05/12/2025
CHEESE, CHEER AND COMMUNITY: THE 66TH ANNUAL CEREMONY OF THE CHRISTMAS CHEESE
Cheesemakers from across the UK once again showed their generosity and donated their finest British cheeses to the Chealsea Pensioners of the Royal Hospital Chelsea as part of this long-standing tradition.
The Annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses (fondly known as the βCheese Ceremonyβ) took place this week. It marked an impressive 333rd anniversary of the wonderful tradition and the 66th year of the formalisation of the event.
The history of cheesemakers donating cheeses to the Royal Hospital dates to the opening of the Royal Hospital when Sir Christopher Wren asked local cheesemongers to donate cheese to the Pensioners the year the Hospital opened β 1692. After that, local cheese makers continued making ad hoc donations. Sixty-six years ago, this became an organised and regular event β now coordinated by Dairy UK - continuing to this day.
British cheesemakers donated around 340kgs (a huge 750lbs) as part of this yearβs celebrations, continuing to support Veterans at the Royal Hospital in spite of the many challenges facing the industry this year.
Cutting this yearβs Ceremonial Montgomery Cheddar (a core part of the tradition dating back to 1692) was Chelsea Pensioner Andy Kay, aged 75. Joining the army as a boy soldier at 15, Andy enlisted to The Royal Scots where he served in Germany, Cyprus and UK and undertook four operational tours of Northern Ireland. After exercise in Norway, Greece, Denmark, France and Libya Andy then became a clerk for the last four years of his regular service leaving the Army in 1976. Shortly after leaving regular service, he joined the Territorial Armyβs, staying with them for six years to become a Chief Clerk. Andy arrived at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in January 2022.
Can you spot High Weald Dairy Cheese....?