Wassail! Join in toast to apple crop success
Wassail! Wassail! The cry might have been familiar in pagan Britain but finding a wassail event today outside of the West Country is very difficult.
But village of Kenninghall is keeping the tradition alive and tomorrow it hosts its fourth wassail.
It is organised by volunteer group Kenninghall Lands Trust, which has set up and managed about 17 acres of woodland since the Millennium.
The trust is inviting visitors to walk to the wood and sing and drink to the health of the apple trees in the hope of a good autumn crop.
It was supposed to be held in January, as per the tradition, but was postponed due to poor weather.
This event coincides with the spring equinox and the 10th anniversary of the wood.
Lands Trust chairman Christopher Grey-Wilson said: "There will be a nice bonfire, mulled cider as well as soft drinks for children.
"The children from the village primary school have been making a dragon for the event and there will be the usual blessing of trees in the orchard and making of offerings."
The trust also hosts other events, including a midsummer gathering, which Dr Grey-Wilson said is an important aspect of managing the woodland.
"Wassailing and the other events we host are one of the things the trust agrees we felt we should be doing," he said.
"These events get people interested in the wood. It is hard work doing woodland management and occasionally you need to let your hair down."
Visitors will be encouraged to sing songs with support from Hoxon Hundred.
The Kenninghall Morris will be dancing, while the master of ceremonies, The Lord of Misrule, will judge the best spring-themed hat in an adult and junior category.
The event begins at 4.30pm at Kenninghall Wood.
To get to the wood, find the Red Lion pub in East Church Street. Walk down the lane to the side of the pub and turn left into the wood.
It is scheduled to last for about an hour, depending on the weather and temperature. Wellies are recommended.
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Weather for Diss
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
