The Cheshire Cheese Campaign Rolls On The campaign to restore Cheshire cheese to its former position as the nation’s favourite is rolling on and winning new converts in high places. At this year’s Chester Cheese Rolling contest it was given the culinary blessing of the Cathedral’s Vice-Dean, the Revd. Canon Trevor Dennis and the City’s Lord and Lady Mayoress, Councillor and Mrs Jim Latham. After sampling a cocktail-stick morsel, the Vice-Dean could not resist the temptation to take home a wedge to share with his family and friends. Earlier the Vice-Dean had given a religious blessing to a giant wheel of Cheshire Cheese before it was taken on a ceremonial circuit of Chester’s city walls escorted by Roman guards, a brass band, local schoolchildren, the Lord Major and other civic leaders. The Cheshire Cheesemakers campaign team – comprising representatives from Belton Cheese of Whitchurch, Joseph Heler Ltd of Nantwich and Reece’s Creamery at Malpas – were gallant runners-up in this year’s annual contest winning Olympic-style medal presented by the Lord Mayor. Captain Brian Gresty, Belton’s General Manager, and his team-mates Shaun Johnson, Belton’s National Sales Manager, Rob Evans, Account Manager at Helers and Matt Spennati of Reece’s Creamery, were just pipped at the winning post by the Made in Cheshire team. “It was hard cheese – but there is always next year! “quipped Brian. Hundreds of cheering spectators lined the course in historic Bridge Street as the teams of high rollers raced in relay through the obstacle course of straw bales and farmyard figures. “We are determined to give Cheshire Cheese a kick start and see it restored to its rightful place among the truly great named cheeses,” said Mr Justin Beckett, of Belton Cheese just over the Cheshire border at Whitchurch. “Our collective aim with other local producers is to raise the profile of Cheshire Cheese.” “Award-winning Belton Cheese was started by Justin’s grandfather, Stanley Beckett, who left the family textile business in Manchester to work at Belton as a farm pupil, progressing up the ladder to become manager and eventually owner. Its organic Cheshire Cheese – one of eight different cheeses produced on the farm - is made today using the same special starter cultures and recipe it has used over three generations. Cheshire Cheese is Britain’s oldest named cheese and during the 19th century it was produced by hundreds of farmers throughout Cheshire and North Shropshire for shipment to London and the rest of the country. There are now only six remaining makers. It was first produced for the Romans at the garrison city of Chester and even has a mention in the Domesday Book.
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