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[Gloucestershire’s] Cheese Rolling Abandoned
Med India ^ | March 13, 2010 | Staff Writer

Posted on 03/14/2010 4:01:06 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

A 200-year old traditional festival of rolling the cheese down a steep hill has been canceled following rising fears over the safety of the participants.

The age-old festival saw participants chase down large blocks of Double Gloucester cheeses down the steep side of Cooper's Hill with injuries being a common side effect of the event.

However the rising popularity of the event means that a large number of people gather to watch the chase with last year’s event boasting of a 15,000 strong spectators. The regional police contacted the organizing committee and advised them to cancel this year’s event after expressing concern over the safety of both the participants and the spectators.

“We have had to cancel on the advice of the police and local authorities this year because of the issues of health and safety and other aspects. As well as concerns about the safety of the crowd and the competitors, local landowners were also worried by the amount of damage done by people climbing over fences and that sort of thing”, said Richard Jefferfies of the organising committee.


TOPICS: Food; History; Sports
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Just think of the job creation opportunities here, if we can only get some stimulus money to sponsor Gubment Cheeze Rolling all over the Country...


21 posted on 03/14/2010 5:25:25 PM PDT by Bean Counter (I keeps mah feathers numbered, for just such an emergency...)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

We used to have fun.

But it was decided it was too dangerous.

You see?


22 posted on 03/14/2010 5:28:30 PM PDT by Chuckster (Domari nolo!)
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To: Chuckster

I will miss all the “traditional” and “cultural” things that seem to go with countries traditions. We won’t have any of the old ways pretty soon. Although, I do object to the running of the bulls. Apparently that is not too hazardous. I would rather chase a ball of cheese than have a bull chasing me.


23 posted on 03/14/2010 5:34:10 PM PDT by JBCiejka
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To: mylife

It’s a shame they are stopping a 200-year-okd tradition that sounds gouda to me.


24 posted on 03/14/2010 5:41:46 PM PDT by Bigg Red (Palin/Hunter 2012 -- Bolton their Secretary of State)
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To: nina0113

What about those guys at the bottom of the hill who were stopping the human rollers?!!! That was hilarious!


25 posted on 03/14/2010 5:44:33 PM PDT by Calm_Cool_and_Elected
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

So, a few people got creamed...


26 posted on 03/14/2010 5:45:06 PM PDT by marsh2
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To: mlocher

“What’s a few injured or dead peasants when compared to the entertainment value for m’Lord?”

Exactly! That’s what I thought, LOL!


27 posted on 03/14/2010 6:10:39 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
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To: Farmer Dean

And running with the bulls! Heck, even that drunkard Hemmingway did it and survived.

I guess the key to these ‘sports’ is to be really, really drunk, LOL!


28 posted on 03/14/2010 6:12:07 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Looks like the Amazing Race got there just in time, then.


29 posted on 03/14/2010 10:42:06 PM PDT by TheRealDBear
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

For a close-up look at the tradition, by coincidence I note Food Network is rerunning their “Glutton for Punishment” episode on this exact topic in about 24 hours - check your local listings and DVR it for posterity!


30 posted on 03/15/2010 1:20:18 AM PDT by GnuHere
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To: proudofthesouth

Do-gooders gone wild.


31 posted on 03/15/2010 12:53:34 PM PDT by rdl6989 (January 20, 2013- The end of an error.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
I watched the youtube footage and it reminded me of the way kids used to throw themselves down the hill at Whitnall Park in the Boerner Botanical Garden area. We werent chasing anything, I think Wisconsin kids knew better than to abuse an innocent cheese.

(From the pictures on the park website, I dont think they want to promote such behavior anymore. Todays kids are so fragile doncha know...)

32 posted on 03/16/2010 8:41:12 AM PDT by gnarledmaw (Obama: Evincing a Design since 2009)
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To: gnarledmaw

Hi! Haven’t ‘seen’ you in a while. :)

As a kid it was VERY important to not throw yourself down the hill @ Boerner that ended in the Rose Garden, LOL! :)


33 posted on 03/16/2010 5:25:06 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
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To: gnarledmaw
I watched the youtube footage and it reminded me of the way kids used to throw themselves down the hill at Whitnall Park in the Boerner Botanical Garden area. We werent chasing anything, I think Wisconsin kids knew better than to abuse an innocent cheese.

Ah the memories that brings back.

I live in Indiana now but a few years back I took my daughter to Boerner so she too could roll down the hill. Some traditions must be maintained.

(She had a blast of course)

34 posted on 03/17/2010 10:59:29 AM PDT by John O (God Save America (Please))
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