The Scotch Patch Wassail
Wassailing is
a traditional Essex (and West Country) rite which is said to ensure a
good crop of apples in the coming year. It involves sampling some
cyder (which we have from Scotch Patch trees), singing a traditional
song and blessing the trees.
Most years we hold
a New Year wassail ceremony at our small orchard at Scotch Patch -
Ellis Green. Unlike Noakes Grove, Walden Countryside does not own the
land, but we
have a management agreement. Also the land adjoins Ellis Green Common,
which has no known owner, but together with our orchard, forms the
Ellis Green Local Wildlife Site.
The Wassail
is a chance to sample our apple juice but the most
important part of the day is the ancient ceremony of blessing the
apple trees: in which the key roles were performed, as tradition
dictates, by the youngest boy and girl present.
At our first wassail Bernie Horton provided
each tree with a slice of toast and Jean Horton poured a libation of
juice onto each tree.. Great wassailing songs were sung, with
David Wrigley in good voice and Jan and Elaine providing the backing
group. Let's hope the trees were pleased and do their stuff next season. |
