DOZENS of noisy revellers took part in Headless Cross’s annual Wassail on Saturday to wake up the orchard for the year ahead.
The ancient tree blessing saw more than 100 people raising a glass and banging on saucepans.
The celebration saw local women’s Morris dancing troupe Nancy Butterfly entertain the crowd outside the Rocklands Social Club.
This was followed by a torch-lit procession through to the Headless Cross Community Orchard where people were greeted with hot spiced cider and apple juice.
Master of ceremonies Liz Jennings then led a service which included a toast of good health to the orchard’s fruit trees.
Sharon Harvey was crowned this year’s Wassail Queen and she hung cider-soaked toast into the boughs of the oldest apple tree, as an offering and blessing of good health.
The Arrow Valley Brass band were in attendance to provide the tunes for celebration songs, including the adapted ‘Juice-Alem’.
And 23 other fruit trees across the orchard were commemorated in a naming ceremony, with families adding beautiful handmade tree cookie emblems to the trees to mark their names.
In old English, Wassail means a wishing of good health.
It is an ancient custom that is believed to ensure a prosperous and beautiful harvest for the year ahead.
Wassailing has been a tradition in Worcestershire orchards for hundreds of years.
Following the Wassail, Headless Cross Community Orchard volunteers revealed they would be planting over 100kg of daffodil bulbs.
The orchard was planted by residents 13 years ago and is home to a variety of Worcestershire-specific fruit trees, including the Redditch Doddin apple.
Orchard volunteer Alistair Waugh said: “Local people tell us how important the orchard is to them – it’s a lovely community green space.
“Putting in these bulbs is really just about adding a splash of colour for spring each year, it’s something to look forward to and lifts the mood for the longer days ahead.”
Annual events to take place on the orchard include a May Fayre and Apple Day.
Visit Headless Cross Community Orchards Facebook page to volunteer.
