HUNDREDS of people sang, danced, and drank hot cider to help protect this year’s apple harvest at Sheppy’s Cider Farm during a fun-filled evening on Friday (January 31).

They were helping to keep alive the ancient wassailing tradition, which is believed to wake up the apple trees and drive away bad spirits to ensure plenty of fruit for cider making.

Taunton Deane Morris dancers performed during the annual Sheppy's wassail. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.David and Louisa Sheppy hosted this year's wassail ceremony. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Crowds of people attended the annual Sheppy's wassail. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Nick Lee-Clarke resplendent in his wassail hat. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Singing traditional wassail songs in the orchards of Sheppy's Cider for this year's wassail. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Taunton Deane Morris leader Mike Highfield introduces new wassail queen Em Sibley watched by outgoing queen Emma Sleigh. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Preparing to place toast soaked in mulled cider in the branches of Sheppy's apple trees. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.New Sheppy's wassail queen Em Sibley with huge jug of mulled cider. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Sheppy's annual wassail saw dancing by Taunton Deane Morris. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Outgoing Sheppy's wassail queen Emma Sleigh (left) with new queen Em Sibley. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Tasty food was available for the hundreds who turned up to watch the annual Sheppy's wassail ceremony. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.The wassail procession begins at Sheppy's Cider. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Cider boss David Sheppy works a bonfire to keep the crowds warm at this year's Sheppy's wassail. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.Music was provided for Sheppy's wassail by Taunton Deane Morris, who are celebrating their half-century. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Taunton Deane Morris dancers performed during the annual Sheppy's wassail. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

David and Louisa Sheppy hosted this year's wassail ceremony. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Crowds of people attended the annual Sheppy's wassail. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Nick Lee-Clarke resplendent in his wassail hat. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Singing traditional wassail songs in the orchards of Sheppy's Cider for this year's wassail. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Taunton Deane Morris leader Mike Highfield introduces new wassail queen Em Sibley watched by outgoing queen Emma Sleigh. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Preparing to place toast soaked in mulled cider in the branches of Sheppy's apple trees. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

New Sheppy's wassail queen Em Sibley with huge jug of mulled cider. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Sheppy's annual wassail saw dancing by Taunton Deane Morris. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Outgoing Sheppy's wassail queen Emma Sleigh (left) with new queen Em Sibley. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Tasty food was available for the hundreds who turned up to watch the annual Sheppy's wassail ceremony. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

The wassail procession begins at Sheppy's Cider. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Cider boss David Sheppy works a bonfire to keep the crowds warm at this year's Sheppy's wassail. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Music was provided for Sheppy's wassail by Taunton Deane Morris, who are celebrating their half-century. PHOTO: Alain Lockyer.

Sheppy’s, an award-winning family-run firm, hosted the event at its orchard and House of Cider on the A38 between Wellington and Bradford-on-Tone.

The annual ceremony was led by new wassail queen Em Sibley, who took over from the outgoing Emma Sleigh, as crowds gathered around a huge bonfire while toast dipped in mulled cider was placed in branches of the trees and shotguns fired.

The evening included performances by the Taunton Deane Morris dancers, who are celebrating their 50th year, led by Mike Highfield, with more music and dancing by the Fresh Aire folk band.

Sheppy’s has been making cider for more than 200 years and has been in its current home since 1917, and is run today by a sixth generation of the family, David Sheppy.

Its cider is matured in oak vats, some of which have been in the family for nearly 100 years.