News

We had a beautiful misty morning to start the pruning lessons with Tim Walker of Orchard Link, who came and taught us all how to prune the apple trees in Littlehempston’s community orchard. About ten of us arrived equipped with pruning saws, loppers and bow saws ready to learn. Tim told us that only 20% of live wood must be cut (a great relief as there’s lots of trees needing attention!) otherwise, the tree will be encouraged to spurt too much new growth and we’d regret it the next year! We learnt how to cut off dead, damaged and diseased branches and how and where to cut them. Val and John Hoare also put up bird boxes which John had made. After a piece of cake or two, everyone went home better informed, and the trees heaved a sigh of relief!

Many thanks to the pruners, to Anna Ash who wrote this piece and to Jenny Galton Fenzi for the photo.

A new tradition has emerged in Littlehempston, prompted by the community acquision of the cider orchard. On January 20th, around 100 villagers gathered at the church, where merriment was had, eating toffee apples and cake, drinking mulled cider and apple juice, learning Wassailing songs and making lanterns. Then the crowning ceremony took place: the King (pictured here) and Queen draped in beautiful yellow cloaks led a parade with the Green Man through the dark night to the orchard. The procession of people, many colourfully dressed, lit the night with lanterns and banged sticks, pots, drums and blew whistles. Apparently the noise was unbelievable and was probably heard in Totnes.

The weather was dire that day – heavy rain and gales – but then at 4 o’clock it miraculously cleared. The spirit of the orchard must have been with us! Given the level of noise and good cheer, the cider apple crop should be a good one this year!

Wassail is Old English for was hál or be hale. This beverage of hot mulled cider is traditionally drunk as an integral part of wassailing, a Medieval Christmastide English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. The purpose of wassailing is to awake the cider apple trees and to scare away evil spirits by making loud noises to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the Autumn.

The Angel Heart Theatre played to a full house on January 19th in the Community Space with their retelling of the old fairy tale The Boy who Cried Wolf. The backdrop set the scene immediately, haunting, evocative live music supported the plot, as did the simple yet effective lighting and the sheep bells rung by cast and audience. After the show, the delighted audience got to meet the charming puppets and have a go at the various musical instruments used.

Angel Heart Theatre always put on a show that not only entertains but also gives out a message and leaves a good feeling after they have gone. The January children’s show has now established itself in the Littlehempston calendar and no doubt we’ll welcome the theatre back next year.

Many thanks to all who helped stage this event and to Val Hoare who wrote this piece.