h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was born at the bottom of Coopers Hill where they do that. The origins of this fantastic sport (and it really is brilliant) are a little vague but as far as we know it has never been cancelled. It started as a fertility rite where local virgins were placed in baskets and rolled down the hill. The man to catch her or at least survive was allowed to have his wicked way with her (if he had any energy left). In a landmark move forward in womans rights in about 1000BC they decided that they should stop rolling their best looking women down the hill. For some reason they then decided that a large slab of cheese would be almost as good (???? - not sure what that says about the women of Brockworth).

From then on the tradition has stuck and apparently the inhabitants of Brockworth have never once missed a year until recently. During rationing throughout the 2 world wars the inhabitants of Brockworth stuck their middle finger up at Hitler and refused to let the war get in the way of their fun and nailed a small piece of cheese to a disk of wood instead.

So thousands of years, two world wars and plain old commonsense didnt get to stop it. However about 3 years ago the local council finally decided that the tradition "was too dangerous" and banned it.

Happily however it now contines in all its insane glory. Apparently the one this year was a bloodbath. Someone sent me some pictures that were on The Sun's website.

Incidentally, breaking all traditions of being a Brockworth Man I have never leapt off the top of the hill after a cheese.

I would highly recommend it to anyone but be prepared to be seriously wounded as a cheese of that weight, travelling that fast, on uneven ground can bounce in a lot of directions and do a lot of damage.

I truly thought this was the most insane tradition in the world until recently when someone told me about a yearly tradition in Exeter where men carry huge burning barrels of tar through the streets on their backs. Does anyone know anything about this?

Dear Sgetti - Burning Tar Barrels info etc...

Coopers Hill is a great place. I ran at this years Cheese Rolling event and it was mad. Stuart Anderson a guy who was running in front of me broke his ankle and required a metal plate and some screws but he seems to be in good spirits and is doing fine. If you would like to leave me a GET WELL message send it to me [email protected] and I'll pass it on to him.

You were wondering about the burning tar barrels... here's some info from www.DoctorDanger.com

Ottery St Marys Carnival: Burning Tar Barrels

It's a carnival in Devon where local folk carry around large wooden barrels on their backs with loads of burning tar inside. It looks like fun but I believe only local people get a chance to carry the flaming barrels (its a honoured local tradition). I also understand that visitors have an opportunity to enjoy the pubs (which are damn lively during the carnival) and fireworks and other carnival happenings. The date is on 5th November I believe. For more info have a look at www.tarbarrels.co.uk

Cheers
Todd O'Neill

Dear Sgetti - Burning Tar Barrels info etc...

Coopers Hill is a great place. I ran at this years Cheese Rolling event and it was mad. Stuart Anderson a guy who was running in front of me broke his ankle and required a metal plate and some screws but he seems to be in good spirits and is doing fine. If you would like to leave me a GET WELL message send it to me [email protected] and I'll pass it on to him.

You were wondering about the burning tar barrels... here's some info from www.DoctorDanger.com

Ottery St Marys Carnival: Burning Tar Barrels

It's a carnival in Devon where local folk carry around large wooden barrels on their backs with loads of burning tar inside. It looks like fun but I believe only local people get a chance to carry the flaming barrels (its a honoured local tradition). I also understand that visitors have an opportunity to enjoy the pubs (which are damn lively during the carnival) and fireworks and other carnival happenings. The date is on 5th November I believe. For more info have a look at www.tarbarrels.co.uk

Cheers
Todd O'Neill

Thanks for that. I lived in Gloucester most of my life- but alas I have defected to London these days. But maybe I will incorporate some of this into my article(with due credit of course).


--- Maintaining the balance

I had a guy reply to me who is an editor of www.doctordanger.com they have some brilliant photos and even a video which is a bit grainy but still good. They also have some interviews with the racers and some great quotes.

I had an argument with someone the other day about the fact that Brockworth is the only place where they do cheese rolling. They claimed that they also do this somewhere else in Stilton Village and you mentioned Randwick in your article. As far as I can tell Stilton's festival doesnt involve cheese, just logs painted to look like cheese (????) but I know nothing about Randwick. Do you have any details about their festival. You'de be surprised how many times it comes up in argument (I think I might need to get out more)

Thanks

Cheers Todd. I had a look at the site I've forwared that video on to loads of people who refuse to believe me when I tell them about cheese rolling. I think I went to school with stuarts sister, not sure though.