HUNDREDS of revellers descended on Sheppy’s Cider at Bradford-on-Tone to celebrate the ancient tradition of orchard wassailing.

The ritual sees the evil spirits being chased away and the benevolent ones awakened to ensure a plentiful harvest.

The ingredients of a good wassail are noise, fire, guns sounding, hot cider and plenty of people to sing and shout the ancient wassail songs.

Mike Highfield and the Taunton Deane Morrismen, expertly guided revellers through the ancient ceremony.

David and Louisa Sheppy – the sixth generation of Sheppy’s cidermakers in a line that dates back 200 years – welcomed the crowds and crowned their eldest daughter Rosamund Wassail Queen.

The queen’s role is pivotal as she toasts the crowds, waters the tree’s roots, places cider-soaked toast in the apple tree boughs, and leads the crowds in honouring the

trees and ensuring a bountiful orchard.

Nearly 300 people attended the event and with ticket sales supporting St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice, a final donation of £600 was made.