News

Winner announced in National Anthem competition

15 August 2012

Cheese lovers choose their favourite Cheddar tune.

After fighting off fierce competition from a host of musical Cheddar enthusiasts, the Upbeat Choir from Wanstead, East London, have snatched the top prize in the British Cheese Board’s hunt for a national anthem for Cheddar. Their rousing rendition of ‘Cheddar’ set to the tune of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ was the clear winner, receiving over 41% of public votes and over 5,000 views on YouTube.

With lyrics written by Tim Sutton and a video featuring members of the Upbeat Choir enjoying their favourite savory treat, ‘Cheddar’ proved a big hit with voters from the outset, and  pulled in just short of 1,000 votes over the four weeks of the voting phase. The nationwide competition was launched earlier this year to celebrate British Cheddar, the nation’s favourite cheese, and over 100 entries were submitted from across the country, with a prize of a year’s supply of British Cheddar and two weekend passes to Alex James’ Food and Music festival up for grabs.

Tim Sutton, Musical Director of the Upbeat Choir, said of the win:

“Upbeat is a new choir, but a very special one. I'm thrilled that we've won this competition, and I'm grateful to the British Cheese Board, which staged the event in a spirit of enormous fun. Our success represents the twin British pillars of community music-making and cheddar, and I couldn't be prouder.” 

Runner up in the competition was Dr Busker, whose re-working of ‘Jerusalem’ complete with accompaniment  by an accordion, a bass drum and a field full of dairy cows, claimed nearly a quarter of the votes.

Nigel White, secretary of the British Cheese Board, and one of the competition judges, said of the result:

“We’ve been thrilled with the reaction of the British public to the national anthem for Cheddar competition, and the enthusiasm shown by all entrants and voters. The Upbeat Choir is a very worthy winner and demonstrates perfectly how passionate people are about British made Cheddar.”

To listen to the winning song and view some of the entries that didn’t quite make the shortlist click here.