AN ANCIENT tradition to bless the apple orchard returns to the Fleece Inn at Bretforton this Saturday (January 11) with the annual Wassail.
This Anglo-Saxon celebration involving music, song, dancing and noise takes place to ensure a bountiful harvest of fruit come summer time, and plentiful supply of cider thereafter.
From dusk the courtyard at the National Trust-owned inn will come alive with the colourful sight and sound of Morris dancing as a number of sides from across the region entertain visitors with their rhythmic stepping and handkerchief waving.
At 7pm a druid will lead the revellers in a procession down to the apple orchard to gather around the oldest tree. Pieces of toast are hung on its branches for the robins, special songs are sung and cider is poured around its roots as a libation.
Finally, pots and pans are enthusiastically banged to ward off any evil spirits that might be lurking around.
The evening finishes off with an impromptu folk music session in the barn.
The event starts at 5.30pm and is free to attend. Warm clothes and sturdy footwear are advised as this is an outdoor event. See thefleeceinn.co.uk/whats-on for details.
