Randwick Cheese Rolling

 

On the first Sunday in May, Randwick holds a cheese rolling ceremony at St. John's church. Three large double Gloucester cheeses are carried in a procession to the parish church in individual baskets decorated with flowers. Andy and I attended the church service where congregants involved in the cheese rolling are dressed in period costumes. 

Andy and I attended the church service where congregants involved in the cheese rolling are dressed in period costumes. The cheeses are blessed and just prior to the conclusion of the service, the whole congregation moves outside where a town crier announces the commencement of the "rolling of the cheese" (top photo, unfortunately, you can barely see the town crier in this photo - located behind the Randwick banner). At this point, each of the wrapped cheeses are taken out of their baskets and according to tradition, each cheese is mystically rolled around the the church three times, anti-clockwise. When I asked an elderly local why they did this, he explained it was an old tradition originally meant to ward off evil spirits!

The local minister had the privilege to roll the first cheese, and immediately thereafter the children chase the cheese, rolling, kicking, and even carrying the cheese around the church three times, after which one of the 3 cheeses are cut up and served on crackers to those attending the ceremony along with cups of tea, coffee and juice for the children. According to tradition, the sharing of the cheese is said to protect fertility to ensure future generations of "Runickers", the name used when referring to the Randwick locals.