Chelsea pensioners begin cheese festivities
The Royal Hospital Chelsea veterans have begun their annual festivities with a ceremonial celebration of British cheese.
British cheesemakers have donated 514lbs worth of quality cheeses from around the UK including cheddar, stilton, brie and red Leicester. This year, the ceremonial cheese was a giant 53lbs of Montgomery Cheddar, donated by J A E Montgomery, which was cut by In-Pensioner Leo Tighe.
Tighe joined the Army in 1959 and served in the Irish Guards for 25 years, reaching the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2. Following outstanding service in Jordan, he was honoured to be awarded the British Empire Medal.
He became a Chelsea Pensioner in January. He says, “It is a great honour to take part in this wonderful ceremony, especially as it involves one of my favourite foods. I am extremely proud to be representing my fellow in-pensioners here at the Royal Hospital today.
“We cannot thank the cheesemakers enough for their generous contributions. Every year we look forward to receiving this delicious Christmas gift.”
Ash Amirahmadi, chairman of The Dairy Council, adds, “Cheesemakers across the UK have a great tradition of paying tribute to the courage and contribution made by our war veterans, and this year they certainly didn’t disappoint.
“Cheese is a food of the forces. It has been included in soldiers’ rations for centuries and that says it all – from its nutritional value to its much-loved taste, we have a great British product.”
