The 5th annual wassail was a true success

The first record of wassailing was in Kent in the 1400s! Wassail is a celebration of the past harvest and the future crop. A blessing of the trees and a scaring off of the evil spirits! 
An opportunity to learn traditional wassail songs and join in the celebration, suitable for all the family.

The torch-led procession started at 6 pm sharp, hosted by the master of ceremony Richard and Sam Nightingale. We walked for 15 minutes into the orchard. It was 0°, but you wouldn't have noticed; everyone was wrapped up for winter with a flaming torch in their hands. We gathered around a collection of unlit bonfires, joined in the wassail songs, and scared off the spirits before placing their torch into the nearest bonfires. After tasting it for himself, Richard shared offerings with the orchard a bottle of Nightingale's Highland Disco Cider. As they lit up, we enjoyed cups of steaming hot Nightingale mulled cider as the fantastic Ashford Folk musicians played and the Woodchurch Morris Men danced under a clear star lite night sky.

A delighted crowd walked back to the farm and into The Watch, the Nightingale Cider Co. taproom, for more drink, music, dancing and hearty food from Jamie and Steph from Vine + Country Win Tours.


www.nightingalecider.com

wassail@nightingalecider.com


You can read Sam's article for RyeZine Issue Five, link below.