Apple Tree Wassail at the St Ives Orchard 2022

Great turnout at the St Ives Orchard to celebrate the mid winter Wassail.
The Anglo-Saxons left a pagan Winter tradition in Western England where people sing to the apple trees to encourage a good harvest, and this is called Wassailing. Wassail comes from Old English "wes hal" meaning "be healthy". There are many well attested records of the tradition of “wassailing the apple trees” from the 16th century onwards – but this practice is generally agreed to be far older. Each village has its own customs, but singing to the trees, offering them toast and making noise are common to all.