Out and about

The great Stilton cheese roll 2006

Teams of four vie to roll the cheese from the Bell Inn to a finishing line between the bottom of Fen Street and Church Street. There are four championships at stake - for men, women, wheelchair users and children. And it's not easy - scrambles, tussles and spills are the order of the day.

Every year the Cheese Rolling has a special theme. This year it's "Let's do the Timewalk", to celebrate three hundred years since the London to York coach service began back on Friday 12th April 1706. And a three-hundred-year-old stage coach will be visiting the village for this year's festivities.

Stilton was an important staging post on the four day journey because it was the first place the coaches could change horses. And it's because of this connection with London that a blue cheese market established itself in the village. The cheeses were manufactured in the Melton Mowbray area, but became known as Stilton because that's where the London buyers went to purchase them.

So when did the fine tradition of cheese rolling start? Well it was the idea of an enterprising pub landlord sometime the last half of the twentieth century. After the railways took over the village had become a bit of a backwater. He hoped the "ancient tradition" would bring people in to Stilton to take part. 

Participants are encouraged to wear fancy dress - and there's a prize for the funkiest. Prizes are always the same - a whole Stilton Cheese, of course, for the winning men's and women's teams. And cups too - the Bell Cup for the men and the WI Cup for the ladies.

The Peterborough Phoenix wheelchair basket ball team have already signed up to have a go. This year's May Day festivities include traditional dancers, maypole dancing and mummers. All the money raised will go towards Stilton's Playing Field facilities.

If you fancy taking part this year, you'll need to ring or e-mail for an application form as soon as possible. Contact Carol Warren at either carolwarren_uk@yahoo.com or 01733 242389.