Cotswold Olimpicks could be added to Heritage list
The event takes place in Chipping Campden and counts the world shin-kicking championships and tug o' war among its disciplines.
The government will soon be seeking submissions from the public to nominate their favourite traditions that best reflect the nation, which will be recorded in the new Inventory of Living Heritage in the UK.
Graham Greenall, a custodian of the event's 400-year history, said its inclusion on the list would be "vital" because "it is the traditions of ordinary people that could go missing".
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The Cotswold Olimpicks was started by Robert Dover, an author and attorney, who, after moving to Chipping Campden, wanted to channel the competitive traits of residents in 1612.
It is thought William Shakespeare may have attended the games in their early days, shortly before his death in 1616.
The wrestling scene in As You Like It and the line "How did your dog run on Cotsall (Cotswold)?" in the Merry Wives of Windsor are thought to be inspired by the games.
Cheese rolling on Cooper's Hill, surfing the Severn Bore, and the Woolsack Races in Tetbury may also be submitted for the list.
Mr Greenall said, despite the global recognition some Gloucestershire traditions receive, their inclusion on the list would prevent them from going "missing".
"Royalty [is] self-sustaining, but with cheese rolling and the football in the river, if they stop for a while, it's quite difficult to resurrect things," he said.
"I think the best part about it is all these traditions, although they're incredibly well known, are all run and funded by locals.
"It's their traditions, it's their thing."
The government will work with the devolved governments to create the list and will consider submissions from across the UK.
It comes after the UK signed the 2003 Unesco Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Culture Heritage, which requires member states to compile an inventory of living heritage practised by communities in each country.
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Cheese rolling contestants take on Cooper's Hill
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