Participants risk life and limb in cheese rolling contest in U.K.
The first-ever written evidence of the cheese rolling competition is from 1826, but it could be more than 2,000 years old.
www.cbsnews.comHere’s the latest on cheese rolling.
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Gloucestershire cheese rolling saw ongoing safety concerns in 2025, with the local council marking the event as unsafe due to the extreme nature of the downhill race. Ambulance services were deployed to assist injured participants, and the event continued to attract international competitors.[1]
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Coverage from major outlets in 2024–2025 confirms the event remains a high-risk, high-profile tradition on Cooper’s Hill near Brockworth, often drawing spectators and participants from around the world despite safety warnings.[3][6]
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Recent video and news summaries from 2025 depict multiple participants sustaining injuries and requiring medical attention, underscoring the event’s reputation for danger and the ongoing debates over whether it should continue in its current form.[4][5]
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Historical context indicates the tradition dates back several centuries; formal documentation of the modern competition appears from the 19th century, with the core format—racing a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep hill—persisting into recent years.[6][3]
If you’d like, I can pull a concise timeline of the most recent notable incidents and safety statements, or summarize this year’s official statements from Gloucestershire authorities. I can also compile a short FAQ for visitors covering safety precautions and alternatives to watching the event.
Citations:
- Gloucestershire cheese rolling safety concerns and ambulance response.[1]
- BBC live guide and historical context for the Gloucestershire tradition (2024–2025).[3][6]
- Incident reports and media coverage about injuries at the event.[5][4]