What is Wassailing and why will it be celebrated in Sidmouth?

The unusual Anglo-Saxon tradition of Wassailing will be returning to Sidmouth for a second year running.

On Saturday, January 18, Sid Vale Community Productions and Friends Of The Byes are inviting the whole community to take part in a curious tradition dating back to the Dark Ages.

According to Historic-UK.com: "[The] Anglo-Saxon tradition dictated that at the beginning of each year, the lord of the manor would greet the assembled multitude with the toast 'waes hael', meaning "be well" or "be in good health", to which his followers would reply 'drink hael', or "drink well", and so the New Year celebrations would start with a glass or two, or perhaps even a drop more!

"There are two distinct variations of wassailing. One involves groups of merrymakers going from one house to another, wassail bowl in hand, singing traditional songs and generally spreading fun and good wishes. The other form of wassailing is generally practiced in the countryside, particularly in fruit growing regions, where it is the trees that are blessed.

"The wassailing, or blessing of the fruit trees, involves drinking and singing to the health of the trees in the hope that they will provide a bountiful harvest in the autumn.

"This ancient custom is still practised across the country today, and is particularly popular in the cider-producing areas of England, such as Somerset, Devon, Herefordshire, Kent and Sussex.

"The celebrations vary from region to region, but generally involve a wassail King and Queen leading the assembled group of revellers, comprising the farmers, farm workers and general villagers, in a noisy procession from one orchard to the next.

"In each orchard the wassailers gather round the biggest and best tree, and as a gift to the tree spirits, the Queen places a piece of wassail soaked toast into its branches, accompanied by songs."

The event in The Byes, Sidmouth, will take place between 2pm and 3pm on Saturday, January 18, and will involve songs, stories, dancing and play for the all the family, young and old, to enjoy.

Speaking ahead of the event Friends Of The Byes' Kati Fitzhenry said: "Come and join us in the community orchard of The Byes for a traditional celebration of the apple trees for a good harvest. It's FREE and open to all.

"Come in disguise, fancy dress or as you will but please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and keep safe in the orchard.

"Bring something to make noise to scare the bad things away – pots, pans, beaters, whistles, drums, anything you like."

For more information on the event, click the red button below.