The calm starry evening came alive at 6pm as a procession of over 250
people carrying flaming torches wound its way from the Limpsfield British
Legion across the golf course and through the woods into the Orchard. By the light of the enormous bonfire Wassail
Captain Andrew Claringbull addressed the “King” tree with the traditional
wassail verse and offered up a libation of bread, salt and cider so that all
the apple and pear trees might offer us a good harvest in their turn. Shouts of
Huzzar and Waes Hael were
accompanied by a huge crescendo of drums,
whistles, tambourines and rattles from every side, thus driving away the
evil spirits as the wassail bowl of steaming mulled cider was passed around.
This year for the first time the crowd was entertained by the The Chart
Singers, led by Graham Dinnage. Everyone was encouraged to join in with the traditional
Wassail song as well as “The Apple Grove”, the new words specially written for
the Orchard and sung to the familiar tune of “The Ash Grove”. After which most made for the hot mulled
cider, hot dogs and apple cake, enjoying the warmth and glow from the bonfire.
Gradually families started taking sleepy-eyed children home to bed, taking with
them magical memories of an ancient tradition revived.
The wassail address
Stand fast twig, beat well top, God send ye a yowling crop
Every twig Apples big, Every bough Apples enow
Hats full, Caps full, Half bushel bags full
And a little heap under the stairs!
HUZZAR
