3. what is cheese-rolling and wake?
● The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event held on the Spring Bank Holiday
at Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester in England. The event is traditional, and takes its name from
the steep hill on which it occurs.
● From the top of the hill, a 9 pounds (4.1 kilograms) round of Double Gloucester cheese is sent
rolling down the hill, and competitors then start racing down the hill after it. The first person
over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese.
● The cheese currently used in the event is 7–9 pounds (3.2–4.1 kilograms) Double Gloucester, a
hard cheese traditionally made in a circular shape.
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEh3wz-92i4
4. rules
● There are four downhill races – three for men and one for women with a maximum of 14 racers
for each, although more usually tend to race (some years have seen up to 40!)
● The Masters of the Ceremony kick off the event by shouting: ‘One to be ready, two to be
steady, three to prepare (at which point the cheese is released), and four to be off.’
● The competitors then launch themselves down the hill after the cheese, with the first person
past the finish line crowned as the winner.
