Villagers turn out en masse for wassailing (From Malvern Gazette)

Villagers turn out en masse for wassailing

9:30am Monday 25th January 2010 in News

COLWALL'S orchards are set for a bumper harvest this year after a fantastic turnout for wassailing on Saturday (January 23).

Around 200 people took part in the traditional ritual of waking up the orchards, twice the number that braved the winter weather last year.

A dramatic torch-lit procession made its way from Colwall Green across the fields to Cummins Orchard, where a bonfire and path of flares led to the largest tree in the orchard, which had been hung with lanterns.

There, according to old English tradition, an anonymous master of ceremonies known only as “The Butler” led the crowd in loud cries of Wassail or “Good Health”.

A piece of toast soaked in cider was then put into the branches of the tree, called the Old Man of the Orchard, and cider was poured on its roots. Then the crowd made as much noise as possible to wake up the orchard, all of which is supposed to ensure a good harvest in the coming autumn.

Wassailing goes back centuries in apple-growing and cider-making areas of England. This is the second year of its revival as a family friendly event in Colwall and it attracted all ages.

Tim Dixon, chairman of the Colwall Orchard Group, said: “The turnout has been great, as have the hats! It’s exciting seeing so many people bring this old country tradition to life.”

The volunteers of Colwall Orchard Group work to maintain the village’s many old orchards and celebrate traditional orchard heritage. They run regular pruning working parties throughout the winter, and this year will be planting more local fruit tree varieties to replace some of the many that have been lost.

“It’s about getting people to value these incredibly important habitats,” said Mr Dixon. “Traditional orchards are disappearing all the time and we have some of the richest in terms of wildlife, right here.”

The next event run by the orchard group will be the blossom picnic in the spring.