The Wassail

The local Wassail custom was the first event we revived after the side was re-formed in 1983. That first Herefordshire Wassail of the new era took place in the orchard of Tudor House, Yarpole.
The Wassail begins by gathering at a given watering hole, where safe torches are prepared and distributed, and whence the side leads the large crowd of followers to the orchard. Toast or cake is soaked in cider, then placed in the fork of the tree chosen to represent the orchard. Cider is then sprinkled about the roots of the tree. Next, the Herefordshire Lantern is ignited: this is a beribboned thorn-cage stuffed with straw on a pole. It represents the sun reborn, and shows why this ancient ceremony took place at this time of year. At the midwinter, the coldest & darkest part of the year, people encouraged the return of light & warmth, and by so doing they performed an affirmation of their faith that it would be so. Next, the 13th fire is lit and immediately stamped out; the Fire of Eternal Renewal or the Judas Fire. This is the sign for the simultaneous lighting of the ring of twelve fires, The Wassail Song is sung by Leominster Morris under the branches of the tree and two or three dances danced there too.

Then we all go back in procession to the meeting place where the Mummers Play is
performed. The text for which is taken from several local sources, and enlivened by individual members adding topical references or variations to their parts. More dances follow, then it is in to the bar for music, song, dance and drink!

So far as wassails go, I thought it was great and unlike any other I’ve been to (and I’ve been to a few.)
Firstly, this one was was based around our greatest British institution -the Pub and secondly, it involved a torchlight procession with countless flaming torches held aloft by about 350 people as they processed to the orchard for the ceremony. Really atmospheric…

Cider journalist Bill Bradshaw, 2012

Wassail venues, 1984-

1984, Thompson’s Orchard, Yarpole
1985, Dunkerton’s, Pembridge
1986, Symond’s, Stoke Lacy
1987, Private Orchard, Kimbolton
1988-96, Weston’s Cider, Much Marcle
1997-8, The New Inn, Pembridge
1999, Three Crowns, Ullingswick
2000-1, Riverside Inn, Aymestrey
2002, The New Inn, Pembridge
2003, The White Swan, Eardisland
2004, The New Inn, Pembridge
2005, The Lamb Inn, Stoke Prior
2006-7, The Cross Inn, Eardisland
2008, The Crown Inn, Dilwyn
2009, The Bells, Almeley
2010, The Lamb Inn, Stoke Prior
2011, The Bell Inn, Tillington
2012-3, The Tram Inn, Eardisley
2014, The Sun Inn, Leintwardine
2015, The Nag’s Head, Canon Pyon
2016, The Boot Inn, Orleton
2017, The Tram Inn, Eardisley
2018, The Crown Inn, Dilwyn
2019, The Nag’s Head, Canon Pyon
2020, The Bell Inn, Tillington
2021, No wassail due to Coronavirus pandemic
2022, The White Swan, Eardisland
2023, Burton Court, Eardisland
2024, The Crown Inn, Dilwyn

(photo courtesy of Matt Cardy)