THE Wellington Folk & Custom Society is set to host its annual Wassail. 

Those who would like to take part should attend The Cottage Inn, at 31 Champford Lane in Wellington, on the 14 of January at 7.30 pm. From there, the Wassailers will be heading to bless the apple trees, as is the historic custom.

Participants are positively encouraged to bring along their pots, pans whistles and drums to scare off the Maulscrawl spirits from spoiling the harvest. The ceremony will feature the Wassail singers of 2023, the song-keeper, a master of ceremonies, a wise maiden, Modred the dragon, BootStrap Border Morris Team, the Wellington session Traditional Folk Musicians, and Mr Double Danger the 2nd.

The tradition of Wassailing has its roots in medieval England. The word Wassailing derives from the Anglo Saxon Waes Haeil, meaning salutations or good health. The first recorded instance of these incantations was in Fordwich, Kent, in the year 1585. Young men would perform the rites about the harvest for a reward. libations of cider would be poured upon the ground and drums beat to ward off evil spirits. 

Today the ancient tradition lives on thanks to organisations like the Wellington Folk & Custom Society and others who carry the torch of Wassailing into the present.