ON Saturday, January 7, Headless Cross Community Orchard will be holding its sixth annual Wassail.
Noisy revellers will meet at 7pm at The Rocklands Social Club on Birchfield Road, before embarking upon a percussive procession to the Headless Cross Green.
After a cacophonous circumnavigation of the orchard accompanied by members of the Arrow Valley Brass Band, the Wassail Queen will drape toast soaked in cider in the boughs of the apple trees while the axeman threatens any lingering evil spirits.
Orchard volunteer and folklore author Polly Jones said: “Cider soaked bread is placed in the branches to sate the tree spirits and noise is made to scare away bad spirits that might blight the apple trees, and also to wake the trees up after their winter sleep.
“The event is rounded off with a Headless Cross mulled cider toast to warm the spirits and a good old sing song accompanied by Arrow Valley Brass,” she added.
“So come along and join us, remember to bring your whistles, bells, pots and spoons or anything to awaken those sleepy trees. Wassail!”
