So, the wassail was celebrated with noise, song, lights, decorated trees and mulled apple juice. I am assuming we can sit back and expect a bumper crop of apples as a result. This was the first year our wassail has been accompanied by the erm… robust sound of a wheelbarrow orchestra, but I think they will become a feature. Who knows, given time, a wheelbarrow orchestra might become an essential part of the wassailing custom across the land. And then there was a chap dressed as a penguin. Again, not something I’ve come across in my researches of wassailing in times gone by, but he certainly added to the fun. If you have any more photos we would love to see them – send them to us by email or share them on our Facebook page. Photos on this post taken by Marina Velez.

“Our wassel we do fill
With apples and with spice,
Then grant us your good will
To taste here once or twice
Of our good wassel.”

Everyone is welcome to our Wassail, a traditional ceremony to celebrate the apple trees and encourage them to bear a good crop in the year to come. There will be a bit of traditional dancing, some hearty singing of wassail songs, and a cup or two of mulled cider (or apple juice) to keep out the cold.

The orchard will be decorated with lights, ribbons and anything else we can lay our hands on, and we will celebrate apple trees, traditional orchards and the Old Twelfth Night all in one go.

Adults and children very welcome – wrap up warm, bring a torch or a lantern, a musical instrument or something to make a noise with, and a ribbon or anything you like to decorate the trees.

For further updates and snippets about the wassail tradition, please like our Facebook page.