Top traditional UK events that Brits have never heard of – including cheese-rolling | UK | News
Millions of adults admit they haven’t heard of many of the traditional events taking place across the UK – including burning a wicker man, wife-carrying races, and bog snorkelling. Research of 2,000 adults revealed 27 percent had not come across the annual cheese-rolling competition held in Brockworth, Gloucestershire.
While worm charming was seen as the oddest traditional championships on the British Isles.
And although 74 percent were familiar with dancing around the maypole, 43 percent had no idea why anyone would do this.
The research was commissioned by National Geographic ahead of the launch of season five of “Europe From Above” – a documentary series that highlights some of the unique offerings of Great Britain from the skies, with its first episode airing this Sunday, June 11, at 8pm.
Kirk Watson, an aerial filmmaker who shot footage for the series using drones, said: “The research has been a great way to celebrate some of the weird and wonderful traditions that are unique to the UK.
“There’s certainly a rich cultural offering here which dates back hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years.
“Some of these are iconic and known across the country, while others may be heard of for the first time by many as a result of this research.”
The study also found 35 percent of adults have got involved in the classic British tradition of flipping pancakes, while a quarter have even taken part in the summer solstice at Stonehenge.
And 81 percent believe such customs are the types of things that make the UK unique, with 71 percent enjoying learning more about them.
As a result, 92 percent believe it’s important to keep these age-old traditions alive, as 58 percent worry about them dying out.
Some of the top reasons people consider this to be so crucial are because it is a reminder of history, celebrations of local or national culture, and it enables people to come together.
And 90 percent see such events as contributing to the cultural identity of the…
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