THE wassail celebration in Sandford was revived in 2011 by Barny Butterfield, in conjunction with local orchard owners.

This year’s Sandford Wassail will take place on Saturday, January 13, from 6.30pm to 8pm.

It involves fire, shouting, music, cider, toast, a procession, pitchforks and bashing pots and pans - all part of the ceremony to awaken the cider apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest.

It is a pagan tradition dating back to medieval times and the word wassail comes from the Viking term “waes hail” for “good health”.

Everyone is invited to meet in Sandford Square from 6.30pm to await the arrival of a torch-lit procession of those taking part.

In the Square there will be the choosing of a Wassail King or Queen.

There will then be a procession to Sandford Millennium Green for the ceremony to bless the trees.

It will include the song to thank the trees for their crop and fire and noise to scare away the evil spirits.

Local people bash pots and pans, shout, whistle and bang drums for the noisy part of the proceedings.

All are invited to take along pots and pans, drums, etc for the noisy part, some take along toast to put in the trees, wellies to wear, a lantern or torch to light the way and some money to donate to Sandford Scouts or make a purchase.

Roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate will be available to purchase courtesy of Sandford Scouts.

Alan Quick