The format is simple. Double Gloucester Cheese is rolled from the top of the hill and competitors chase after it. Considering the cheese is given a head start and can reach speeds up to 70 mph, it is unlikely anyone will actually catch it. Rather the first person to cross the designated finish line at the bottom of the hill will be awarded the elusive cheese wheel.
As harmless as this may sound, many injuries have occurred at the event. Broken bones and concussions are attributed to the steepness of the hill. It is necessary to have several ambulances at the event and it isn’t unusual for them to make repeat trips to and from the hospital.
Sure, this may sound like loads of fun, but the event has somewhat diminished over the past two years. The large crowds prompted safety concerns which eventually forced cancellation of formal organization, although hundreds of people still gathered and held impromptu races.
What's happened to the Cheese Rolling event?
Unfortunately, the Cheese Rolling committee who organise the event and do all the unpaid work (and the limited company that keeps the float between years) have both disbanded.
The event got too big, the processes and management got beyond us and for every offer of help there were two demands for extra stuff to be done. The event may be back in future years, but we don't see how at the moment.
Apologies to all those who loved the event and wanted it to continue - we really did our best.
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I surely hope this doesn’t spell the end for Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill. It truly looks like fun is had by all.
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