Wassailing Wonders: Reviving Winter's Noisy Orchard Party!

Wassailing is an old folk tradition that is making a comeback in many communities, especially after the pandemic. Simon Bailes, a folk musician from Dunton in Bedfordshire, started wassailing to celebrate his cider-making and is now writing a book about the tradition. At his events, Simon dresses in a colorful green and red rag costume, wears a feathered hat, and plays the accordion. He leads groups of people, young and old, in singing and dancing around fruit trees, especially apple trees, in the cold winter night. The goal is to bring people together and encourage a good harvest for the coming year.

Wassailing usually takes place around Twelfth Night in early January. The celebrations include singing, dancing, drinking warm cider or juice, and making lots of noise. People bang saucepan lids, play drums, and sometimes paint their faces green. Morris dancers, dressed in white shirts, black trousers, and bells, perform traditional dances with colorful sticks. After the outdoor festivities, the group often moves to a village hall for more music and fun that lasts into the early hours. Simon's event near Biggleswade has grown to attract about 250 people, showing how popular wassailing has become in the folk and local community.

Other communities are also joining in. In Luton, about 50 people attended the first wassail event last January, led by Konni Deppe, who wore a garland of green leaves and had her face painted. People brought pots and pans to make noise, and children played instruments like the recorder. In Colchester, the Irvine Road Community Orchard hosts a daytime wassail with singing, Morris dancing, and sharing mulled cider and apple juice. The main purpose is to enjoy being together, celebrate the orchard, and hope for a good harvest. People hang toast on the trees, sing traditional songs, and make noise to scare away evil spirits. Simon explains that there are two main types of wassailing: one is similar to trick-or-treating, where people go from house to house singing and asking for treats, and the other is agricultural, focusing on blessing the crops and animals.

Wassailing is not just about old customs; it is also about building community spirit. Many modern wassails include elements from different traditions, and some even have a Christian influence if the local vicar is involved. Simon's research shows that people have always gathered in the middle of winter for some kind of celebration. With the rise of community orchards, more groups are looking for ways to connect and celebrate together. Organizations like the National Trust are also hosting wassail events, where visitors can learn about the tradition, join in the singing and dancing, and even watch a traditional folk play. Wassailing is a joyful way to bring people together, celebrate nature, and look forward to a fruitful year ahead.