Cheese rolling brings bank holiday mayhem
Cooper's Hill was the scene of Bank Holiday mayhem yesterday as thousands gathered for the annual cheese rolling.
Madcap contestants risked life and limb by throwing themselves down the 100ft drop near Brockworth in an attempt to catch the 8lb Double Gloucester cheese wheel.
The event, one of Gloucestershire's longest-standing traditions, saw a wacky variety of costumes on show with daring runners turning out in skimpy swim-wear, underpants and super hero costumes.
Chris Anderson, from Brockworth, claimed victory on the slopes for the fifth year running, leading the field in two of the afternoon's cheese runs.
The 21-year-old said: "I've won this for the last four years but this will be my fifth and final year. I've got a baby boy on the way so I won't be competing again next time round."
John Caba, 35, came all the way from Frankfurt in Germany to take part in the event.
He said: "It was sheer madness. I can't remember a thing after the first three steps, then I found myself at the bottom.I love the British for having such a crazy tradition."
Michelle Kokiri, from New Zealand, won the women's event, pipping her nearest competitor in a last ditch burst for the line.
The 25-year-old said: "I'm chuffed to have won in my first ever attempt, and it'll be cheese on toast in my house for the next month.
Meanwhile Mike Sharman, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, won the prize for the most daring costume of the day, performing the race in a Borat-style "mankini".
The bone-crunching races saw 58 casualties and 11 people were taken to hospital in ambulances.
Thirty five were competitors, four were catchers at the bottom of the hill and 19 spectators.
Their injuries included two spinal and a dislocated shoulder.
One member of the crowd fell out of a tree while trying to gain a better vantage point caused the final two runs of the day to be delayed.
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by Judy Evans, Tamworth, Australia
Friday, May 29 2009, 5:55AM
“We learned about the cheese rolling from my girlfriend who lives in Cirencester.
While my husband & I are not QUITE crazy enough to actually want to participate, we think it's an amazing event, and can't believe the whingers who rant on and on.
If you can't cope with the parking and the crowds, either stay hiding under the bed, or go away somewhere else for the weekend!
Congratulations to the wonderful people who run the event, and long may it last! Here in Oz, we have a thing called Occupational Health and Safety, which is a fancy name for the Fun Nazis - who are so afraid of litigation, they put the dampeners on all sorts of great things. Let people take responsibility for their own stupidity, and let them have their fun! We do feel sorry for those who got injured though - they must KNOW it's highly likely, but all hope "It won't happen to me".
And to all you lot who are whinging, stop it!
Well done to everybody who works so hard to make the Cheese Rolling happen every year!
All the best from Australia!”
by Louise, Australian
Thursday, May 28 2009, 12:26PM
“I love the British for this mental tradition!! I did and came away with every muslce in my body bruised and pulled and a nicely blackened face. Anyone who enjoyed this should look into the bog snorkeling later in the year!”
by dj hutch, tewksbury
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 11:34PM
“i cant beileve people have moaned?????
this is cheese rolling not cruising...
go back to the cruise page and carry on your moan there and leave these cheese rolling people alone.”
by coopers hill resident, coopers hill
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 8:57PM
“This event is organised by about 12 damn hard working local people. They get nothing out of the event. The police and the local authorities want nothing to do with it and will not raise a finger to help. Everybody wants to take from the Cheese Roll but few willingly give. To all those complaining about traffic and bad organisation, where are your solutions? No celebrities are ever invited, they turn up. You cannot stop the press and media turning up. It is they who have made this event what it is today. The local organisers fight to keep the event going against the odds. You cannot charge people to enter common land and you cannot stop people coming. 7000 turn up to have a good time, 12 volunters organise it all. Think about solutions, before the ill informed winging destroys it for ever.”
by Digger, Bottom of the Hill
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 5:20PM
“I am a Brockie and could not care less who parks across my drive so they can get to the Rolling. I know the cars park everywhere they can on Rolling Day but this is only for one day of the year! And all this nonsense about a locals only race. This tradition may have started here but it is now truly international. The Greeks don't take part in a Grecian Only Sprint in every Olympics! Brockies should be proud to host this unique event and not moan so much about nothing.”
by Jamal, Endz
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 2:38PM
“Dont you just love the Gloucester accent, So attractive! haha”
by Non Runner (again)!!, Brockworth
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 12:24PM
“Comments made by other readers are valid but please understand the annoyance of us 'locals'.
With the event being ¿hosted¿ by Brockworth, you would have thought that there would be A race that ONLY locals/Gloucestershire people can take part in.
There were dozens of people wanting to run but were not able due to the number of people this event has attracted. Why can¿t ¿US¿ locals have guaranteed acceptance (for at least one race).
Half the people that run, slide down on their back sides and take up the valuable spaces that a local would love to have and keep the cheese where it belongs....in Gloucester. Not flown back to some foreign country.
The village gets over run by a large proportion of spectators, who have no consideration for the local area.
There were more car parking facilities available this year in nearby fields but people still refuse to pay the small amount and decide to park illegally. Cars decided to park in Bus stops, central reservations on the local roads and even blocked several residents¿ drives.
Those who have a moan at this comment, let me ask you how YOU would feel if YOU were blocked in YOUR drive and unable to leave YOUR house. The Police were not interested in moving these cars on and only small amounts were given tickets.
You would have thought that the cheese roll committee would have sorted this out over the last few years. After all they are the ones that have made this into media frenzy by inviting b list celebs to take part.”
by Hattie, Gloucester
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 9:54AM
“Peter - sweetie - I wasn't proving your point! I think you'll find that I was trying to explain to you and your brain cell that local people know the cheese rolling is on and if they don't then they don't really take much notice of the world around them!”
by Al, Gloster
Tuesday, May 26 2009, 7:46PM
“I absolutely love it. Its the last event in Britain which hasnt been ruined by financial motives. As soon as there are gates and turnstiles and security guards it will be all over. However, it is clear that a park and ride system would save a lot of trouble and make someone a load of money!”
by Alisha, aged 9, Cheltenham
Tuesday, May 26 2009, 7:29PM
“it was very hard walking up the hill and we had a rubbish view and it was very muddy i'm never going again.”