REVELLERS created a mighty din to chase away evil spirits and ensure a good apple harvest when the ancient custom of wassailing was brought to life at The Dolphin in North Street, Wellington.

They used pots and pans, drums and whistles, and shouted to drive away the ‘Maulscrawls’ from the four apple trees in the pub garden, which would otherwise bring disease and pests to afflict the crop.

Then a slice of toast soaked in cider was placed in the tree and a robin was called on to enter its branches. A brown vessel made of oak on a table was then filled with cider and revellers took a small drink using their own glass or cup and spat the liquid on the tree. Amid intermittent shouts of ‘wassail’, they were then invited to tie ribbons on the tree.

The revellers were colourfully dressed for the event held on the last, or 12th day of Christmas, according to the old calendar.

Among them were Mr Double Danger the Second in a top hat with three teasels at the front and ivy wound around it, the Song Keeper in a low top hat and a white-painted face, and a woman with low top hat with six long leaves and feathers attached.

The Mayhem Border Morris dancers and a group of folk musicians performed.

Mr Double Danger the Second nd of Wellington Folk & Custom Society, said: “I would like to give a big thank you to the public for turning out, members of the folk and custom society, Mayhem Border Morris, the Dolphin pub and the traditional folk musicians.”