On Saturday 12th February, the centuries-old wassailing tradition will return to Midsomer Norton. This ceremony involves crowning Wassail Kings and Queens, joining in with a traditional toast and ‘waking up’ the apple trees for the year’s harvest.

Official proceedings will commence at 1 pm in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall with a short introduction from Master of Ceremonies, Colin Emmett. The gathering will be led in procession to the Town Park, and the ceremony will be performed at 1.30 pm in the sensory garden. Participants are encouraged to bring pots, pans, bells and whistles to make a hullabaloo and ward off evil spirits!

From 1-3.30pm, there will be a wassail mini-market in the Town Park, with traditional rural arts and crafts, local produce, felting and weaving demonstrations, ice creams, and a hog roast. Traditional dancing and music will be provided by the Cam Valley Morris Men and the Village Band. The day will begin with a children’s craft workshop in the Town Hall from 10.30 am – book via: midsomernorton communitytrust.co.uk. Run by the Community Trust and the Midsomer Norton Society, the whole event is free and open to everyone.