Wassails and winter warmers to enjoy in January

In January it can take an extra kick of motivation to get outside, but in the west country tradition provides the perfect opportunity.

‘Wassailing’, the ancient custom of gathering in orchards to encourage a good harvest by singing to the trees, traditionally takes place on twelfth night, January 5 or 6.

It is particularly prevalent in cider-making counties, and in Bristol a number of wassails take place in community orchards across the city.

Here’s a selection of wassails and other winter warmers to inspire a visit out into nature this January.

Bristol’s wassail events include live music, singing, morris dancing and plenty of hot mulled cider – photo: Patchwork Community Garden

Vision mapping at Bridge Farm, January 6, 10am – 1pm

While not technically a wassail, this ‘creative twist on new year’s resolution making’ takes place on twelfth night and will embrace nature connection to hail in the new year.

It’s part of the ‘Creativity for the Soul’ workshop series which aims to connect people more deeply to their environment, the natural word, themselves and their creativity.

More information at https://one-story.co.uk/product/visionmapping2024/

The Apple Tree Lady pours cider around the old apple tree at HOCO Wassail 2023 – photo: Jamie Carstairs

Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO), Saturday January 20, 2-4pm

The invitation to wake up the apple trees at the 25 years old community project includes a performance by Pigsty Morris, and mulled juice and homemade cakes on sale.

“The dark days of midwinter can lead us to wonder – will life return to bless us with a new year and another harvest?” says Shannon Smith, aka the Apple Tree Lady. “The tradition of Wassail arises from this ancient fear and echoes present-day uncertainties.

“The future of orchards is also uncertain. Commercial orchards are being grubbed up because they aren’t profitable enough. Extreme weather events such as drought, intense temperatures and storms are stressful for fruit trees.

“At HOCO we are nourishing the resilience needed to meet the challenges of fruit growing now, and for the future. The orchard connects nature and culture. It has supplied hundreds of HOCO members with local fruit raised in a nature-friendly environment and with zero food miles.”

People gather to celebrate and wassail the trees at Redcatch Community Garden in BS4 every January – photo: Redcatch Community Garden

Redcatch Community Garden, Sunday January 14, 12.30-4pm

The wassail event features Heartwood chorus and activities include a crown-making workshop using natural elements such as twigs, leaves and seasonal foliage, and a singing workshop led by Heartwood Chorus, a chance to learn the Apple Wassail song to sing in the ritual during which cider will be poured on the roots of trees and participants bang pots and pans to ward off evil spirits.

Brigstowe Village Band will play a programme of tunes, and there will be mulled juice, cider and hot food available.

The Garden encourage everyone to get stuck in, saying: “This is a folk tradition, not a polished thing… Though there are no rules, some folk like to dress in bright colours when wassailing. We hope that the apple trees we bless will grow into mature trees and bear fruit for the community for many years to come!”

Bristol’s Socialist Choir were on hand to help with the singing at last year’s Patchwork Community wassail – photo: Patchwork Community Gardeners

Bedminster Patchwork Community Gardeners, Saturday January 13, 2-4pm

The group’s annual event will take place at the Myrtle Street orchard, behind Tesco on Bedminster’s North Street. There will be music from the Red Notes choir and folk singer Guy Malkerson, poetry from Roy Gallop, and mulled cider and cake available.

“Join the group to welcome in the new year and wake up the fruit trees!”

For more information contact bemmiepatchwork@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/bedminsterpatchwork

Wassails are a great excuse to get out into nature at the start of the year – photo@ Woodcroft Community Orchard

Woodcroft Community Orchard (WCO), Sunday January 21, 3pm – dark

Gather at the orchard, off Birchwood Road in BS4, to sing traditional songs with live music, bless the trees and enjoy some morris dancing.

There will be mulled juice made with apples from the orchard as well as cider and cakes.

Everyone is welcome, though the orchard asks that dogs are left at home.

For more information and to let the orchard know you’re coming, visit: https://facebook.com/events/s/community-wassail/1094543408582052/

This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.

Main photo: Woodcroft Community Orchard

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