Local resident Ian Davis writes about this weekend’s wassailing ceremony, which took place on Saturday 11 January 2020.
In the ancient custom of orchard, wassail involves visiting orchards in cider producing regions of England, reciting incantations and singing to the trees to promote a good harvest for the coming year. Oxhey Village’s very own version of this took place on an enjoyably rain-free and not too cold night at the community orchard in the allotments.
There is something magical about watching the Christmas trees go on the bonfire, listening to the crackle and smelling the resin in the air, all fuelled by cups of warm mulled cider. Children love the wassail too as the path leading to the bonfire is lit by all kinds of lamps. The band played, rhymes were sung, the apple trees woken for the new year and evil spirits scared away for the forthcoming year – you can’t beat a good pagan festival!
Ian Davis
Thank you to Dylan Note for the Oxhey Village wassailing photos.
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