Wassailing revival 'links us to our rural roots'

The ancient tradition of wassailing - which involves blessing apple orchards to ensure a good harvest - is enjoying a resurgence according to a folklore group.

Wassailing, which dates to Anglo-Saxon times, traditionally takes place in January.

The ceremonies see cider poured onto the roots of apple trees while toast is placed in their branches as an offering.

"We give thanks to the trees, and say 'wake up, start growing and give us good fruit'," said Bill Taylor, who is leading the third annual wassail at the Folk of Gloucester.

A fire is also lit during the ceremonies to represent the return of the sun after winter, and Morris dancers will often perform.

Wassailing has had a revival in recent years, according to English folklore website Tradfolk.co.

The site's editor James Merryclough said: "What's particularly fascinating is how these events are spreading beyond the traditional cider-making regions.

He has said it "appears to be a popular tradition that increasing numbers are returning to" and is spreading "at quite a pace".

"This year we've listed over 70 public wassails and we're aware of dozens more happening across the country," Mr Merryclough added.

In Gloucester, Mr Taylor has been hosting wassails since the 1990s.

"It's one of those things that grounds us," he said. "For me it's part of my heritage, part of my history.

"It fits with the idea of the harvest home festival, solstice events and May Day dancing round the maypole. It's just part of our rural calendar and something we need to keep."

The word wassail derives from the Old English waes hael, which means "be in good health". The ritual itself pays homage to pagan tree worship.

Mr Taylor believes a chance conversation with a 90-year-old man, who had lived on a farm in Taynton all his life, revealed living evidence in Gloucestershire of the centuries-old custom.

"Michael remembered as a small boy being lifted into a tree by men in the dark of the orchard. He could remember no more, but we felt it was a link to the lost wassailing tradition," said Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor will host the third wassail at the Folk of Gloucester at 10:00 GMT on 18 January.

"The first one in 2023 was a folk family event and we got all our friends and relatives to come," he said.

"The second one was enormous and there were loads of people there I didn't know.

"Hopefully we'll have a crowd again. Put it this way - nobody I asked to help last year has said no this year.".

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