Record numbers of spectators flocked to watch traditional wassailing ceremonies near Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday night (January 20th).
Cold, but dry weather boosted attendance at the popular event at Rich’s Cider in Watchfield, pictured here.
In line with tradition, a piece of cider-drenched burnt toast was placed in an apple tree by the Wassailing Queen, supposedly to attract robins who symbolise the good spirits of the orchard, and shotguns were fired to ward off bad spirits.
Jan Scott from Rich’s Cider in Watchfield told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We had a record 10th Rich’s Cider wassail yesterday and thank goodness the weather stayed dry.”
“The Skimmity Hitchers returned to play in front of a packed marquee audience, along with Bob Darch music. This year’s charities were Burnham RNLI and The Bristol Kidney Patient Association.”
The wassail is celebrated each year around ‘Old Twelvey Night’ as it would have been before the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752.
Burnham RNLI ran the bar while Bob Nicholson oversaw the orchard ceremony with Evie Collings taking the role of wassail queen.
Burnham Rotary Club were on hand to help marshall and fundraise at the popular event.
