From Bone-Breakers To Babybels: Cotswold Cheese Rolling Season Ends With A 90-Year-Old Winner
The summer may start with Gloucestershire’s notorious bone-breaking Cheese Rolling on Cooper’s Hill – but at least one Cotswold cheese rolling tradition now ends rather more safely, with a 90-year-old care home resident taking the title.
Margaret Scott, 90, has been crowned the winner of the second Cheese Rolling Competition at Aura Care Living’s Stratton Court Retirement Village and Care Home in Cirencester, seeing off considerably younger competition including staff, friends and family members of residents.
Rather than hurling themselves down the side of Cooper’s Hill after a nine-pound Double Gloucester, competitors at Stratton Court chased something considerably smaller: the house hold name and mini cheese – Babybel. These red waxed wheels, were then rolled down a purpose-built, astro-turf-covered slope complete with ridges and strategically placed obstacle trees.
The event, which took place on Saturday 12 September, was opened by Cirencester Mayor, Andy Jopp, and brought together residents from both the care home and retirement village, alongside their families, friends and Stratton Court staff.
The afternoon also featured cider from former Italy and Gloucester rugby player Jake Polledri, his own brand: Just Pressed. Traditional Old Spot sausages and plenty of Cotswold-style community and sporting spirit.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, organisers are now considering making the Stratton Court Cheese Rolling Competition an annual fixture, creating a new, family-friendly twist on one of Gloucestershire’s most famous traditions.
Stratton Court manager Jared Mein said: “We may not have the steep slopes, the flying limbs and the questionable decision-making of Cooper’s Hill, but we certainly have the competitive spirit. Last year showed us that our residents, families and team absolutely loved it, and this year has proved that it wasn’t just a one-off.
“To see Margaret, at 90, beat some of our much younger competitors was fantastic. It really does show that you should never underestimate a Stratton Court resident when there is a Babybel at stake.
“The idea is to celebrate a great Gloucestershire tradition but make it something everyone can enjoy, from residents, families, staff and the wider community. After the success of this year, I think we may have just created a new annual tradition of our own.”
The original Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, held near Brockworth, is famous around the world for competitors chasing a cheese down an extremely steep hillside, with injuries an established part of its folklore.
For Aura Care Living, the event is also part of Stratton Court’s wider approach to bringing residents, relatives, staff and the local community together through activities that are fun, inclusive and rooted in the local area.
