Hundreds turned up for unofficial cheese rolling, near Brockworth
Hundreds of people ignored official warnings to stay away from Cooper's Hill to watch dozens take part in cheese rolling contests today.
Five races took place on the steep slope at lunchtime with about 300 spectators making their way to the field near Brockworth.
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On a roll: Champion cheese roller Chris Anderson
Police cordoned off side roads around the hill in a bid to deter spectators and participants.
Six times cheese rolling champion Chris Anderson came away victorious once again today winning the first and last race. There was also a children's and women's race.
Chris said he visited the site last night to clear the hill of branches and stones.
Visitors have come from as far as Holland and Sheffield to see if any unofficial event was taking place today.
But yesterday cheese rolling fans were warned there would be no dedicated medical help for casualties from unofficial contests.
Officials also said any unofficial cheese-rolling event could jeopardise the future of the centuries-old tradition.
The 22-year-old has won six cheeses in the past five years and said he plans to take part today.
Speaking yesterday, former champion and Brockworth resident Chris said: "I'm going up there and I will be taking part.
"It's just tradition, and for me it's hard to stay away. I still totally support the organisers in their bid to bring it back next year."
The official event was cancelled this year after serious health and safety fears were raised.
But organisers have pledged to make every effort to bring it back next year.
Police confirmed that as Cooper's Hill is public land, they will not move in to arrest people who attend.
But they have still made a staunch warning to potential participants.
A spokeswoman said: "Gloucestershire Constabulary and the local authorities are aware of reports that certain individuals are considering taking part in unofficial cheese rolling events on Bank Holiday Monday.
"All partners, including the Cheese Rolling Committee, would strongly advise against participation in any unofficial event taking place on the hill. Unlike in previous years, there are no dedicated on-site medical facilities or rescue organisations to assist with casualty recovery.
"The event this year has been and remains cancelled and we understand the Cheese Rolling Committee and their partners are now committed to working hard to ensure that next year's event can take place in a safe and organised manner.
"Any unofficial event taking place could undermine any future cheese rolling events."
Meanwhile official organisers and supporters have remained adamant they won't be involved in the rogue event.
Diana Smart, who makes the Double Gloucester cheese used for the popular event every year at her farm in Churcham, said: "People have been in and bought cheeses, but of course I don't know what they bought them for.
"I had my suspicions about one chap who came in. I know he's won cheeses in the past and was very disappointed when the event was cancelled, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was going to use it for an unofficial cheese roll.
"I'm really disappointed that they had to cancel this year's event, but I can see their reasons for doing it."
But if cheese fans are experiencing withdrawals and don't want to attend the rogue event, they can always pop along to their local pub.
Ben McCullough, duty manager at The Fountain Inn in Westgate Street, Gloucester, said cheese was still on the menu at his premises.
He said: "We have a mixed ploughman's on the menu, and we also do a brie, grape and walnut sandwich."
28 Comments
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by WML, Stroud
Wednesday, June 02 2010, 10:12PM
“So, they tried to cancel it supposedly on health and saety grounds, yet when it went ahead anyway, they then refused to provide medical facilities...!? Sounds very odd to me.
I'm glad they enjoyed themselves and that no one got hurt.”
by SW, Gloucester
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 6:13PM
“The Ugly Truth,
What a nasty thing to say?! Unfortunately we do live in a society that is money grabbing and all for compensation but that is not to say there shouldn't be any fun in any thing. A few of you on here are quite ignorant and opinionated, if you look at the cheese rolling committee website you will see that they have backed Chris Anderson and his unofficial cheese roll. I say well done on organising it and putting some fun back in to the bank holiday. It is tradition! Will you lot cheer up and stop being so negative!”
by The Ugly Truth, Cheltenham
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 4:23PM
“Unfortunately none of these chav yokels was killed or even seriously injured. It might have thinned out the gene pool a bit for the rest of us. Better luck next year, or we can hope that some of them might wrap their blinged Citroen Saxos around a tree in the near future.”
by Old spot, Glos
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 11:09AM
“Hum, lets see. How many people injure themselves playing officially or unofficially organised sport or leisure activities each day? Better put an end to it all.”
by Kay Powell, Robinswood
Tuesday, June 01 2010, 12:12AM
“FJ, Glos,
I agree with you that people should be responsible for their own actions. Unfortunately, the law nowadays disagrees with the both of us. Increasingly, people who do stupid things and get injured seek to blame it on "the authorities". Since the council were not in control of this event and did not give permission for it to take place, if an idiot had got injured you can be almost certain that he would have sought to get compensation from someone; there must have been some sort of organsation, and the organisers would have been held personally responsible. You must have seen all of those adverts on TV that urge anyone who has been injured to contact them for free representation in court. As there was a children's race, goodness knows what would have happened if a child had been injured.”
by Roy, Churchdown
Monday, May 31 2010, 11:53PM
“F j, Glos. . .
Sorry but I do not agree with you, as a health and safety officer, I think your find what they did was Illegal, Health and safety issues can carry as much weight and a Law laid down by the court.
Its not so much of what they did, but more how they did it,
If anybody had of been seriously injured, then YES they could of sued the council; simply because this happened on a public place, which IS owned by the council, so there for the council should have secured and policed the area properly.
So if someone had of been injured badly and knowing what do gooders are around to fight on a no win no fee basis, which would have happened, as well you know. Then I dont see why I as a tax payer would have had to foot this kind of legal bill, remembering that any compensation would have had to come from the council funds, hence putting things like our council tax.
so in my eyes yes they should be fined!”
by FJ, Glos
Monday, May 31 2010, 11:34PM
“I seriously think some people on here need to live and let live. People just want to have fun. We still live in a free(ish) society, and there is no law against running down a hill after a cheese. What they did was perfectly legal, and to be honest I'm glad it is. Unlike some people, I for one don't want to live in a dictatorship. If they injure themselves, they have only themselves to blame.”
by Roy, Churchdown
Monday, May 31 2010, 11:11PM
“I agree totally with Martin of Cheltenham.
This event was cancelled for a reason, yet this bunch of Morons feel they have the right to do just as they please!
No wonder the society of today is like it is, with people like this setting an example,who do they think they are? I to hope they are caught and at least fined.”
by Martin, Cheltenham
Monday, May 31 2010, 10:47PM
“Quasi? Cheltenham.
Maybe the charge sheet could read something like. . .
Yobs and chavs, , charged with breeching a public health and safty order. . .
Or how about Idiots charged with criminal damage on a place of natural beauty, which is there for us all to enjoy!”
by Quasi, Cheltenham
Monday, May 31 2010, 10:29PM
“"With most mug shots on camera, i do hope the police catch up with them and charge them where possible."
Martin, Cheltenham.
And what exactly do you propose the police charge them with Martin, running down a hill in a public area? What would the charge sheet read, reckless enjoyment? Or maybe being in possesion of a Double Gloucester Cheese in a public place.”