Did you go to Wassail this year? - it was excellent, full of all the old traditions and festivities. Paul estimated that there were about 230 people at the start of the celebrations, significantly more than last year.
The weather was perfect, the dancers Armaleggan were as impressive as ever, the musicians and singers provided the good cheer, our Master of Ceremonies did a splendid job and this year we had two guns to drive away the evil spirits. This year the evil count in the mummers play wore a hard hat and brandished a spade, much to the crowd's delight when he was defeated by the valiant king.
We also had two unusual guests - a mare and a hare; the hare made the fantastic costumes. I'm not sure who they were!
The fireworks were a fantastic end to our wassailing.
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| Our master of ceremonies at the start of the procession |
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| The two guns who will drive away the evil spirits from the orchard |
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| Musicians for good cheer and the Wassail song |
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| The mare and the hare |
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| Armaleggan |
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| Full dressing up |
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| Wake up! Wake up! |
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| All the trees are visited and told to wake up for the new spring |
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| The crowds and the mare |
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| Armaleggan dancers |
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| The mare |
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| and the hare |
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| Fine musicians |
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| Wassailing the village orchard |
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| By torchlight as the day fades |