The other day, I asked my students to talk about ‘festivals’ in Japanese. One of my questions was ‘what’s the strangest festival in your country?’ Quite a few students answered the ‘cheese rolling’ festival.

I knew it existed, but didn’t know where and when it was held. I looked up and the Wikipedia page told me that it was held on the last Monday in May at Cooper’s Hill.

The place name sounded familiar. I live in the Cotswolds and the venue is close from my home!! And the last Monday in May was a week away.

I decided to go there on 27th May 2024, which was the last Bank Holiday in May 2024.

And the experience was awesome!!! It’s the wackiest, maddest and most bizarre thing to do! Men and women run down a 45 degree hill for cheese!!!!!

At the venue, occasionally the spectators chanted ‘cheese, cheese, cheese!’ And the crowds were all cheerful and jolly.

I upload my video. Unfortunately due to the position of me, standing far away from the goal, you can’t see who’s won it, but you might be able to feel the atmosphere there on that day!!