image copyright Karen Cater of Hedingham Fair
Wassail – Waes Hael – means “be of good health”. The Olde English tradition of wassailing, dating back to the 1500s, is a ceremony to wake fruit trees from their winter slumber and scare away evil spirits, ensuring a good harvest.
Join us at the Banfield Park Community Orchard Saturday, January 18th at 3:30 pm. This is an outdoor celebration so dress warm ly and bring a lantern or candle in a jar to light the orchard. I f it rains , the activities will move inside the Community Centre.
3:30pm – Crowning the Wassail King and Queen.
4 pm – The Island Thyme Morris Dancers will lead us in the tradition of singing and toasting to the health of the orchard trees. Bring a noise-maker for the ceremony. Hot mulled apple cider (non-alcoholic) will be served for the toast so please bring a mug.
5pm – Soup and bread will be served after the Wassail ceremony.
Volunteers needed , contact Patti banfieldcommunityorchard@gmail.com
Event hosted by the VicWest Food Security Collective, a project of the VWCA.
…cultivating community by growing and sharing food!
