Scaring off evil spirits in ancient way (From Malvern Gazette)

Scaring off evil spirits in ancient way

10:00am Sunday 5th February 2012 in News

Alan Whitbread takes part in the custom of wassailing at Clive’s Fruit Farm. 04455004.

THE ancient custom of wassailing enjoyed a revival at a farm near Upton-upon-Severn on Sunday.

Crowds gathered at Clive’s Fruit Farm in Upper Hook Road to take part in the ceremony which is meant to lead to an abundant crop on the fruit trees this autumn.

The frosty start to the day did not deter visitors to the farm, who were keen to play their part in the Old English revel.

Rev Frances Wookey led prayers at the start of the wassailing, and then the participants, led by morris dancers, went down to the orchard.

At the head of the procession was the Clive family’s 30-year-old pony Brannigan.

When they reached the apple trees, the wassailers ‘toasted’ the apple trees – literally, by hanging slices of toasted bread from the branches with ribbons – and poured libations of cider around the trees’ roots.

They then gathered at a bonfire, which they walked around three times, and the wassailing was followed by a craft fair and pig roast. Jane Clive, of the farm, said: “Wassailing is an ancient custom and the intent is to scare evil spirits out of the orchards and bless the trees to ensure a good crop.

“Despite the cold weather, we had a good crowd of about 2-300, and everyone seemed to enjoy it very much.”