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At Coopers Hill, near Brockworth, Gloucestershire, we find the annual 'Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake'. This starts at midday on Spring Bank Holiday Monday. There are 5 races throughout the afternoon where people run/tumble down a very steep hill chasing after a huge cheese. The first one to the bottom is the winner. There is supposed to be a maximum of 20 in any race. In addition to this there are races up the hill. One of the five races is a ladies race. There is also a mad scramble by children for sweets that are thrown out at one point.
The hill is very steep, particularly at the top where its 1 in 2, rough, uneven and impossible to stay upright when attempting to run down. Many competitors end up doing all forms of cartwheels and acrobatics, but few have major injuries. There is both a mountain rescue type of organisation present to recover casualties from the hill and a first aid organisation to patch up those who need help, as well as looking after those in the crowd who need assistance. Many who take part come back in future years. At the bottom of the hill are a line of people who act as catchers to stop those who are running. This event is very popular, over the last few years there have been TV crews there from many countries including Japan, and Canada. Some people travel from the far corners of the world to see, and take part in, this event. Due to the number of people, the steepness of the hill and limited space, its advisable to arrive well ahead of the event in order to get a good spot. The cheeses which are rolled down the hill are 7lb, Double Gloucester cheeses made locally. However, during the rationing period of 1941-1954 a wooden substitute was used, this had a small niche that contained a token piece of cheese. The cheese takes about 11 seconds to bounce and
fly to the bottom, and is really moving at times, so fast that many people don't
spot them as they pass, plus of course they are watching those who are tumbling
after it. Catching both the cheese and tumbling in a photograph is a real
challenge, and one that I took on a few years back. Find out how I got on and
how I went about this challenge by
clicking
here.
Races down hill take place about every 20 minutes, and a loudspeaker system keeps you informed of what is happening, between these races there is casualty recovery and some up hill races. Its very difficult to even walk up and down this hill. With the large number of spectators, the pressure of people causes the hillside to slide, standing can also be a challenge. Many will sit down, and you may want to take something along to sit on. It's an event that is well worth attending once.
Many people do go back many times. More photographs can be found by
clicking
here.
.
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