Wassail the Orchards

Wassail, meaning ‘Good Health’, is a traditional celebration of Orchards.

It is held on twelfth night, which in the modern calendar is 5th January, but in the old calendar was 17th January.

Wassailers wear crowns made from evergreen foliage, usually Ivy.

They parade through the orchards, singing and making a noise with drums, to frighten off any evil spirits who may be hiding among the branches.

Toast is hung in the trees to encourage birds to come to eat bugs and insects that might harm the young fruits from forming properly.

Wassail punch is drunk to toast the orchards and is generally shared with the strongest tree in the orchard to encourage strong growth for all the trees.

You will have a chance to weave an Ivy crown and to parade through the orchards, beating a drum, perhaps singing a song, and then hang some toast in the trees and join in the Wassail toast, with some tasty warm Wassail Punch (non-alcoholic)

OTHER INFORMATION

if you wish to bring additional refreshments we ask that you respect our vegan values and only bring plant based foods and drinks.

We also request that you do not bring single use plastic bottles as we have signed the Dopper Pledge to not have these on site.

HOW TO FIND US – IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE

Access to the farm by vehicle is via Truro Avenue, Murton, SR7 9LG.

(this is NOT the farm postcode, which, in many satellite navigation systems, provides the wrong directions).

On foot or bicycle, the farm can be accessed by various surrounding footpaths from Murton, Seaton, or Dalton le Dale.

Number 61 bus stops in Truro Avenue, near the start of the farm lane, which is located between numbers 42 and 43 Truro Avenue.

There is free parking in the farmyard.

There is a compost loo and outdoor urinals.

Hand washing is available.

There is a small shop where you can purchase our products.