People in and around Bracknell are due to go ‘wassailing’ tomorrow (Saturday 27th January).
Wassailing is an old English custom to celebrate and protect fruit trees and make sure of a good harvest.
A simple revival of this seasonal tradition by firelight, the event will be accompanied by lively music and dancing with the OBJ Morris Dancers.
The event, at Lily Hill Park, is ticket only and is a sell-out.
This Anglo-Saxon celebration, involving music, song and dancing, traditionally took place on Twelfth Night. Nowadays, wassails are hosted between late December and February. The purpose is to encourage the spirits into ensuring a good harvest the following season. The word ‘wassail’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon greeting waes hael, which means ‘good health’.
