THE ANNUAL Wassail will take place at Lickey Hills Country Park on Saturday, January 14.
Participants should meet at the Visitor Centre, Warren Lane, around 4.30pm and the event will run until 6.30pm.
Those gathered will then go 300metres to the orchard.
A Wassail and Wassailing is a centuries-old tradition to celebrate orchards and ensure a bountiful harvest for the forthcoming 12 months.
They are held on or around Twelfth Night and involve making noise to ward off evil spirits and to ‘awaken the fruit trees’.
During Wassails an offering is made, such as toast soaked in cider or beer and there will be plenty of singing and merriment.
People are urged to bring along pots and pans to beat to make lots of noise.
The event is suitable for all ages, but it is likely to be cold so people should wrap up warm, including hats and gloves, and wear sensible footwear as some of the ground is uneaven.
There will be spiced apple juice to try but people can bring their own ‘apple-based’ beverages if they want.
During the Wassail, a king and queen are chosen to lead the procession down to the orchard by lantern light, loads of noise is made to scare away the evil spirits, songs are sang and a mummers play is put on and a toast is made to the trees.
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