The annual wassail was held this evening in the church hall and the orchard and for once the weather was kind. It was dry and mild, but even so, the bonfire in the orchard was very welcome! The celebration started in the hall, with Clive Charlton explaining the origins of wassailing, how it was to drive away evil spirits and ensure a good crop of apples in the coming year.
  The Dartmoor Border Morris Men performed a couple of dances in a very confined space. They performed extremely well in, what for them, was a very small area; they appear at the Wassail for free and we thank them for that. After their second dance it was time to 'process' to the orchard for the main part of the ceremony. Carol Horner led the procession with her concertina and soon everyone was in the orchard, suitably prepared by Richard and Tim Peden.
The Tavy Tars led everyone in singing suitable wassailing songs, before everyone made a loud noise with trays, dustbin lids and even a shotgun to frighten away evil spirits. Brian Lamb, Chair of the Tavy & Tamar Apple Group, anointed an apple tree with cider before people were invited to hang toast soaked in cider in the trees.
Returning to the hall, it was time for hot cider, apple juice and a pasty (or two!), while the Tavy Tars sang a couple of songs. Finally, Dartmoor Border Morris took to the floor again and invited several villagers to join them!
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| Preparing the hot cider. |
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| Robin Musgrave joins the Morris. |
Thanks go to all those people who took part and in particular to the Peden family, who did most of the organising, and Margaret Willmott for selling the tickets.
Proceeds from the evening went to Devon Air Ambulance (see separate story).
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