Wassail 2017
Saturday January 14th 2017
Wassail 2017 |
RHSO's Annual Wassail took place on Saturday 14th January, it was well attended by over 120 local residents and was very different to past events, but just as much fun and we were lucky that the weather was extremely cold but dry and the wassail fire warmed everyone as did the plentiful refreshments which raised over £350
Wassail 2017 |
The wassail fire was in a fire pit and singing will took place just outside the orchard on the land just to the South next to the Rivers Hospital access road. Pretty fairy lights showed the way. The tree blessing took place just inside the orchard where we blessed one of our yonger trees, fed the good orchard spirits and the children helped us chase the evil ones out of the orchard. Music was helped along as ever by our flutist, Zoe Dedman.
Refreshments (cakes, biscuits, hot and cold cider and apple juice) were available at the event, as were bottles of our apple juice.
Wassail 2017 |
We were very grateful to the many volunteers (including Adrienne, Ruth, Robinne & husband, Anne, Geoff, Nickie, Barrie, Hazel, Dave, Elizabeth, Rob, Eric Richard, Jo & Steve (but my apologies if I've missed anyone off) who helped set up, keep things going during the event and helped clear up. We were also grateful to Rivers Hospital who let us use their staff carpark on the opposite side of the road on this occasion.
You can read a report from Wassail 2016 here