Cheese rolling

Origen:

The famous "Coopers Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake" is an ancient event which takes place annually on the Spring Bank holiday in lovely Gloucestershire (UK).

Cheese rolling's origins are hazy to say the least. A common presumption is that the masochistic frolic began as a pagan festival hundreds of years ago - a celebration of the onset of summer. Other theories have it relating to age-old fertility rights, the hope of a successful harvest and even as a safeguard of the Commoner's rights for the people of Cooper's Hill.

Wherever it's origins it's hard to argue that　cheese rolling　is a sport for the outrageously courageous or at least the dangerously demented. Contestants in the Cooper's Hill event (between Gloucester, Stroud and Cheltenham in the Cotswolds) on the last Monday in May, stand precipitously at the top of a 300 yard hill that maintains a gradient of two in one for the most part whilst a Master of Ceremonies counts them down.

The event:

The Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling Committee called off the event

Last year's event was cancelled after concerns about safety because of the number of spectators it attracts.

Organisers of the event at Cooper's Hill near Brock worth said 15,000 people attended 2009’s event - more than three times the site's capacity.

It is hoped the event will go ahead on the late May Bank Holiday in 2011, which will be held on a very steep hillside above Brock worth in Gloucestershire, England.

The winner of each race wins the cheese, and

The most recently champion is Chris Anderson.

Champions:　

Stephen Gyde. Brock worth, Gloucester
 has won 20 Cheeses in 14 years 
(1978 to 1991).


Stephen Brain has won 18 cheeses 
in 17 years (1984 to 2000).                                                                           

Ladies champions:

Rosemary Cooke won 3 Cheeses in the ladies races (1953 to 1956).

Amanda Turner won 3 Cheeses in the ladies races too (1981 to 1983).

Dionne Carter .Auckland, New Zealand won 3 Cheeses in the ladies races (2004 to 2006).

An event’s rules and trophies:

There are 5 downhill cheese races (one is for ladies). - Starting at 12:00 Midday.

There are 4 uphill races (Boys Under 12's, Girls Under 12's, Mens Open & Womens Open)

At the top of the hill, competitors (any number from 2 to a maximum of about 20) sit in a line and wait.

The Master of Ceremonies escorts an invited guest to the start line and helps him / her to sit on the precipitous slope, holding a 7-8lb. 'Double Gloucester' cheese.

There are Prizes for the first 3 places in each race:

Cheese Rolling Races 1. Cheese, 2. £10, 3. £5
Uphill Races (Children's)1. Cheese, 2. £5, 3. £5

Uphill Races (Mens & Womens Open Races)1. Cheese, 2. £10, 3. £5