A Wassailing we'll go!!'

The ritual begins by gathering at a chosen village pub where flaming torches are prepared & distributed & whence the black-faced men lead the crowd of revellers through the dark village lanes to the orchard.

Toast is soaked in cider, then placed in the fork of the tree chosen to represent the orchard. Cider is then sprinkled about the roots of the tree. Next, the Herefordshire Lantern is ignited: this is a beribboned thorn-cage stuffed with straw on a pole. It represents the sun reborn, and shows why this ancient ceremony took place at this time of year. At the midwinter, the coldest & darkest part of the year, people encouraged the return of light & warmth, and by so doing they performed an affirmation of their faith that it would be so. Next, the 13th fire is lit and immediately stamped out; the Fire of Eternal Renewal or the Judas Fire. This is the sign for the simultaneous lighting of the ring of twelve fires whilst the men dance and sing the Wassail Song beneath the trees

Then it's all back in procession to the meeting place where the Morris Men perform the Mummers Play, enlivened by members adding topical references or variations to their parts. More dances follow, then it is in to the bar for music, song, dance and drink!

A completely unique event, this is most definitely a date for your diary!   Event details

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