This year cheese makers large and small from around the UK donated over 330kg of British cheese to the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Chelsea Pensioner Norman Bareham, who served in the Coldstream Guards – the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army – was tasked with cutting the Ceremonial Cheese, a magnificent 24kg Montgomery Cheddar donated by J.A & E Montgomery, at the event.
The centuries old tradition of donating cheese to the In-Pensioners began over 320 years ago in 1692 and cheesemakers have continued to do so ever since. Sixty four years ago the process of the cheese donations was organised into a Ceremony of celebration and gratitude to the Chelsea pensioners for their service.
Dairy UK is honoured to continue the tradition of hosting the Annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cheese, which is never complete without the fine vintage ale kindly donated for the Chelsea Pensioners by Asahi UK and the Fuller’s Griffin Brewery.
Paul Vernon, Chairman of Dairy UK said: “We are very grateful to the cheesemakers from across the UK for their generous donations and their ongoing commitment to celebrating the men and women of this great British institution. This annual donation is a great tradition of paying tribute to the courage and contribution of our war veterans and we at Dairy UK are proud to play a part in this historic event.”