Cheese-Rolling at Cooper’s Hill Declared Unsafe Due to Lack of Safety Measures

The iconic cheese rolling competition held annually at Cooper’s Hill near Brockworth, Gloucestershire, has been officially declared “unsafe” because it lacks formal safety arrangements. Celebrated for over 200 years, this thrilling and dangerous tradition attracts thousands of spectators and participants each year and is deeply rooted in Gloucestershire’s cultural heritage.

Despite its popularity, the event operates without an official organiser, meaning there are no formal safety protocols or emergency plans in place to safeguard participants. This absence has raised significant concerns among the Tewkesbury Borough Safety Advisory Group (SAG), particularly about the capacity of emergency services to respond effectively should multiple serious injuries occur.

Set for Bank Holiday Monday, May 25 this year, the event continues to be a highlight in the local calendar. However, Councillor Murray Stewart, Tewkesbury Borough Council’s lead member for environmental services, emphasized the dilemma: “Cooper’s Hill cheese rolling is a unique tradition that we want to preserve. Nonetheless, without an official organiser, no formal safety measures have been outlined to protect the public.”

Due to this lack of planning, the Safety Advisory Group has declared the event unsafe and strongly advises anyone considering attending or participating to carefully weigh the risks involved.

The SAG, which brings together emergency services and other agencies to ensure public welfare at events, has requested detailed safety and logistical plans — covering crowd management, traffic, and parking — but none have been submitted due to the absence of event leadership.

Past events have seen participants sustain injuries requiring urgent medical care, with emergency vehicles facing considerable delays accessing the site. These challenges strain police, ambulance, and fire service resources, undermining their ability to serve the wider community efficiently.

With safety concerns mounting, the call is clear: without proper organisation and safety planning, the dangers associated with the beloved Cooper’s Hill cheese rolling event cannot be adequately managed.