2024 Wassail at Donkey Lane Community Orchard

On Sunday 21^st January, Greening Chinnor & The Mid Shires Orchard Group will be hosting its annual Wassail at Donkey Lane Community Orchard. Bring your noisiest pots and pans to bang to scare away those evil spirits, and join in the merriment as we bless our apple trees for a fruitful harvest in the autumn.

Time

2.00 pm – Start of the Ceremony

The Wassail Ceremony will focus on the special Royal trees, as guardians of all the others. We will:

·       Toast the King and Queen of the Orchard with a loud shout of ‘Wassail, Wassail, Wassail!’

·       Give the Wassail blessing for an abundant harvest from the apple and plum trees

·       Offer a libation of cider, representing a successful harvest, to the roots of the King and Queen

·       Pour cider onto chunks of broken bread, then hang or place these in the tree boughs, as gifts to the robins (it was believed that robins were the corporeal embodiment of apple tree spirits)

·       Dip the branches of the King and Queen of the Orchard into cider and ask blessings on their health

·       Sing the traditional Wassail Songs, accompanied by the Towersey Village Voices choir

·       Make a din to scare off mischievous spirits, by banging drums, blowing horns, beating pots and pans

·       Assembled children (of all ages!) will scatter a festive seed mix, for the wildlife to enjoy

·       Collect cups of cider and apple juice, to prepare a toast to the King and Queen of the Orchard

·       Toast the King and Queen of the Orchard again with a loud shout of ‘Wassail, Wassail, Wassail!’

·       Toast the health of the Wassailers and local community with another ‘Wassail, Wassail, Wassail!’

3.00 pm – Conclusion of the Ceremony

Congregate around the Refreshments Stall to enjoy mulled cider, apple juice and cake

Enjoy a social chat with fellow Wassailers and supporters of Donkey Lane Community Orchard

3.30 pm – Take a tour of the Donkey Lane Community Orchard

·       Take a walk around the Donkey Lane Community Orchard

·       Visit the historic apple and plum trees and learn more about them

·       Discover the site of the old well and the cottages

·       Learn how you can help keep this orchard flourishing, join in working parties and enjoy orchard events

4.00 pm – Conclusion of the Wassail at the Orchard

What to bring and wear

Please dress appropriately for the weather. Layers and sturdy shoes are advisable. Bring pots, pans, drums, shakers, etc.

Accessibility

To find us, head up Keen's Lane, Chinnor, OX39 4PF - cross the railway crossing - the Orchard is directly on the right. Please note that the ground in the Orchard is uneven and likely to be muddy at this time of year it is also particularly wet and muddy in the lane at the Orchard side of the railway crossing.

Entry is FREE with the option of a cash donation. Any voluntary donations go towards our continuing community and conservation work.