The Dunster and Carhampton Wassail has reported a successful outing on January 17. 

The participants, known as wassailers, went wassailing on Tuesday night. 

The ancient tradition derives its name from an Anglo Saxon salutation meaning “good health.” 

For centuries wassailers have descended upon apple orchards to bless the trees and scare off evil spirits known as Maulscrawls. From the orchard the wassailers perform a number of rituals.

These range from pouring libations of cider upon the trees, to banging pots and drums to ward off Maulscrawls. 

The Wassail of January 17 took a more ballistic approach, as they fired shotguns into the apple trees. 

Cider soaked toast was then hung upon the branches to encourage more benign spirits to visit the orchard. Attendees also heard a history of the tradition, and some music, delivered by folk singer Martyn Babb and friends. 

Traditional cider maker and folk lore enthusiast Roland Husebo said: “This is the first time for many years the traditional wassail has been celebrated in Carhampton's centuries-old apple orchard and our pub which has a new landlord."

The occasion attracted over 50 visitors, many of whom went on to the Butcher’s Arms to hear local bards singing ancient Wassail songs. 

See more pictures from the events in this week's West Somerset Press