cheese-wire.com

Momentum is gathering behind a campaign to get Britain’s annual cheese-rolling contest back on the calendar after the event was cancelled due to safety concerns.

Organisers announced last week that the cheese-rolling contest, held every May in Gloucestershire was being scrapped because it was becoming too popular to ensure safety.

A Facebook group dedicated to reinstating the event has now gathered more than 5,000 signatures and there are plans to gather signatures for a petition to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

According to local media an emergency meeting is being called to attempt to revive the event, while local council officials are also exploring possibilities.

The event, held every year on the steep grassy slopes of Cooper’s Hill, sees dozens of contestants race after seven pound wheel of double gloucester cheese. The winner of a series of races gets to keep it.

Injuries are commonplace. Last year 58 people — 35 competitors, four catchers at the bottom of the hill and 19 spectators — were hurt, 11 of whom were taken to hospital.