Apple Tree, Apple Tree, I Wassail Thee!

Last night, the entire Sorley contingent and a few special friends left the comfort of their firesides and went out wassailing.  This is an ancient custom in these parts whereby any evil spirits are driven out of the orchard and the apple trees are exhorted to fruit well in the coming season.  The general idea is that a procession of people carrying lanterns goes down to the orchard and generally makes a lot of noise and kerfuffle .  Some cider is then ceremoniously poured on the roots of the trees and toast soaked in cider is placed in the branches for the benefit of the robins.  Meanwhile, more cider (this time, it is mulled cider) is poured down the throats of the reluctant wassailers.

I am not sure what tradition then demands but, last night, everyone came back to the Brewery for a sausage supper and the consumption of yet more cider.  If you are getting the idea that the whole thing is just an excuse for a party in the middle of January - let me tell you it is a very serious business, indeed.  I am a bit concerned, though, that the whole thing is just a bit too close to Morris dancing for comfort!

The scholars among you might be interested to know that the word wassail derives from Olde English words waes hael meaning "be healthy" or "be whole" and it probably relates to the modern English term "hale and hearty".

Wassail!