06 Jan 2026
Highfield Park Trust will host their annual Wassailing event from 4.30pm this Saturday.
This is an ancient English folk tradition, usually celebrated around Twelfth Night, in which singing and loud noises are used to prevent mischievous spirits from damaging the apple trees.
The event reflects a general a general revival in the tradition at an increased number of community orchards across the country.
Sarah Graham, chair of the trust’s events committee said: “We have a unique take on this centuries old tradition and it verges more on panto than pagan.”
The event is open to everybody and attendees are encouraged to brings pots, pans, drums and anything else that could raise an almighty din to scare away malevolent forces from Cell Barnes Orchard.
Devotees claim that it is essential to awaken the apple trees from their winter slumber to ensure a good crop of apples the following autumn.
The Wassailers will meet at the Highfield Park Visitor Centre to sing the Wassail Song and appoint the Wassail Queen who soaks pieces of toast with apple juice from the
previous year’s crop. The torchlit Wassail Possession will then slowly march to Cell Barnes Orchard and muster as much noise as they can. Once at the orchard, children will protect the trees by hanging the toast slices in them to attract the good spirits.
Sarah added: “The word ‘Wassail’ is derived from the Old Norse “Ves heill”, from whence came the Old English salutation “Wes Hal”, meaning “Be in good health”. The correct
response is “Drinc hael” – “I drink to your health” and we take the opportunity to do just that with a cup of mulled cider to conclude the eventful evening! As someone once said, it’s brilliant but bonkers.”
