A CHEESEMAKER from Whitchurch has been featured at national ceremony.

The Annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses took place on Thursday, December 5 at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and saw generous donations from British cheesemakers, including Belton Farm.

Donations from Belton Farm this year included Vintage Red and White Fox Cheeses, Red Leicester, Cheshire Cheese, and Double Gloucester cheeses, with a grand total of 268kg of cheese donated to the Chelsea Pensioners by cheesemakers from across the UK.

This year’s ceremony marked another key anniversary, with 2019 being the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dairy UK chairman Paul Vernon highlighted the unique and historic role of cheese within British society, with Cheshire cheese mentioned in the doomsday book; used from Roman times to feed marching armies; and the role Government Cheese played in feeding the population throughout the war.

“It’s an honour to be here at the Royal Hospital, celebrating the sixtieth year of the Cheese Ceremony," said Paul.

"The generous donations from our cheesemakers given gladly are just a small token of the thanks we give to our brave veterans.”

Cutting the ceremonial Montgomery Cheddar was Chelsea Pensioner Monica Parrott, marking another timely anniversary of ten years since the first female Chelsea Pensioner was admitted to the Royal Hospital.

“It’s a privilege to be asked to cut the cheese at this year’s ceremony," said Monica.

"It is so kind that Dairy UK and all of the UK cheesemongers continue this tradition, and the Chelsea Pensioners will be sure to enjoy these incredible cheeses for as long as they last.”

Also taking part in the Ceremony were Chelsea Pensioners David Godwin and Oswell Telford.

David joined the Army in 1968 and went on to serve for three years with the Royal Corps of Transport and then for twenty years with in the Royal Military Police.

He saw service in UK, Northern Ireland and Cyprus and was discharged in 1991 having served for a total of twenty three years, and joining the Royal Hospital in July 2019.

Oswell joined the Army in 1958 and badged to the Coldstream Guards.

He saw service in UK, Northern Ireland and Germany and was discharged in 1988 having served for thirty years and promoted to the rank of Sergeant, joining the Royal Hospital in November 2015.