CARHAMPTON Community Orchard hosted a successful Wassail event this month and welcomed the new master of ceremonies, Joseph Mallinson.

The event included the toasting of the Wassail tree to ensure a good harvest and the banging of pots and pans to keep the bad spirits away, all fuelled by mulled cider and hot spiced apple juice for the onlookers.

The area’s longstanding master of ceremonies, Martyn Babb, left for Ireland last year and was recently replaced by Mr Mallinson, who was welcomed by the local orchards at the annual Wassail event.

A specially-convened group of singers sang Martyn’s Ballad of Carhampton Orchard, composed for the group many years ago, as well as the regular Wassail song and a specially-adapted version of another traditional Wassail song. Herbert Vickery, 90, also joined in to sing his rendition of the Tractor Song.

The site of the annual Wassail, Carhampton Community Orchard, was established in 1997 by a steering group and a 25-year lease from the crown. The group has since planted more than 40 trees of mainly local varieties of apple, some pear, plum and a Nottingham Medlar.

For more information about Orchard events, or to join the Orchard Friends email list, contact Elizabeth at [email protected].