Wassail!

Wassail Butler Adam Warren explores the history of Wassailing through this year's popular event at Diglis Fields in Worcester...

Winter’s frost lies hard on the ground as the torchlit procession winds its way through the dark orchard. Suddenly a great shout of “Wassail!” rings out and we all yell “Wassail!” in reply. Soon we are gathered around an old apple tree, ready to take part in an ancient ceremony that gives thanks for last year’s crop and will ‘wake up’ the orchard to encourage a good harvest this year. The master of ceremonies, known as the Butler, pours an offering of cider on the tree’s roots and toast is hung from its branches. All join in with the traditional invocation:

Old apple tree, we Wassail thee,
And hope that thou will bear.
Hats full, caps full, three bushel bags full,
And a little heap under the stairs.

Then there is singing, drinking cider and and a good deal of noise to scare away any malignant spirits before we make our way back to the warmth of inn, hearth or home. Wassail!

The word Wassail comes from an Old Norse greeting “ves heill”, meaning “be in good health”, and the ceremony dates back to at least the 14th century. It traditionally took place on Twelfth Night but has undergone an explosion in popularity over the past decade. The ‘wassail season’ now stretches from early January to mid-February and the ceremony has spread from its roots in the rural orchards of England’s cider-producing counties to villages, towns and cities across the whole country.

A tree in the foreground with a crowd behind holding candles/torches - it's nighttime

For example, The Friends of Diglis Fields is a local group that organises community events in Diglis Fields, a city centre park and nature reserve by the River Severn in Worcester. Last year they invited me to lead the first ever Wassail at the tiny orchard they planted a few years ago. Their aim was to bring local residents and families together for a free, fun event that would celebrate nature and help build a sense of community. Other local groups offered their support, such as the Transition Worcester Community Garden and the Elgar School of Music Folk Ensemble. The organisers liaised with the council’s parks team and the police, and volunteers were found for the many event-day tasks.

At last the day arrived and as dusk fell we started to gather in the park. Homemade cake and mulled apple juice was available to help keep us warm and our musicians played lively folk tunes. Long lines of flickering lanterns lit the path we would take towards our orchard. At the appointed time I blew my hunting horn, made a brief welcoming speech and led the procession along the path towards the waiting tree…Wassail!

A man dressed as a Wassail Butler - with bells around knees and feathers in a top hat; it's dark and there's a torch alight in the foreground with trees in the background

I’ve just led the second Wassail at Diglis Fields and this year we had around 200 participants; double last year’s number. I've also just led folk in West Malvern from the Brewers Arms, their community-owned pub, to the orchard by the church for their very first Wassail. I’ve lost count of the number of Wassails now taking place across Worcestershire but if you would like to take part next year they should be easy to find. Some are very local and open whilst others, such as the big one at Weston’s Cider, are ticketed. Alternatively, if you have a fruit tree in your garden or allotment you could get together with friends and organise your own event.

At their best, these events are a link to our past, a celebration of nature, an affirmation of community and a re-enchantment of orchards and the bounty that they provide. Wassail!