Wassail 2017: Report and Pictures

It’s wassailing time again and last night (Saturday 28th January) apple and cider lovers gathered in the Church Hall for the annual wassail ceremony. Mary Sargeant expertly explained the origins of the wassail, before Dartmoor Border Morris entertained the audience with a couple of dances.

Then torches were lit and the assemblage processed down the lane to the orchard, where flames from an enormous bonfire were leaping into the dark sky, thanks to old Christmas trees donated by villagers. The Tavy Tars sang a couple of wassailing songs before the assemblage banged items to frighten away evil spirits and pieces of toast were hung in the trees.

Everyone returned to the hall for apple juice, hot cider and pasties! There was more dancing, including some members of the audience joining in and a couple more songs from the Tars, before T&TAG Chairman Peter Crozier thanked everyone for coming and those members of the Group who organised and ran the event. Fortunately, the rain held off during the orchard activities, but it had started by the time we left!