In 2002, the event was again held as planned, commencing at mid-day.
RACE RESULTS 2002 EVENTS

This was the year of the Queen’s Jubilee.

It was 50 years since Queen Elizabeth had succeeded to the throne and many celebrations were to take place throughout Britain on the May Bank Holiday Monday.
The Committee therefore decided to hold the ‘Cheese Rolling and Wake’ the following day, possibly the first time cheeses had been rolled on a Tuesday.

An overcast day greeted the large gathering of people to the hill from all over the world.
Possibly as a result of the change of day, there were considerably fewer spectators than usual.

There was a very excited atmosphere as mid-day approached and the crowd began to chant 'Roll the cheese!'

As usual, competitors ran, tumbled, rolled and slid down after the cheeses in the 4 down-hill races.

Recent rain had softened the ground but the going was still very fast!

DOWNHILL RACES

Race 1		Craig Brown	He had previously won in 2000, but after a horrific fall this year, has announced his retirement from the event. See the video of his fall
Race 2		Steven Brain	Won his first cheese in the second race of this years event.
Race 3 (Ladies Race)		Kirsty Shepherd	Summoning the courage required for this mad, downhill plunge
Race 4		Steven Brain	Also won the 4th race this year,  bringing his total to 17 wins)

GUEST ROLLERS
Our thanks to the guests invited to roll cheeses for the down-hill races who were:

Pub landlord Craig Brown, winner in the first race, fell badly in the second, somersaulting down the hill and suffering head injuries, which needed hospital treatment. He received 20 stitches in his head wound. 
Craig claimed to have been tripped up by another competitor, the incident may be seen on the video clip below:
See the video of his fall.
Requires Real Player which can be downloaded by clicking this link.

After BBC's Midlands Today programme showed him a video of his fall, he decided that he'd chased his last cheese. Craig said of the video: "I didn't like that at all and I don't think I'll be doing it again." 

'Young Farmers' and rugby players were among the experts acting as 'catchers' for the runners who were unable to stop!

There were casualties of course, but every competitor has the opportunity to assess the danger and is responsible for his / her own actions.

We are very grateful to both S.A.R.A.I.D. (Search and Rescue Aid in Disaster) and St. John Ambulance for helping the injured.

We also have to thank 'Regent Security' who provide the marshals.

St.John's Ambulance were kept busy treating the injured.

SARAID were, of course hard at work, without their help the event could not be held!
 
SARAID are ever ready to fly out at very short notice, to any human disaster anywhere in the world. They are a totally voluntary, non governmental organisation, supported by donations. Their work, as is the case with the other emergency aid organisations, is essential during the first few hours after a disaster, when their skills at locating injured and trapped survivors of the initial disaster will save countless lives. It is often the case in disasters, that the local infrastructure and systems break down and local government and officials in the immediate vicinity are overwhelmed. Outside assistance therefore is vital particularly in the first few hours

Please visit the SARAID web site for more information on the organisation and its works, here you can also make a donation to assist their efforts

SARAID - Search And Rescue Assistance In Disasters

(Photos © J.J.)

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