One Response

1. Bizarre
   Cheese rolling is one of those bizarre ‘customs’ supposedly dating back hundreds of years which now draws competitors from all over the world. Several people are injured each year on Coopers Hill (which is local to me), some quite badly, and spectators have also been known to be hurt by runaway cheeses (which I’m sure really isn’t very funny for them). Apparently every contestant fills in a health & safety assessment – which must be quite straightforward then! This is from the cheese rolling website:

   “Some people win, some merely finish and many get injured, even the spectators, mostly sprains and minor injuries, but also broken bones.
   For those taking part in this potentially dangerous race, but to the competitors it seems to be a risk worth taking, as many come back year after year, some from great distances to win the highly prized cheese.
   Each and every individual on the hill, must make their own, personal risk assessment and consider the dangers. CHCRC Ltd. strives to provide whatever safeguards they can, but running down a 1 in 2, in places, 1 in 1 hill, could never be considered a safe pastime!”

   I think the Toe Wrestling Championships sound safer….