7 weird events in England’s West Country
Charm worms, chase cheese or devour raw onions: the West Country of England is home to some truly bonkers events, as Simon Farnsworth discovers…
1. Tar barrel rolling, Ottery St Mary, Devon
The usually sleepy Devonshire town of Ottery St Mary gets fired up for Bonfire Night in a big way. Visitors can witness mad or brave (you decide) participants run through the town’s streets with a flaming barrel of tar resting on their shoulders. For centuries, residents (and it is strictly only residents who partake), have taken great pride in their Bonfire Night event that draws in thousands of spectators.
2. Cheese rolling, Brockworth, Gloucestershire
Although officially banned in 2010 due to mounting concerns over health and safety and arguments over plans to introduce tickets, cheese rolling continues to be held in an unofficial capacity. Thousands of cheese hunters flock to Brockworth from around the world for the chance to fling themselves down the steep gradient of Cooper’s Hill.
Broken bones are not uncommon as competitors tumble down the hill’s 50% gradient in pursuit of a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. Winners of the race claim the wheel of cheese, whilst everyone else’s reward for reaching the bottom is getting tackled by burly members of the local rugby team.
