A KNUTSFORD dairy took centre stage at annual event in London that has taken place for more 300 years.

The Chelsea Pensioners enjoyed a taste of Cheshire cheese as Bexton Lane-based Delamere Dairy, along with Joseph Heler cheeses, were in attendance at the annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.

Delamere Dairy and Joseph Heler kindly donated a total of 5.3kg of 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 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.

The choir delighted the Pensioners with their rendition of Christmas classics Winter Wonderland and Jingle Bells.

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.”

Chelsea Pensioner Mary Johnston cut the ceremonial cheese during the ceremony, a 24kg Montgomery Cheddar donated by J.A. & E. Montgomery, 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. She left in September 1945 having served for three years.

Mary got married in 1943 to her first husband who was a member of the Welsh Guards Band.

She had two sons one of whom was a Colonel in the Army Catering Corps and one who was a Warrant Officer in the Royal Engineers.