Whittington and Fisherwick will be celebrating the second year of their community orchard in style with a traditional wassail event and entertainment.
Participants on February 8 will sing songs, beat saucepan lids and pour cider round the roots of the trees as part of the ancient ritual which is believed to go back to Celtic times.
Local folk entertainers Armitage Mummers and Lichfield Morris will lead a procession from the Bell Inn Car Park, Main Street, starting at 4pm and finishing at the Community Orchard where the wassail ceremony will take place and Whittington’s Vicar, Rev’d Fiona Haskett will bless the trees.
After the wassailing the Mummers will perform a short traditional play followed by supper and a children’s disco in the Cricket Pavilion next door to the orchard.
Wassailing is an ancient custom intended to “wake up” the trees at the start of the year, to encourage the sap to start flowing, and to drive away evil spirits thus helping to create a good crop of fruit. The events are being organised by Whittington and Fisherwick Environment Group (WFEG) who have organising the planting of the orchard.
Participants are encouraged to bring toast and ribbon to hang in the trees as well as saucepans and wooden spoons to beat them with to scare away evil spirits. Everyone should wear appropriate footwear and clothing.
Caroline Allen, WFEG Chair, said ‘This is a brilliant fun family event which attracted over 100 people last year.
“We are looking forward to some lovely blossom in Spring and even a few fruits in the Autumn. The village is the home of the famous John Downie crab apple and also an exciting new apple details of which will be announced later in the year.’
On March 16 WFEG is also organising a fruit tree grafting workshop, starting at 2pm in Bit End Pavilion, Vicarage Lane. The workshop is being run by fruit expert Wade Muggleton and will include the cost of two rootstocks which will be provided for grafting on the day. Cost £15 per person, refreshments included. Reservations essential – please contact Mike via mike@wfeg.org.uk or phone 01543 432238.
