A CELEBRATION of Mother Nature to encourage a good autumn harvest of orchard fruits will take place in Alcester this Saturday (January 17).
A traditional Wassail at the community orchard on Jubilee Fields will feature torchlit processions, Morris dancing and musket fire from the Sealed Knot Society.
The event, organised by Alcester Court Leet, will begin at 2pm at Eric Payne Community Centre with displays from White Hart Morris and Alvechurch Morris Men.
Alcester Singers will lead the singing of Wassail songs and there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to make themselves a Wassail crown from greenery.
At 4.30pm, torches will be lit and the Winter Queen and Holly King will lead a procession from the centre for a short walk to the Alcester Community Orchard for the main ceremony.
This involves hanging pieces of toast on the branches of the main tree for the robins, and pouring a drop of cider at its roots as an offering.
Co-organiser Peter Neale of White Hart Morris said: “We are very excited to be entering our third year of Wassailing at Alcester.
“The response has been brilliant with more attending each year. There seems a real desire to reconnect with nature and to the changing seasons.”
There will be free hot dogs and drinks for children and a prize for the best crown.
