History of Cheese Rolling
It’s thought that the event stretches back to around two hundred years but many claim that the tradition may be a pagan healing ritual meaning that it could be thousands of years old but there is little data to prove this.
Coopers
Hill is an exceptionally steep hill from which once a year the tradition takes
place. A large piece of cheese (Double Gloucester) is rolled down the hill
just before the competitors are let loose. The aim is to be the first to grab
the cheese as it rolls down the hill but this seldom happens as the cheese
can get up to over 100 km an hour! (Yes- the hill is that steep, sure you
want to take part still?)
The occasion has been growing in popularity and media coverage over the past 10 or so years and now attracts many more participants and spectators each year. About 3 miles away from the event, in the town of Shurdington, there is a pub named "The Cheese Rollers" where tactics and strategy planning can be discussed before each race.
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