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Wassail 2023
January 14, 2023 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
A wassail is a traditional ceremony where a community comes together to ward off spirits and toast to a bumper harvest for the coming year.
The wassail celebration is a favourite event amongst our volunteers. It involves singing and toasting the health of our trees with apple juice and cider and is the perfect way to bring in the new year.
Historically Wassails originated in Anglo-Saxon England and were part of the twelfth night and have roots in pagan customs. The word Wassail comes from the Anglo Saxon phrase ‘waes hael’ which means ‘good health’.
The Newquay Orchard Wassail is usually held around the second week of January, to coincide with the Orchard’s birthday.
We invite you to join us here at Newquay Orchard for our winter wassail on Saturday 14 January at 3pm.
Follow the lights up the Espalier and gather on the community field for fireside storytelling and learn about the history of the wassail before our annual procession to ward off evil spirits with glorious singing and noise making and hanging toast from our Wassail tree.
Join us for warm apple juice, mulled cider and a cider based cocktail available for purchase from our friends at Atlantic Brewery, warming winter soup in our cafe space, baked goods from Kernowfornya, as well as the best of produce from Grown By Newquay Orchard.
This year’s Wassail also marks the Orchard’s 9th birthday and we’ll be joined by members from Orchard Voices, Oll An Gwella and the Raffidy Dumitz Band to help us celebrate.
We’ll also be welcoming special guest and master storyteller Sam Crosby from Recalling Fire, who will captivate us with Cornish lore by the fire following the procession.
Our Wassail will take place in the community field at Newquay Orchard. It’s FREE to join and this event is suitable for Wassailers of all ages. FREE tickets are limited so please sign up now.
Notes:
Parking is at Tretherras Newquay.
Dogs very welcome!
Any adults, children or four legged friends who are sensitive to loud noises please be aware there will be a riotous racket as we scare away any bad spirits. Ear defenders or staying at the back during this part of the Wassail is recommended.
Bring something to help make some noise – be that an instrument or some pots and pans – and get your singing voice ready as we parade through Newquay Orchard.
Sensible footwear is recommended and be sure to wrap up warm – it can get super chilly. We’ll be donning our wassail clothes with green face paint, masks, feathers in hats and warm cosy coats.
In the event of dangerous weather, we will look to move the Wassail to the following day, Sunday 15th January 2023.
