AN ANCIENT tradition to bless the apple orchard returns to Alcester tomorrow (Saturday, January 18), with the annual wassail.
This Anglo-Saxon celebration involving music, song, dancing and noise takes place to wake Mother Nature from the depth of her winter slumbers and ensure a bountiful harvest of fruit come summertime.
Organised by Alcester Court Leet, it is the second year the event will run and will see attendees gather in the community orchard on Jubilee Fields to enjoy dancing displays by White Hart Morris men.
Those gathered will then participate in a ceremony to bless the largest tree.
This involves hanging pieces of toast on its branches for the robins, singing special wassailing songs and pouring a drop of cider at its roots as an offering.
Pots and pans are then enthusiastically banged in the final part of proceedings to ward off any evil spirits that might be lurking around.
The Holly King and Winter Queen will be in attendance, as well as musketeers from the Sealed Knot Society who will be firing a volley of shots.
Participants should meet at 4pm at the Eric Payne Community Centre off St Faiths Road ready to set off on a torchlit procession to the community orchard at 5pm.
For children there is a nature crown competition and they will also get a free hot dog back at the community centre afterwards.
Entry is free and warm clothing is advised.
