Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake
| Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake | |
|---|---|
 A view down Cooper's Hill, from the start point of the race to the finish. | |
| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Cooper's Hill |
| Coordinates | 51°49′48″N 2°09′29″W / 51.82991°N 2.15812°W |
| Country | England, United Kingdom |
| Years active | First recorded in 1826[1] |
| Most recent | 26 May 2025 |
The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event held on the Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper's Hill, at Brockworth near Gloucester, England.[2] Participants race down the 200-yard (180 m) long hill chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. It is uncertain when the tradition first began, and is possibly much older than its earliest known written attestation in 1826.[1] The event has a long tradition, held by the people of the village, but now people from a wide range of countries take part in the competition as well. The Guardian in 2013 called it a "world-famous event," with winners coming from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States.[3][4]
The event is called Cheese-Rolling and Wake because it includes the cheese rolling race itself, and the festive gathering that follows. The word "wake" can mean an annual festival and holiday, originally one held in a rural parish on the feast day of the patron saint of the church. Brockworth has St George's Church, and the feast day of St George is 23 April.
Format
[edit]
From the top of the hill, a 7–9-pound (3–4-kilogram) round of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down the hill, which is 200 yards (180 m) long, and with a slope of around 50 percent (26.6 degrees).[5][6] Competitors then start racing down the hill after the cheese.[7] The competitors aim to catch the cheese; however, it has around a one-second head start and can reach high speeds, enough to knock over and injure a spectator. The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese, even though the cheese is never actually caught.[8] Multiple races are held during the day, with separate events for men and women. Participants in the downhill races must be over the age of 18.[9]
Then there are separate uphill races. Considerably less hazardous, these races are open to minors. In the past (e.g. 2014), the uphill race categories have been "boys 14 and under" and "girls 14 and under". In the most recent races in 2025, the children's uphill categories were "under 11" and "11 and over." The adult's uphill race was mixed.[9]
The number of races held during the event has varied over the years, but there are usually four downhill races (three men's, one women's) and a number of uphill races (adults and children).
In the 2013 competition, a foam replica replaced the cheese for safety reasons, but a real cheese was restored the following year.[10]
History
[edit]
The event originally took place each Whit Monday, but was later moved to the Spring Bank Holiday. The first written evidence of cheese rolling is found in a message written to the Gloucester town crier in 1826;[1] even then it was apparent that the event was an old tradition, and it is believed to be at least six hundred years old.[11][12]
Two possible origins have been proposed for the ceremony. First, it may have evolved from a requirement for maintaining grazing rights on the common.[11][13] Second, there may be pagan origins for the custom of rolling objects down the hill. It is thought that bundles of burning brushwood were rolled down the hill to represent the birth of the New Year after winter. Connected with this belief is the traditional scattering of buns, biscuits and sweets at the top of the hill by the Master of Ceremonies.[14] This is said to be a fertility rite to encourage the fruits of harvest.[13]
In 1982, a team of students from the University of Bristol filmed the 31 May event using film cameras, with one camera overcranked to produce slow motion.[15][16]
In 1993, sixteen people were injured, four of them seriously, during the event.[13] In 2009, safety concerns were raised after 15,000 spectators arrived, when there was only space for around 5,000. These concerns led to the organisers cancelling the 2010 event.[17] Despite the cancellation, around 100 people attended and held an unofficial event.[18]
In 2011, a new 2-day ticketed event was proposed in order to address the safety concerns raised in previous years and to allow the event to continue operating.[19] The proposals were received negatively due to the cost of tickets, and the proposed event was cancelled following the organisers receiving abuse.[20] Despite the cancellation, the event continued unofficially with around 200 people attending.[21] The event has continued without official management or planning alongside the Council Safety Advisory Group.
In 2020 and 2021, the event was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[22] It returned on Sunday 5 June 2022, ending a two-year absence.[23][24][a]
Cheese
[edit].jpg)
The cheese currently used in the event is 7–9-pound (3–4-kilogram) Double Gloucester, a hard cheese traditionally made in a circular shape.[26] Each is protected for the rolling by a wooden casing round the side, and it is decorated with ribbons at the start of the race. Formerly, three cheeses were presented by parishioners, and the cheeses were usually rolled by them. A collection is usually made now to purchase them, as well as sweets, and also to provide prize money.[13]
Since 1988, the cheese has been supplied by local cheesemaker Diana Smart and her son Rod from their Churcham farm.[7][27][28] In May 2013, a police inspector warned the 86-year-old Smart that she could be held responsible for injuries.[7] Chief Superintendent Nigel Avron of Gloucestershire Constabulary also made these comments: "If you are an organiser in some way or some capacity you could potentially be held liable for something that took place at that event".[7] Diana Smart died in 2021.[29] In 2013, organisers of the event felt compelled to use a lightweight foam version for safety reasons.[30] In the second race of 2013, Australian Caleb Stalder managed to catch the fake cheese and claim victory despite being some way behind the leaders.[31] In 2014, the organisers returned to using real cheeses.[30]
Injuries
[edit]Due to the steepness and uneven surface of Cooper's Hill, there are usually several injuries each year.[32] St John Ambulance have previously provided first aid cover at the event; however, this stopped in 2012 when the event was no longer being officially managed.[33] The lack of official medical provision on site has led to concerns from the local resilience forum about the safety of the event.[34]
Canadian competitor Delaney Irving won the ladies' race in 2023, despite finishing unconscious, and only learning of her victory in the medical enclosure.[35] Six competitors were taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment following the event.[32]
Results
[edit]| Year | Race 1
(men's downhill) |
Race 2
(men's downhill) |
Race 3
(women's downhill) |
Race 4
(men's downhill) |
Race 5
(men's downhill) |
Race 6 (11 and under uphill) |
Race 7 (12 to 16 uphill) |
Race 8 (adults' mixed uphill) |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Roy Mitchell (1) | Roy Mitchell (2) | Jean Simpson | M.J. Russell | [36] | |||||
| 1949 | Roy Mitchell (3) | J. Binder | Betty Hunt | Bernard Morgan (1) | [36] | |||||
| 1950 | T. Brewster | H. Ireland | M.E. Light | Ken Davis | Bernard Morgan (2) | [36] | ||||
| 1951 | Tom Holliday (1) | M.C. Pinchin | Jean MacDonald | J. Bailey | [36] | |||||
| 1952 | Tom Holliday (2) | Hugh Atkinson (1) | Hilary Cooke | no race | [36] | |||||
| 1953 | Tom Holliday (3) | Ronald Ray | Rosemary Cooke (1) | no race | [36] | |||||
| 1954 | Michael Price (1) | Eric Avent | Elke Ellaway | Hugh Atkinson (2) | [36] | |||||
| 1955 | Michael Price (2) | Hugh Atkinson (3) | Rosemary Cooke (2) | Roy Holliday | [36] | |||||
| 1956 | Michael Price (3) | Hugh Atkinson (4) | Rosemary Cooke (3) | Glyn Jenkins | Rosemary Cooke sets women's record of 3 wins[36] | |||||
| 1957 | Izzy John (1) | Izzy John (2) | June Wheeler | Hugh Atkinson (5) | Frank Faulkner | [36] | ||||
| 1958 | Izzy John (3) | Izzy John (4) | unknown | Clive Walker | Izzy John (5) | [36] | ||||
| 1959 | Izzy John (6)* | Izzy John (7)* | Mary Bancroft | unknown | * unconfirmed[36] | |||||
| 1960 | Izzy John (8) | Stanley Wilson-Copp | Sheenan McBride | Raymond Beard | [36] | |||||
| 1961 | Izzy John (9) | Izzy John (10) | no race | Paul Quarry (1) | Paul Quarry (2) | [36] | ||||
| 1962 | Paul Quarry (3) | Paul Quarry (4) | no race | Roger Windo (1) | Izzy John (11) | [36] | ||||
| 1963 | Roger Windo (2) | Roger Windo (3) | Pat Harding | Clive Whittaker (1) | [36] | |||||
| 1964 | Clive Whittaker (2) | Roger Windo (4) | Julie Tiffany | Izzy John (12) | Izzy John sets the record with unconfirmed 12 wins[36] | |||||
| 1965 | Raymond Giles (1) | Michael Davis | Janet Ballinger | Clive Whittaker (3) | [36] | |||||
| 1966 | Raymond Giles (2) | Raymond Giles (3) | Janet Beesley | Michael Giles | [36] | |||||
| 1967 | R.A. Copley | Eric Huckins | Diane Bowers (1) | George Duckett | [36] | |||||
| 1968 | Hugh Oxenham | Eric Huckins | Barbara Bayne | Michael Giles | [36] | |||||
| 1969 | Richard Giles (1) | Richard Giles (2) | Diane Bowers (2) | Joe Johnson | [36] | |||||
| 1970 | Richard Giles (3) | Richard Giles (4) | Lynda Burnell (1) | Peter Davis | [36] Gloucestershire Echo wrongly reported her name as Lynda Burnett | |||||
| 1971 | Steve Lott (1) | Peter Davis | Lynda Burnell (2) | Gordon Graham | [36] | |||||
| 1972 | Steve Lott (2) | Christopher Woodhouse | Deborah Harwood (1) | John Hendzell | Steve Lott (3) | [36] | ||||
| 1973 | Christopher Woodhouse | Alan Thorpe | Deborah Harwood (2) | Patrick Hendzell (1) | [36] | |||||
| 1974 | Stephen Giles | Patrick Hendzell (2) | Susan Keavy | Christopher Woodhouse | [36] | |||||
| 1975 | Paul Chandler | Patrick Hendzell (3) | Joanna Evans (1) | Paul Brammer | [36] | |||||
| 1976 | George Duckett | Stephen Gyde (1) | Joanna Evans (2) | Paul Williams | [36] | |||||
| 1977 | Tony Hendzell | David Lawlor | Megan Morris | Rory Martin | [36] | |||||
| 1978 | Tony Hendzell | John Lowe | Janice McGrory | Stephen Gyde (2) | [36] | |||||
| 1979 | Stephen Gyde (3) | Stephen Gyde (4) | Candice Phillips | Tony Hendzell | [36] | |||||
| 1980 | Stephen Gyde (5) | Stephen Gyde (6) | Mandy Day | Stephen Gyde (7) | [36] | |||||
| 1981 | Kevin Gyde (1) | Kevin Gyde (2) | Amanda Turner (1) | Andy Fuller | [36] | |||||
| 1982 | Stephen Gyde (8) | Stephen Gyde (9) | Amanda Turner (2) | Kevin Gyde (3) | [36] | |||||
| 1983 | Colin Hill | Stephen Gyde (10) | Amanda Turner (3) | 'Digger' Gardener | Amanda Turner ties the women's record of 3 wins[36] | |||||
| 1984 | Stephen Gyde (11) | Steven Brain (1) | Claudia Dart | Ian Campbell | [36] | |||||
| 1985 | Stephen Gyde (12) | Stephen Gyde (13) | Leticia Burns (1) | Costas Logothetis | [36][37] | |||||
| 1986 | Steven Brain (2) | Steven Brain (3) | Leticia Burns (2) | Stephen Gyde (14) | [36][37] | |||||
| 1987 | Steven Brain (4) | Stephen Gyde (15) | Rebecca Haines (1) | Steven Brain (5) | [37] | |||||
| 1988 | Stephen Gyde (16) | Stephen Gyde (17) | Rebecca Haines (2) | Steven Brain (6) | [37] | |||||
| 1989 | Paul Andres | Lawrence Farlow | Kathleen Underwood | Julian Pritchard | [36] | |||||
| 1990 | Steven Brain (7) | Stephen Gyde (18) | Jacqueline McGinn | Steven Brain (8) | [37] | |||||
| 1991 | Stephen Gyde (19) | Stephen Gyde (20) | Christie Sweeney | Stephen Gyde (21) | Stephen Gyde retires with an all-time record of 21 wins[36][37] | |||||
| 1992 | Terry Sawczuk | Stuart Heggs | Rob Preece (1) | Star Royles | [36] | |||||
| 1993 | Rob Preece (2) | Rob Preece (3) | Jamie Barnes | Andrew Deveson (1) | [36] | |||||
| 1994 | Rob Preece (4) | Andrew Deveson (2) | Star Royles | Craig Carter (1) | [36] | |||||
| 1995 | Stephen Brain (9) | Jonathan Smith | Claire Carter | Darren Yates | [37][38] | |||||
| 1996 | Steven Brain (10) | Harry Hancy | Marie Andow | John Shelton | [36] | |||||
| 1997 | Steven Brain (11) | Steven Brain (12) | Tina Rimmer | Craig Carter (2) | [39][40] | |||||
| 1998 | Peter Astman | Amelia Hardwick | Two races cancelled for safety due to 33 injuries the previous year[41] | |||||||
| 1999 | Steven Brain (13) | Steven Brain (14) | Helen Thorpe | Steven Brain (15) | [42] | |||||
| 2000 | Steven Brain (16) | Steven Brain (17) | Kirby Shepherd | Craig Brown (1) | [43] | |||||
| 2001 | Event cancelled due to the 2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak. Cheese still rolled to maintain tradition[44] | |||||||||
| 2002 | Simon Fowler | Craig Brown (2) | Saskia Thomas | Jack Williams | Event took place on Tuesday due to Queen's Jubilee celebrations[36][45] | |||||
| 2003 | Event cancelled due to volunteer safety team being diverted to assist in the aftermath of the 2003 Boumerdès earthquake. Cheese still rolled to maintain tradition.[46] | |||||||||
| 2004 | Padam Shreer 
|
Marc Ellis 
|
Dionne Carter (1)
|
Aaron Walden (1) 
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Padam Shreer becomes the first winner from Asia. Marc Ellis and Dionne Carter become the first winners from Oceania[47][48] | ||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| 2005 | Jason Crowther (1)
|
Chris Anderson (1)
|
Dionne Carter (2)
|
Aaron Walden (2)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | .[2][49] Adam Dunsford wins "uphill open race". | ||
| Chris Calver-Jones | Adam Dunsford | |||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Hannah Jones | ||||||||||
| 2006 | Jason Crowther (2)
|
Craig Fairley (1)
|
Dionne Carter (3)
|
Chris Anderson (2)
|
Andrew Brewin [b]
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Dionne Carter ties the women's record of 3 wins.[50] | |
| Josh Prike | Julian Gray
| |||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Kelley Beckett | Ruth Bradbrook | |||||||||
| 2007 | Jason Crowther (3)
|
Aaron Walden (3)
|
Jemima Bullock
|
Alan Morris
|
Chris Anderson (3)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | [51][52] | |
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| 2008 | Chris Anderson (4)
|
Peter Mackenzie-Shaw
|
Flo Early (1)
|
Craig Fairley (2)
|
Wade Sansom
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | [53] | |
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| 2009 | Chris Anderson (5)
|
Scott Bevan
|
Michelle Kokiri-Gisbon
|
Chris Anderson (6)
|
Josh Geitz 
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | [54] | |
| Jason Baugh | Toby Payton
| |||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Maddie Morris | Jessica Ledger
| |||||||||
| 2010 | Chris Anderson (7)
|
Craig Fairley (3)
|
Tanya Silverman
|
Chris Anderson (8)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | [55] | ||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| 2011 | Chris Anderson (9)
|
Chris Anderson (10)
|
Jo Guest
|
Chris Anderson (11)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | [56] | ||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| 2012 | Chris Anderson (12)
|
Chris Anderson (13)
|
Lucy Townsend (1)
|
Craig Fairley (4)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | [57] | ||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| 2013 | Kenny Rackers 
|
Keleb Stalder
|
Lucy Townsend (2)
|
Ryan Fairley (1)
|
Tomoaki Tanaka 
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Kenny Rackers becomes the first winner from North America.[31][58][3] | |
| Kenny Rackers [59]
| ||||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| 2014 | Joshua Shepherd (1)
|
Ryan Fairley (2)
|
Lucy Townsend (3)
|
Sheldon Ronald
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Lucy Townsend ties the women's record of 3 wins.[60][61] Sam Parrant wins "mixed, open uphill" race. Kaspar Wickens-shaw wins "boys 14 and under" uphill race. Mollie D’Arcy Rice wins "girls 14 and under" race. | ||
| Kaspar Wickens-shaw (1) [62]
|
Sam Parrant[63] | |||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Mollie D’Arcy Rice | ||||||||||
| 2015 | Chris Anderson (14)
|
Ryan Fairley (3)
|
Keavy Morgan (1)
|
Chris Anderson (15)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | .[62] Kaspar Wickens-shaw wins "boys 14 and under" uphill race. Kacie Anderson wins "girls 14 and under" uphill race. | ||
| Kaspar Wickens-shaw (2)
|
||||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Kacie Anderson (1) [64]
|
||||||||||
| 2016 | Chris Anderson (16)
|
Chris Anderson (17)
|
Flo Early (2)
|
Ryan Fairley (4) [65]
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | [66][67] | ||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| 2017 | Chris Anderson (18)
|
Chris Anderson (19)
|
Keavy Morgan (2)
|
Chris Anderson (20)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | [68] | ||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Kacie Anderson (2)[69] | ||||||||||
| 2018 | Chris Anderson (21)
|
Christopher Parperis
|
Flo Early (3)
|
Chris Anderson (22)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Chris Anderson sets all-time record of 22 wins[70]
Flo Early ties the women's record of 3 wins | ||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Leilani Ryder (1)[71] | Amy Hill | |||||||||
| 2019 | Max McDougall [72]
|
Ryan Fairley (5)
|
Flo Early (4)
|
Mark Kit 
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Flo Early sets a new women's record of 4 wins[73] | ||
| Jacob Perkins[74] | ||||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Leilani Ryder (2)[75] | Millie Elliot[76] | |||||||||
| 2020 | Event cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England. Cheese still rolled to maintain tradition.[24] | |||||||||
| 2021 | Event cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England. Cheese still rolled to maintain tradition.[77] | |||||||||
| 2022 | Chris Anderson (23)
|
Jamie Evans
|
Abby Lampe (1)[78]
|
Robbe Gabriels  / Amr El Shourbagy  (joint winners)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Chris Anderson retires with an all-time record of 23 wins[4] Robbe Gabriels becomes the first winner from Continental Europe. Amr El Shourbagy becomes the first winner from Africa. | ||
| Alfie Townsend (1)[79] | ||||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Leilani Ryder (3) | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Matt Crolla
|
Cooper Cummings
|
Delaney Irving
|
Ryoya Minami
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Cooper Cummings sets record for fastest race time at 13 seconds[25][35][80] | ||
| Riley Parker | Rocco Cove[81] | Elliot | ||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Evie | Leilani Ryder (4) | Megan | ||||||||
| 2024 | Tom Kopke (1) 
|
Dylan Twiss
|
Abby Lampe (2)
|
Joshua Shepherd (2)
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | |||
| Louie Baker (1)[82] | Liam Daunter | |||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Orion Ryder | Leilani Ryder (5)[83] | |||||||||
| 2025 | Tom Kopke (2)
|
Luke Preece
|
Ava Sender Logan
|
Byron Smith
|
Boys' | Boys' | Men's | Luke Preece (also reported as Luke Briggs) is the son of four-time winner Rob Preece.[84][85][86] | ||
| Louie Baker (2) | Alfie Townsend (2) | Tom | ||||||||
| Girls' | Girls' | Women's | ||||||||
| Sadie[87] | Leilani Ryder (6) | Ariel Dempsey [88]
| ||||||||
Note: All competitors before 2004 were British so a nationality flag is omitted.
Multiple winners
[edit]Note: Listed alphabetically by surname
| Men’s Champion | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Anderson | 23 | 2005–2022 |
| Stephen Gyde[37][89] | 21 | 1976–1991 |
| Steven Brain[37][90][91] | 17 | 1984–2000 |
| Islwyn "Izzy" John[92] | 12 | 1957–1964 |
| Hugh Atkinson[1][36] | 5 | 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 |
| Ryan Fairley | 5 | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 |
| Craig Fairley | 4 | 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 |
| Richard Giles[36] | 4 | 1969, 1969, 1970, 1970 |
| Paul Quarry[36] | 4 | 1961, 1961, 1962, 1962 |
| Roger Windo[36] | 4 | 1962, 1962, 1963, 1964 |
| Jason Crowther | 3 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Raymond Giles[36] | 3 | 1965, 1966, 1966 |
| Kevin Gyde[36] | 3 | 1981, 1981, 1982 |
| Patrick Hendzell[36] | 3 | 1973, 1974, 1975 |
| Tony Hendzell[36] | 3 | 1977, 1978, 1979 |
| Tom Holliday[36] | 3 | 1951, 1952, 1953 |
| Steve Lott[36] | 3 | 1971, 1972, 1972 |
| Roy Mitchell[36] | 3 | 1948, 1948, 1949 |
| Michael Price[36] | 3 | 1954, 1955, 1956 |
| Aaron Walden | 3 | 2004, 2005, 2007 |
| Clive Whittaker[36] | 3 | 1963, 1964, 1965 |
| Craig Brown[37] | 2 | 2000, 2002 |
| Craig Carter[36] | 2 | 1994, 1997 |
| Peter Davis[36] | 2 | 1970, 1971 |
| Andrew Deveson[36] | 2 | 1993, 1994 |
| Eric Huckins[36] | 2 | 1967, 1968 |
| Tom Kopke[85] | 2 | 2024, 2025 |
| Bernard Morgan[36] | 2 | 1949, 1950 |
| Star Royles[36] | 2 | 1992, 1994 |
| Joshua Shepherd[82] | 2 | 2014, 2024 |
| Women’s Champion | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Flo Early | 4 | 2008, 2016, 2018, 2019 |
| Dionne Carter | 3 | 2004, 2005, 2006 |
| Rosemary Cooke[36] | 3 | 1953, 1955, 1956 |
| Lucy Townsend | 3 | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| Amanda Turner[36] | 3 | 1981, 1982, 1983 |
| Diane Bowers[36] | 2 | 1967, 1969 |
| Lynda Burnell[36] | 2 | 1970, 1971 |
| Leticia Burns[36] | 2 | 1985, 1986 |
| Joanna Evans[36] | 2 | 1975, 1976 |
| Rebecca Haines[37] | 2 | 1987, 1988 |
| Deborah Harwood[36] | 2 | 1972, 1973 |
| Abby Lampe[82] | 2 | 2022, 2024 |
| Keavy Morgan | 2 | 2015, 2017 |
| Children's Uphill Champion | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Leilani Ryder | 6 | 2018–2019, 2022–2025 |
| Kacie Anderson | 2 | 2015, 2017 |
| Louie Baker | 2 | 2024–2025 |
| Alfie Townsend | 2 | 2022, 2025 |
| Kaspar Wickens-shaw | 2 | 2014–2015 |
Similar event
[edit]An annual cheese-rolling event took place in Chester from about 2002, to promote the town's food and drink festival. The rolling took place on the flat down an obstacle course.[93] It is not currently being held any more.
Cheese-rolling in popular culture
[edit]- 1948: Cheese Rolling on Cooper's Hill, a painting by Charles March Gere, is part of the Museum of Gloucester collection, and depicts the event.[1]
.jpg)
- Early 1970s: The New Inn pub was renamed 'The Cheese Rollers Bar & Restaurant' in the early 1970s.[94] Located in the neighbouring village of Shurdington, it is named after the event, and has a collection of previous cheese casings along with photos and articles about the event.[94]
- 2005: A children's computer game from Neopets named "Cheeseroller", involves different varieties of outlandish cheeses, rolled down a 120-metre hill in under 60 seconds, negotiating obstacles on route. Points are awarded for grade of cheese difficulty and speed of descent.[95]
- 2006: The comedian Bridget Christie performed a show about cheese-rolling at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; this was inspired by having seen the Cooper's Hill event as a child.[96]
- 2008: Cheese rolling was featured in the first episode of the UK television channel Five series: Rory & Paddy's Great British Adventure, broadcast on 13 August 2008, and was described as "the grandaddy of weird sports" by the titular Rory McGrath and Paddy McGuinness.[53]
- 2018: The contest was the subject of the BBC One programme The Great Cheese Chase.[97] The contest was part of the German reality show Joko gegen Klaas - Das Duell um die Welt, where German former footballer Thorsten Legat was supposed to participate, but at the end refused to do so.[98]
- 2019: Let's Roll is a short film directed by Chris Thomas[99] about a teenage girl Antonia (Amy Bowden) attempting to emulate her brother's successes in the cheese rolling. The film was screened at BAFTA-qualifying film festivals: Norwich and Edinburgh.[100][101]
- 2019: Royal Mail issue a collectable stamps edition of UK Weird and Wonderful Customs which includes Bog snorkelling at Llanwrtyd Wells, World Gurning Championship at Egremont, Up Helly Aa in Lerwick, Burning the Clocks in Brighton, 'Obby 'Oss festival in Padstow, Samhain Celtic festival (Halloween) at Derry, Horn Dance at Abbots Bromley and Cheese-Rolling at Cooper's Hill.[102][103]
- 2020: Netflix released a documentary We are the Champions, which covers six bizarre events and competitions from across the world, starting with Cheese-Rolling at Cooper's Hill. The Cheese-Rolling follows Flo Early in her preparations for 2019 and her attempt to win the ladies' race for the fourth time.[104]
- 2021: The game Animal Crossing: New Horizons has a special item called Double Gloucester cheese that is only available from 22 May to 31 May, the period when this event takes place.[105]
- 2023: The Longest Johns and El Pony Pisador released a joint album "The Longest Pony" which included "Wheels of Glory" as the opening track.[106] This led to the band's, on their February 2025 Longest Pony tour, bringing along a wheel of Double Gloucester.[107]
See also
[edit]
Notes
[edit]- ^ The spring bank holiday was moved to 2 June, due to the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II.[25]
- ^ Fifth race added for more competitors.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Cheese Rolling in Gloucester". visitgloucester.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Cheese Rolling". BBC Gloucestershire. 30 May 2005. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- ^ a b "American flies in to win Gloucestershire cheese rolling contest". The Guardian. 27 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013.
- ^ a b O'Mahony, Marsha (5 June 2022). Trim, Liam (ed.). "Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling 2022". Gloucestershire Live.
- ^ "Cheese Rolling on Cooper's Hill, Gloucester". Great British Life. 4 February 2010.
- ^ "'King of the Hill' Sets Lifetime Record in British Cheese-Rolling Competition". Travel. 12 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Cheese-maker warned against supplying Gloucester cheese-rolling". BBC News Online. 24 May 2013.
- ^ https://www.soglos.com/event/outdoors/gloucestershire-cheese-rolling/17943/
- ^ a b "Your 2025 guide to Gloucestershire cheese rolling". BBC.co.uk. 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Gloucestershire cheese-rolling champ 'doesn't really like cheese'". BBC News. 26 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Cheese Rolling: A brief history". BBC News. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ Spicer, Dorothy Gladys (1954). Yearbook of English Festivals. New York: H.W. Wilson Company. pp. 238–239.
- ^ a b c d Anon. "Cheese Rolling on Coopers Hill, Exhibition", Gloucester City and Folk Museums, Gloucester, 14 July 2012.
- ^ "Previous years/cheese-rolling.co.uk". 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007.
- ^ Jamie Hartzell, Barbara Wyatt, Frank Passingham, Jonathan Fisher, Mike Dorrell, Michael Hicks, John Adams, Keesian Pender, Pru McEwen, Deborah Perkin, Nick Ferguson, Steve Lewis, Jo Moss, Roger Wilson (19 May 2020) [Recorded 31 May 1982]. Cheese Rolling Day May 31, 1982. Brockworth: Barbara Wyatt.
- ^ "Cheese Rolling Day May 31, 1982". youtube.com. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ Morris, Steven (12 March 2010). "Gloucestershire's annual cheese rolling cancelled due to health and safety fears". The Guardian.
- ^ "'Unofficial' cheese rolling event". 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Save the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling campaign launched". soglos.com. 13 January 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Gloucestershire's cheese rolling cancelled after abuse". BBC News. 24 March 2011.
- ^ "Coopers Hill cheese-rolling fans hold unofficial race". bbc.co.uk. BBC News online. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
- ^ "Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling 2022 on Coopers Hill in Gloucester". SoGlos. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ "When is the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling taking place in 2022?". gloucestercheeserolling.co.uk. 2022.
- ^ a b "Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling cancelled for 2020 amid Coronavirus fears". SoGlos. 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Guinness World Records - Most wins of a cheese-rolling race". guinnessworldrecords.com. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Double Gloucester". BritishCheese.com. British Cheese Board. 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- ^ "Smarts: Great Cheese Keeps Rolling - The Cheese Shed". thecheeseshed.com.
- ^ "More Cheese Rolling facts and information". Cheese-Rolling.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ "The pub named after a crazy tradition". 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Gloucestershire cheese-rolling champ 'doesn't really like cheese'". BBC News. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Gloucestershire cheese-rolling takes place despite warning". BBC News. 27 May 2013.
- ^ a b Morgan, William (1 June 2023). "Cheese Rolling organisers asked to give detailed plan after six hospitalised". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Unofficial Gloucestershire cheese-rolling attracts hundreds". BBC News. 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Gloucestershire cheese rolling event strains emergency services". BBC News. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ a b Nadeem Badshah (29 May 2023). "Woman wins UK cheese rolling race despite being knocked unconscious". theguardian.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt Jefferies, Jean, ed. (2007). Cheese Rolling in Gloucestershire. Stroud, Gloucestershire: Tempus Publishing limited. pp. 133–159.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Cheese Rolling, Roll of Hounor/cheese-rolling.co.uk". 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007.
- ^ "Race results 1995 events". newspapers.com. 1995.
- ^ "Race results 1997 events/Cheese-Rolling.co.uk". 1997. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008.
- ^ "Cheese rolling festival takes dangerous turn". CNN. 1997. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
- ^ "Race results 1998 events/cheese-rolling.co.uk". 1998. Archived from the original on 22 June 2007.
- ^ "Race results 1999 events/cheese-rolling.co.uk". 1999. Archived from the original on 22 June 2007.
- ^ "Race results 2000 events/cheese-rolling.co.uk". 2000. Archived from the original on 22 June 2007.
- ^ "Race results 2001 events/cheese-rolling.co.uk". 2001. Archived from the original on 22 June 2007.
- ^ "Fallen cheese-roller (Craig Brown) calls it a day". bbc.co.uk. 2002.
- ^ "Earthquake halts cheese rolling races 2003". bbc.co.uk. 2003.
- ^ "Falling down hills: Ellis takes the big cheese". The New Zealand Herald. The New Zealand Herald. 2 June 2004. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
- ^ "Chasing the Big Cheese 2004". bbc.co.uk. 2004.
- ^ "Chasing the cheese in 2005". bbc.co.uk. 2005.
- ^ "Cheese Rollercoaster -The world famous Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling returned with a bang for 2006". bbc.co.uk. 2006.
- ^ Quoted in "Return to edam". smh.com.au. The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Cheese Rolling 2007". bbc.co.uk. 2007.
- ^ a b "Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling 2008 review". soglos.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016.
- ^ "Cheese-chasing champion retires injured after fifth Gloucestershire win". The Telegraph. 25 May 2009.
- ^ "Hundreds defy cheese rolling ban". The Telegraph. 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Coopers Hill cheese-rolling fans hold unofficial race". BBC News. 30 May 2011.
- ^ ""I don't even like cheese": Jubilee cheese rolling race winner swears off the stinky stuff despite dairy daredevil triumph". Mirror.co.uk. 4 June 2012.
- ^ "American Wins Annual Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling Race". BBC America. 2013.
- ^ "Cheese-Rolling at Cooper's Hill 2013". cheese-rolling.co.uk. 2013.
- ^ "Gloucestershire cheese race winner finds himself in a pickle". The Guardian. 26 May 2014.
- ^ Sim, David (27 May 2014). "The Annual Cheese Rolling Race on Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire". International Business Times.
- ^ a b "Thousands watch Gloucestershire cheese rolling races". BBC News. 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Cheese-Rolling at Cooper's Hill 2014". cheese-rolling.co.uk. 2014.
- ^ "Cheese-Rolling at Cooper's Hill 2015". cheese-rolling.co.uk. 2015.
- ^ "Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling 2016 - the tumbles". YouTube. 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Cheese-Rolling results and pictures 2016". Gloucestershire Live. 1 June 2016.
- ^ Al-Othman, Hannah (30 May 2016). "Champion chaser who hates cheese wins for the 17th time". Evening standard.
- ^ "Gloucester cheese-rolling veteran breaks all-time record". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 28 May 2018.
- ^ "Chris Anderson makes cheese rolling history in Gloucester". Gloucestershire Live. 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Gloucestershire cheese race winner is the all-time grate". The Guardian. 28 May 2018.
- ^ "Cheese Rolling down Cooper's Hill, Brockworth near Gloucester The 11 years old and under uphill race - winner Leilani Ryder aged 10 from Kingsway". Gloucestershire Live. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Gibbon, Tom; Richards, Madelaine (27 May 2019). "Cheese rolling 2019 as it happened from Cooper's Hill". GloucestershireLive.
- ^ Gibbon, Tom; Richards, Madelaine (27 May 2019). "Cheese rolling 2019 Live! Latest action from Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire". Gloucestershire Live.
- ^ "Cheese Rolling down Cooper's Hill, Brockworth near Gloucester Jacob Perkins". Alamy.com. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Cheese Rolling down Cooper's Hill, Brockworth near Gloucester The 11 years old and under uphill race - winner Leilani Ryder aged 10 from Kingsway". Alamy.com. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Cheese rolling 2019 as it happened: Canadian first-timer wins on Cooper's Hill, legend Flo announces retirement, ninth cheese for Ryan". Gloucestershire Live. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Port, Samuel (20 April 2021). "Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake cancelled for 2021". Gloucestershire Live.
- ^ "ISE Alumna Abby Lampe Crowned World Champion at the 2022 Gloucester Cheese Race". NC State ISE on youTube. 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Cheese Rolling 2022: Brockworth boys win big along with international racers - as it happened". Gloucestershire Live. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Morgan, William (30 May 2023). Norris, Phil (ed.). "Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling 2023 recap updates, results, pictures and video". Gloucestershire Live.
- ^ "Rocco Cove holds his cheese after winning a uphill race during the Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth". Alamy.com. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "As it happened: Annual cheese rolling races take place". BBC News. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Gloucestershire's Cheese Rolling Competition Is Like None Other". Dogo News. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Woman, 20, says 'I don't like cheese' after winning Double Gloucester rolling race".
- ^ a b "Woman, 20, says 'I don't like cheese' after winning Double Gloucester rolling race 2025". BBC News. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ Nally, Carys; Bullock, Clara (26 May 2025). "YouTuber 'risks his life' for cheese-rolling win 2025". BBC News. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Woman, 20, says 'I don't like cheese' after winning Double Gloucester rolling race". BBC News. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Cheese-rolling champion finally awarded missing prize". BBC News. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ Richards, Madelaine (26 May 2019). "Former Cheese Rolling champion is set to race in this year's cheese-roll one more time aged 58". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ Lane, Ellis (26 June 2018). "'Hard as nails' champion cheeseroller and Matson rugby stalwart dies at 49". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "The obituary notice of Stephen Paul Brain". funeral-notices.co.uk. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "The obituary notice of Islwyn John". funeral-notices.co.uk. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Cheese rolling in Chester". bbc.co.uk. BBC Liverpool. 15 March 2006.
- ^ a b "New Inn / Cheese Rollers Inn, Main Road, Shurdington GL51 5XJ". gloucestershirepubs.co.uk. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Cheeseroller". Neopets. 2005.
- ^ Christie, Bridget (28 June 2021). "Bridget Christie: Ritual Britain made me proud to be British". the Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "The Great Cheese Chase - BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ ""Das Duell um die Welt - Team Joko gegen Team Klaas" - neue Folge am 10. Februar 2024". www.prosieben.de. 4 October 2022.
- ^ Thomas, Chris (8 May 2020). LET'S ROLL: Cheese Rolling Short Film (Comedy). Brockworth.
- ^ "Let's Roll". Norwich Film Festival. 2019.
- ^ "Let's Roll". Edinburgh International Film Festival. 2019.
- ^ "Stamps: Cheese rolling, gurning and bog snorkelling on new UK stamps". Newsround. BBC. 9 July 2019.
- ^ "Cheese Rolling at Cooper's Hill will feature on these great new stamps". gloucestershirelive.co.uk. 10 July 2019.
- ^ "Netflix Series - We Are the Champions". netflix.com. 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Yes, Animal Crossing: New Horizons Is Celebrating Cheese Rolling Today — Get A New Item". animalcrossingworld.com. 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ The Longest Johns (21 March 2023). Wheels of Glory | The Longest Pony. Retrieved 30 May 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
External links
[edit]