Tag Archives: wassail
A wassailing we go! Events for 2013
Posted on January 3, 2013 by Jim C.
If like me you are raring to break your new years resolutions and join other likeminded people in the 12th night celebrations of Wassailing then look no further than these delicious events around the UK. These are the listings that I have been sent from other cider heads, if you know of any others – [...]
Continue Reading
Wassail at Middle Farm, East Sussex
Posted on January 26, 2011 by Jim C.
We had a great visit to Middle Farm in the middle of January, where we went a Wassailing! A Wassail is a winter celebration, traditionally held on Old Twelfth Night, to ensure that the orchard is fruitful in the coming months. It was a fantastic clear crisp night, perfect for blessing the fruit trees. There [...]
Continue Reading
Wassail events 2011
Posted on December 6, 2010 by Jim C.
On a winter’s evening in January, usually Old Christmas Eve (January 5), Twelfth night (January 6) or Old Twelfth night (January 17), about 200 townsfolk gather to play witness to a wassail ceremony, which resembles something out of a medieval Shakespearean play from what I’ve seen on the Internet. “Wassail ceremony is a wonderful assault [...]
Continue Reading
Wassail events 2010
Posted on January 10, 2010 by Jim C.
Wassailing is an old custom that takes place on Old Twelfth Night (17 January) or thereabouts, to exhort apple trees to fruit well the following season. Customs and songs differ from place to place. At many events cider is poured onto the roots and shots fired through the branches to ward off evil spirits. Warm [...]
Continue Reading
What is a Wassail?
Posted on March 3, 2009 by Jim C.
Wassailing is so ancient that putting a date on when it began has been lost in time. Wassailing however has given birth to other customs such as carol singing, and wishing others good health when drinking. The main purpose of wassailing is to perform a ceremony to protect the trees from evil and to make [...]






