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.