Although wassails have taken on many forms through the centuries, blessing the apple trees for a productive season and scaring away evil orchard spirits have always been at its heart.
With a creative Dorset twist, nowadays a wassail will often involve stories, songs or plays – always a lot of fun to be had, and cider and apple juice sampling guaranteed!
In the heart of Dorset orchard country, Dorset Star orchard near Cattistock and Dorset Nectar orchard near Bridport – were both wassailing this year, and last weekend saw a bold band of merry makers chasing out the spirits in the Dorset Star Orchard.
If you missed it, then come on down to Dorset Nectar’s Orchard this Sat 28th January, where the Bridport Mummers will be in action along with Morris Dancing, and Storyteller extraordinaire Martin Maudsley.
There’ll be Mulled Cider, Apple juice and more to be enjoyed from mid afternoon into the evening. And don’t forget to bring along something that makes a noise to chase out all the evil tree spirits! Saucepan lids are great!
Come one Come All Wassail!
Did you know that the Dorset AONB team have also been giving Dorset’s orchards a helping hand providing grant support for orchard planting and renovations through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
Photo courtesy of Martin Maudsley