Kick up your heels and Wassail
Sunday 16th January 2011
at Ryton Gardens
Blessing the apple tree
A traditional British custom will be kept alive this winter at Ryton Gardens in Warwickshire, when Garden Organic holds its annual Wassail on Sunday 16 January.
The Wassail, a custom that originated in the cider-making regions of the South West of England, is celebrated close to old Twelfth Night and involves the blessing of apple trees to encourage a bumper apple harvest in the coming year.
From the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘wes hal’, meaning good health, the Wassail casts aside the winter to make way for spring. And to celebrate this vibrant, centuries old custom, visitors are invited to kick up their heels and join in the fun for free from 11.00am “ 12.30 pm.
Andy Strachan, Head Gardener at Garden Organic said: “The Wassail is a fun and energetic custom that has been celebrated for centuries. The colourful event really brightens up a cold winter’s day and the spectacle is exciting for all the family to enjoy. It is fair to say that last year’s Wassail certainly gave us a healthy apple crop so we can only hope for the same this year. If you want to witness true folklore in action, then don’t miss the Wassail!”
Revellers at the Ryton Gardens event can enjoy Elephant Up a Pole morris dancing group perform a number of traditional dances followed by a re-enactment of the custom in the apple orchard. The group begins by saluting an apple tree followed by hanging cider-dipped bread on the branches to attract robins, said to bring good luck. Ending with a bang, the wassail culminates with a blank shot to wake the orchard from its winter sleep.
Visitors are suggested to arrive for 11am as the Wassailing takes place between 11am “ 12.30pm. Entry to the event is free and an organic restaurant is also on site selling winter warmers.
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Garden Organic is the working name of the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA).
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