Tri-Service
Truckles And Chuckles For Chelsea Pensioners
There are lots of military traditions, but this one really takes the biscuit. The Ceremony of The Christmas Cheeses. It’s festive, there’s cheese, what more could you want?
It happens every year at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and this tradition has been in place as long as the Hospital itself. In 1692 a local cheesemonger donated cheese to the, “Red Breasts of Chelsea”, as a Christmas gift, and its stuck ever since.
This year 64 cheeses have been donated by 27 different cheese makers around the country – and if all those cheese and cracker combos work up a thirst, refreshments are on hand from Fullers Brewery. The whole thing is organised by the Dairy Council.
More From Forces TV:Chelsea Pensioner Takes Part In Bungee Jump
The Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra provide musical entertainment and this year they’re joined by Britain’s Got Talent star Charlotte Jaconelli.
To officially start this cheese extravaganza, the biggest offering is cut into, and for a 24.74kg cheese wheel you need some pretty sizeable cutting apparatus.
The General Officer’s sword does the trick nicely. This year 82 year old Chelsea Pensioner Derek Walters has the honour, and took the ivory handled sword to ‘Montgomery’s Mature Cheddar’.
Time to spread that festive cheer.
First look at the 24.75kg ceremonial cheese, a lovely Montgomery's Mature Cheddar, to be cut at 1115 #CheeseCeremonypic.twitter.com/vLv520dEaG
— RoyalHospitalChelsea (@RHChelsea) December 2, 2015It’s going to brie one hell of a party at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
