Cheese and glory
A hard cheese rolls down a steep hill in rural England. Dozens of people chase after it. Whoever catches the cheese (or gets to the bottom first) wins – and is crowned champion until next year. With official records dating back to 1826, cheese-rolling takes place every springtime. But some believe contestants have braved the almost-vertical slopes for 600 years as a celebration of summer's onset.
Forget Glastonbury, Notting Hill Carnival and Wimbledon. Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling is vintage Britain. Although I've never been, my friend – originally from Greece – described Monday's race as the epitome of England: funny, stupid and a bit brutal. What's in it for the winner? A hefty wheel of cheese.