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tradition family fun cider dancing
Wassailing
bless the trees january orchards
Wassailing (Wassail meaning ‘Good Health or Be Well’) is an Anglo-Saxon custom in cider producing regions of England, so, as Herefordshire produces over half of the UK’s cider, we invite you to take part in this traditional event that blesses the orchards and promotes a good harvest for the coming year.
Wassailing, now around Twelfth Night in January, brings many together to drink a concoction of mulled ale or cider, served in huge silver or pewter bowls and mixed with curdled cream, apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar, small pieces of toast are often added and float on the top, its appearance leading some to call the drink ‘Lamb’s Wool’.
With a torch light procession between orchards, a wassail King and Queen lead the song, with the Queen lifted up to place the toast, soaked in wassail from the Clayen Cup, as a gift to the biggest tree.
With a greeting of ‘Wassail’, cider is poured onto its roots, an incantation recited and those present sing, shout and bang drums, pots, pans etc. to ward off evil spirits. Then it’s off to the next orchard, usually ending at a pub. It’s great family fun. Wassailing locations in Herefordshire include Weston’s Cider Mill, Lower House Farm in Tupsley Hereford, Pembridge in north Herefordshire, Colwall in Malvern the Crown Inn Woolhope and various others. Keep an eye on our What’s On guide online for more details.
Winter in Herefordshire
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