Wassailing – January 2022

Traditionally on Twelfth Night or thereabouts men would go with their wassail bowl into the orchard and go about the trees. Slices of bread or toast were laid at the roots and sometimes tied to branches. Cider was also poured over the tree roots. The ceremony is said to “bless” the trees to produce a good crop in the forthcoming season.

Bromley Heath Cider Consortium members and Mary Lewis Chair of Friends of Leap Valley celebrating the ancient rites of Wassailing in the Community Orchard