Histon & Impington Community Orchard (HICOP) invites the community to join them for their Winter Wassail.
Held each year in January or February since shortly after the orchard was first planted in 2013, the tradition of the Wassail goes back several hundred years. Dan Mace, Chair of HICOP, told HI HUB:
“These days we’re used to Christmas festivities starting early; decorations appear in November or even earlier. But go back a few hundred years and Advent from 1st to 24th December was a time of fasting, which ended with 12 days of feasting from 25th December to 5th January. Nowadays by the time we get to Twelfth Night (5th January), Christmas is a distant memory and we’re back into our routines, but traditionally Twelfth Night was the time to Wassail.
“So what is a Wassail? Well, it’s a time to visit an orchard and sing to the trees to promote a good harvest for the coming year. And there is a tradition to make a noise, a hullaballoo, by banging pots and pans. Of course, cider also plays its part – there is often a toast to the trees and cider is sprinkled over the roots. And where toasts and cider are involved, it’s a time to wish ‘Good Health’ to all participants – in fact Wassail comes from the ancient Norse, ves heill, literally meaning Good Health.
“Bring lanterns and torches to find your way, grab those pots, pans and spoons to bang to make a hullaballoo and wake the trees. Let’s keep the tradition alive this year at the Community Orchard!”
The HICOP Wassail will take place on Saturday 25th February at 5pm at the Community Orchard. Toast masters will make the traditional toast to the trees followed by an opportunity to sing along with The Impingtones in some traditional Wassail songs around the HICOP flaming beacon.
Hot and cold apple juice available. Please take your own mug.
NB: This is an outdoor event and may be postponed in the event of bad weather. In case of change, information will be shared here on HI HUB and also on local social media.