Orchard Wassail

Saturday 27 January 2024: Orchard Wassail from 5-6pm in the ‘Apple-a-day’ Orchard at South Brent Health Centre, in Plymouth Road, South Brent, TQ10 9HT.

Join SSB’s ‘4Bs’ group for a Traditional Orchard Wassail. Come and help the musicians bless the apple trees and scare off the evil spirits with traditional songs and loud noises to ensure a good harvest.

At about 5:10 we will gather in the car park to hear a little about wassailing and some information about the event and to learn a song or two …. . We will then follow the singers to bless 2 or 3 trees. After there will me a little more music, and we can drink and eat until it is all gone, (we are not catering for excess quantities). We anticipate the event will end by 6pm.

Bring torches, mugs, drums/rattles/saucepans to create a loud noise. Dress up if you choose – a garland of ivy; Sparkling lights; Apple Queen or King. Mulled drinks available.

CLICK HERE for a song sheet

‘Apple’ or ‘Orchard’ Wassailing is a revived, ancient tradition performed in many villages around ‘Old Twelfth Night’ to bless the cider apples and orchards and encourage a good crop in the coming year (for more info on Wassailing see: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/art-collections/wassailing-ritual-and-revelry).

Booking only – limited tickets at £6, £3, £0. Children free (must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Please book early via www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/traditional-orchard-wassail-at-the-health-centre-tickets-794542537117. If tickets have sold out but you would like to attend, please email the organisers at beesbugs@ssb.org.uk.

NB. No dogs; No parking in the Health Centre car-park.