Taunton was the scene of an ancient rite to welcome the New Year and banish the darkness of winter as a traditional Wassail was held at the Frieze Hill Community Orchard  on Sunday January 16th.

Traditionally held on the old Twelfth Night (January 17th) which was before the Gregorian calendar was adopted

"Wassail" is an olde English word for a toast similar to "Good Health" . In the westcountry the ceremony was used to encourage a good apple season and has been revived in many local orchards over recent years.

Cider is presented, often in a special wassailing cup,to the oldest tree in the orchard,some call it The Apple Man,and toast soaked in cider put in the branches for the robin. A wassailing song is sung by all, then everyone assembled shouts and bangs drums to wake the tree from its winter sleep and banish evil spirits. Some also fire shotguns into the branches.

At Frieze Hill they had a huge bonfire, although the air was unseasonably warm and thankfully the rain stopped in time for the fun.

Cider from Sheppys and Hecks, juice and  homemade apple cake were freely shared and the Bishopswood Mummers provided the traditional tale of St George defeating the Turkish Knight, good versus evil.

There were a few less people than in previous years, put off by the  earlier rain but everyone had a great time, especially the children who enjoyed the wonderful contrast of dark and light, in all its forms.

The Wassail chant;

 Old Apple tree we wassail thee and hoping thou will bear,

hats full ,caps full, three bushel bags full

and a little heap under the stairs.

The community orchard was set up in 2003 by a group of local people on old allotment land conveyed to the council after the first World War by Mr H G Turner ,who was concerned about food shortages.

The land had been unused for some time before the group set up the orchard which is now a designated nature reserve supported by Taunton Deane Borough Council and Natural England.

Over 100 trees have been planted,including some very old varieties of apple, together with other fruit trees.

The area is reached via the footpath from Stapelgrove Road which runs past the allotments and new supporters are always welcome.

Link to photo gallery