headed home. Normally the cheese goes to the winners of the races, but this year it went back with Jem.
Last week Gloucestershire police confirmed extra patrols would take place around Cooper’s Hill, and those attempting to access the hill risked being turned back.
A spokesman for Gloucestershire police said: “We are aware that the annual cheese-rolling event, which was due to take place at Cooper’s Hill on Monday (May 25) has been cancelled because of Covid-19.
“The event usually attracts up to 8,000 participants and spectators, and we know how disappointed regular attendees will be that it is not taking place this year.
“However, we would urge them to respect the legislation and government guidance, which prevents large groups of people meeting in one place, and find other ways of enjoying the bank holiday.”
We are just rolling the cheese for tradition. When it was cancelled I was devastated, so sad. We will see everyone again next year hopefully.
Master of Cheese Jem Wakeman