Ryton-on-Dunsmore Wassail 2019

Over 70 volunteers and villagers attended this years successful Wassail which took place at the orchard yesterday evening.
Wassailing refers to a traditional ceremony that involves singing and drinking to the health of trees on Twelfth Night in the hope that they might better thrive. The purpose of wassailing is to awaken the apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the Autumn.
Local people brought torches and dressed up in top hats, bowler hats or hats decorated with ivy or mistletoe. Children used saucepan lid’s, spoons, rattles, drums, bells, whistles etc to make loud noises in order to help chase the evil spirits out of the orchard.
Too see a video of the event and many photos, please visit the village Facebook site at www.facebook.com/rytonondunsmore/
To learn about the tradition please visit; www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Wassailing/