THE Weylands community orchard will once again host its annual Wassail, marking the fourth year of the event and offering a mix of traditional ceremony and community activities.

From 1.30pm onwards on Sunday, February 8, a ‘village green’ event will offer family-friendly craft activities, making willow crowns and wassail sticks.

Hot mulled cider and apple juice will be available, and the wassail ceremony will begin at 2.30pm, led by Annabelle Macfadyen and Simon Blakeman. Attendees will be invited to take part in the traditional ceremony before the event concludes with a musical performance by the Frome Street Bandits at 3.30pm.

Entry to the wassail is free, with donations welcomed in support of the community groups providing activities. Refreshments will be available throughout the event, and cider and toast will be provided as part of the ceremony. Attendees are encouraged to bring pots, pans or spoons to take part in the traditional noise-making.

The word ‘wassail’ comes from Old English, meaning ‘be well’, and the tradition is intended to bring communities together during the coldest and darkest part of the year. Wassailing can be traced back to at least the twelfth century, with orchard wassails such as the one at Weylands appearing in historical records from the 1500s.

The tree planting at Weylands was designed and organised by Charly Le Marchant and Pavla of Hejgro, with planting carried out alongside FROGs, Shared Earth, FTC and local community volunteers. The design includes a woodland edge of elder, hazel, holly, wild cherry, guelder rose and spindle, alongside a nut and seed orchard containing walnuts, mulberries, cherries, apples, pears and plums, among other species.

Find the wassail location via What 3 Words at w3w.co/drives.half.pose or Google Maps at maps.app.goo.gl/U6EmVVv3hxQZ5Lf47