Fruit growing communities across the land are getting ready for their annual Wassail. In Ealing both Horsenden Hill and Gunnersbury Museum are blessing their fruit trees with Wassailing celebrations.
Wassail or Waes Hael means good health in old English and the tradition goes back to Saxon times and involves blessing the fruit trees to ensure a good harvest. The purpose is to encourage the spirits into ensuring a good harvest the following season. Find out more Wassailing History: ritual and revelry from the National Trust.
Horsenden Hill goes Wassailing
Horsenden Wassail is on Saturday 25 January and the procession starts at about 2pm.
Thanks to Mala Patel, Nigel Bewley and Dave Fineberg for these photos from previous years Wassail at Horsenden.
The Wassail ceremony welcomes in the good spirits and scares away the not-so-good spirits to keep the trees in good health throughout the year. Cider is poured over the chosen Wassail Tree’s roots to wish good health. Cider-soaked toast is hung in the branches to attract robins, which in folk lore are the good spirits.
Meanwhile, the evil spirits are scared away by the Wassailers making as much noise as they can – cheering, playing musical instruments or simply bashing a pan with a stick.
This year marks the 7th Horsenden Wassail and their Wassail King and Queen welcomes you to come along and watch the colourful procession and ceremony.
Horsenden Loaf, Perivale Brewery and Friends of Horsenden will be serving refreshments. There will also be entertainment with our Wassail Minstrels and Northfields Morris in the Courtyard after the ceremony.
Gunnersbury goes wassailing
On Saturday 1st January 2025 celebrate the ancient tradition of ‘Wassailing’ in Gunnersbury’s very own orchard.
There will be hot drinks, apple cake and storytelling before they wake up the magical spirits of the fruit trees and wish for a good year to come.
Read more about 2023 Gunnersbury event from Plant-Lore Apple wassailing, Gunnersbury Park
This event is open for all the family and £8 per person. Warm clothing necessary and wear something green if you wish.
Dates: Saturday, 1 February 2025
Times: 2.30 – 4pm
Price: £8
Location: Gunnersbury Park Museum
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