Here We Come A-wassailing Totnes Office
18th January 2018
18th January 2018
Wassailing is an ancient custom that falls into two distinct categories: the New Year
house-visiting wassail and the orchard-visiting wassail.
Tim Jones, Manager of Marchand Petit’s Totnes office explained “In the cider-producing
counties in the South West of England wassailing is a traditional ceremony that
commonly takes place on old twelfth night. The purpose of wassailing is to wake up the
apple trees and scare away evil spirits that might be lurking, to ensure a good harvest of
fruit in the autumn.”
Adding “We are delighted to be one of the main sponsors again for the Stoke Gabriel
Wassail 2018, supporting the Friends of Stoke Gabriel Primary School on 20th January.”
The annual event, resurrected in the village 25 years ago, is organised by FOSS. Last
year hundreds of visitors, locals and children took part in the family event, which
included storytelling, a George and the Dragon play by the Bovey Tracey Mummers,
lantern-making workshops for the youngsters, a barbecue laid on by Scouts and the
wassailing torchlight processions.
Culminating, in the young wassail King and Queen being lifted into the boughs of the
apple trees, to distribute and join in the cider-soaked toast. The evil spirits where
frightened away by loud shots, being fired safely into the air.
For further information please contact Marchand Petit’s Totnes office on 01803 847979
or email: totnes@marchandpetit.co.uk Alternatively visit the website at
www.marchandpetit.co.uk or Stoke Gabriel Wassail Facebook page