15 Jan 2026
The sounds of horn blowing, banging pots and pans, musical instruments and a general hullabaloo could be heard resonating from Highfield Park as the sun set on Saturday evening, part of an ancient folk ceremony to ensure a good crop of apples at Cell Barnes Orchard.
Faithfuls gathered from across the Shire to Wassail the apple trees, drive away any mischievous spirits and ensure a good harvest in the autumn.
Wassailing is an ancient English folk tradition with pagan heritage which takes its name from the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘Waes Hael!” or “good health”. The Highfield version brings the event bang up to date, although participants are still expected to sing and make loud noises as part of the festivities.
Trustee Sarah Graham, who narrated the event and is chair of the trust’s events committee, said: “We changed the format slightly this year to reflect the current interest in ‘The Traitors’ TV programme, which seemed to go down very well. Our Wassail is a very tongue- in-cheek adaptation of the traditional English version.
“It’s about having a bit of fun on an otherwise cold January day and it was great to welcome people from slightly further afield – one group coming from Hitchin! As always, organisers Lee and Mark did a fantastic job in preparing for the event. The path was lit by burning torches to guide the procession to the orchard and makes the whole event rather magical.”
One rather bewildered attendee was heard to say: “Only in England. This could only occur in England. Nobody else in the world is mad enough.”
The Trust will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year and plans are now being made to mark the occasion with a series of new events. Further details will follow.
