CHELSEA Pensioners enjoyed a taste of Dorset last week as Dorset Blue cheese took centre stage at the annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.

Dorset Blue donated 3kg of Dorset Blue Vinny Minis cheese for the Chelsea Pensioners to enjoy over the festive season, a tradition that dates back more than 300 years and celebrates the role of cheese in feeding the armed forces.

The centuries-old tradition began in 1692 when the Royal Hospital asked a local cheesemonger to provide the Pensioners with cheese as a Christmas treat. Cheesemakers across the UK have continued this tradition ever since.

The Chelsea Pensioners were joined by The Military Wives Choir who were the guests of honour at this year’s ceremony.

Ash Amirahmadi, chairman of The Dairy Council, said: “The Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses is one of the dairy industry’s most treasured events.

It is a delight to be kicking off the festive season with such a joyful and colourful occasion.

“Cheesemakers from across the country have once again done us proud by donating an outstanding 246kg of fine quality British cheese.

“Cheese and dairy products represent a very important part of the veterans’ diet and it has been great to celebrate this with the Chelsea Pensioners and the Military Wives Choir today.”

Dorset Blue has been producing cheese from Woodbridge Farm, situated in the heart of Dorset in Sturminster Newton, for more than 40 years.

The cheese company’s range now extends to soups, awardwinning chutneys and pickled cucumbers.

Chelsea Pensioner Mary Johnston cut the ceremonial cheese during the ceremony, which marks the first time a woman has ever cut the ceremonial Christmas cheese.

Aged 92, Mary joined the Auxilliary Territorial Service in January 1942 and was stationed at Aldermaston and then Hounslow.

Mary said: “Cheese has been handed out in rations since the First World War and has always been a favourite among British soldiers. I am proud to be representing the Chelsea Pensioners, we cannot thank the cheesemakers enough.”