Setting Wassail!

Jan 152 min read

What a day for a Wassail! On Sunday we saw our 4th annual Wassail at RCG hosted alongside the wonderful Heartwood Chorus. Although the weather was a bit grey, spirits were high. We had a brilliant turnout: over 250 people of all ages with their pots and pans at the ready!

The day started with a Wassail crown & wand-making workshop in the Canopy. Continuing with the apple theme, the crowns were decorated using apple prints which produced some beautiful creations!

Next we had a singing workshop led by Neil, director of Heartwood Chorus, to teach attendees the special Wassail song. It was a professional affair with groups split up into their respective singing ranges ready for action!

Then came the ceremony: a Wassail is a special celebration traditionally held on the Twelfth Night, where participants gather around the oldest apple tree and engage in rituals to promote a good harvest of apples that year.

To begin, we stood around the tree and Lou invited a helper, Gill, to hang cider-dipped toast on its branches to ward off any interfering energy, helping to invoke the good. Lou then recited the blessing and poured cider around the roots of the tree to ensure we have a good harvest for the year. Attendees erupted in cheers, banging their pots and pans as loudly and enthusiastically as possible! We then sang the Wassail song that we had just learnt.

After this, we had a procession around the Garden, singing the Wassail song at the top of our lungs and banging the pots and pans. Attendees then drank mulled cider/apple juice, ate homemade pasties and turnovers and basked in the energy of the afternoon.

We finished off the day with a good old knees up with Brigestowe Village band who played a variety of folk songs, with the infamous Hobby Horse making an appearance as well.