Wassail 2019
Saturday January 19th 2019
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Having missed a year we were glad to once again be able to run the Wassail on Saturday 19th January. The wassail fire was in a fire pit and singing 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 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 which is really well received and enables wassail songs from around the country to be played.
The entertainment before and after the Wassail ceremony by the ‘Ukes of Hazard’ was very popular and we had refreshments available including cakes provided by some volunteers, mulled apple juice from Orchard apples and the donation of 20 litres of cider which helped to bring the refreshment income to over £180. This sum went a good way to offset our new lighting expenses and purchase of an additional gazebo for the event, in addition to other equipment hired.
Everyone agreed it was a great evening with over 100 people joining in the fun. We were lucky with the weather although bitterly cold.
We were grateful to the many volunteers, including: Adrienne, Barrie, Ruth, Eric, Hazel, Dave, Nickie, Geoff, Robinne, Greg, Anne, Keith, Paul, Elizabeth, & Rob who contributed so much in the set up or during the evening and clearing up or making cakes (apologies if we’ve missed anyone)
You can read a report from Wassail 2017 here