Scaring the spirits away at Stamford wassail - video/photos
Stamford Community Orchard Group hosted the wassailing event in Christ Church Close at sunset on Saturday, 17 January.
The Anglo-Saxon tradition was revived four years ago and typically involves people shouting, chanting and banging around an orchard to “awaken” the trees and scare away evil spirits.
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Hide AdThe chanting was led by Woven Chords Choir and wassail queen Robina Hill poured cider onto the roots of a tree to encourage fruit this year.
Orchard group chairman Annie Hall said: “It was tremendous fun. We had more than 100 people, which was brilliant. We had all sorts of people, young and old.
“We had some people who have been again and again, and some new people who had never been.
“We were thrilled that once again Jollydale Cyder was able to come with mulled cider. And we couldn’t have been luckier with the weather.”
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Hide AdStamford’s wassail has been growing in popularity since the tradition was revived. Annie said she was pleased word was spreading.
“I think people are getting the hand of it,” she added. “They are now getting to know what it’s about.
“There are still people who don’t know but it’s slowly percolating down. Because the orchard has been going for a number of years we have got more people on board.”
The orchard group is currently analysing the results of DNA tests on unknown apple species, and hopes to release some news in the near future.
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Hide AdFind out more about Stamford Community Orchard Group at scog.org.uk.
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