The Queen toasted ‘Wassail’ and the crowd shouted their reply: ‘Drink Hael’

NOTHING is quite as intoxicating as a wassail on a dark, cold winter’s night.  The evocative smells of mulled cider, barbecues and paraffin in the chill air invigorate the senses as this ancient ritual of pagan festivity is re-enacted.

The clatter of wood on wood signalled the start of the ceremony at Sheppy’s Cider at Bradford-on-Tone as Taunton Deane Morris Men took centre stage, dancing and creating an atmosphere suited to an ancient festival.

Following the handover of the crown to this year’s Wassail Queen Hannah Schweitzer, a procession of Morris Men and guests, led by flaming torches reached the dark orchard.

Carried on the shoulders of the dancers, the Queen toasted ‘Wassail’ to the biggest, finest old apple tree, and the crowd shouted their reply: ‘Drink Hael’.   

Red hot pokers were plunged into a pail of cider before it was poured around the roots of the tree, bread was doused in cider and hung upon the branches and the chant ‘old apple tree, we wassail thee’ rang in the ears as gun shots were fired over the orchards – all to ward off evil spirits and to ensure the success of the coming harvest.

For more visit www.sheppyscider.com or @sheppyshoc on Facebook.