PORLOCK residents and visitors were out in force last Wednesday (January 6) to take part in a traditional wassail, with over 100 people joining the procession from orchard to orchard.

Wassailing goes back more than 600 years, originally as a means of passing on good wishes among family and friends but more often now a means of celebrating the apple harvest and blessing the fruit trees for the year to come.

Last week’s proceedings began at the Visitor Centre with mulled cider from Porlock Apple Press Group, and homemade apple cake.

Led by singer songwriter Martyn Babb, the crowd gathered round the chosen apple tree, sang a traditional wassail song and made a tremendous racket with all sorts of pots, pans and rattles.

Their purpose was to raise the sleeping Tree Spirit and scare off evil spirits to keep the trees safe until the apples appear.

Wassailing queen Chris de Vere Hunt poured cider round the tree and placed pieces of toast soaked in cider in its branches to help bring a good harvest this year.

The procession then made its way to Porlock’s Community Orchard and mulled apple juice pressed apples from the orchard, which was lit and had a roaring bonfire.

The final destination was Dovery Manor Museum where the trees are much younger than in the other two orchards but still need protecting from marauding evil spirits!

The ceremonial pouring of cider around the roots was carried out by two very young members of the crowd, giving hope that the traditions are safe for years to come.

The final part of the evening was a traditional mummers’ play performed in the museum’s Solar by members of the Museum Players. The audience then warmed themselves in the Great Hall with mulled cider from the Apple Press Group, and nibbles provided by museum volunteers.

The organisers would liked to thank everyone who took part and made the evening possible.

Photos: George Ody