The history of Gloucester's cheese rolling tradition
Museum of Gloucester sheds light on the origins and evolution of this unique event
The Museum of Gloucester is casting new light on the enigmatic origins of the county's internationally renowned cheese rolling tradition.
It’s as the centuries old tradition is set ot take place tomorrow (25th May).
While the precise origins of cheese rolling remain shrouded in mystery, it is believed to date as far back as Roman, Saxon, or medieval times.
The event has achieved significant acclaim in Gloucestershire, noted for its Double Gloucester cheese, and continues to attract international visitors who brave the challenge of chasing cheese down a hill.
Amy Washington, Programme and Exhibitions Officer at the Museum of Gloucester, tells us over time, the event has adapted to historical circumstances.
During wartime rationing in the 1930s and 1940s, organisers opted for wooden replicas instead of real cheese in order to conserve resources.
The Museum of Gloucester preserves several of these unique items in their collection, including one with ribbons and a legend suggests it contains a small amount of cheese to maintain tradition.
Remarkably, the tradition has persisted nearly every year despite global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is no official organiser for the event, yet passion for cheese rolling remains unabated, with different individuals stepping up to ensure its continuity.