West Berks pub wassailers join the big bang to banish evil spirits

A goodly crowd did gather around the gnarled old apple tree in the beer garden at The Bell at Aldworth on Friday night.

They turned out on a distinctly chilly night prepared to make some noise that would purge the evil spirits and to make libations at the traditional annual Wassail, to bless the apple tree and ask for a good harvest.

Kennet Morris kicked off proceedings with a merry dance or two outside the CAMRA award-winning pub as wassailers enjoyed refreshments to warm up their vocal cords for the coming ritual, led by the master of ceremonies the Wassail Butler.

It was he, resplendent in red tailcoat, who carried the offering of a large bowl of cider into the garden and directed the mass singing of Here we come A-wassailing, the Incantations and the Toast - enthusiastically repeated by the crowd: “Stand fast root! Bear well top. Pray God send us a good howling crop. Every twig, apples big. Every bough, apples enow (old-fashioned English for enough)”

All hell was let loose when a clattering din was raised by all to banish the evil spirits and the Black Powder Muzzle Loaders shot deafening volleys through the branches.

The good spirits, now awakened, were to be appeased. A Lady of the Woods drawn from the crowd hung an offering of toast on the apple tree’s ancient branches and the Butler poured the cider libation on its roots before inviting the crowd to follow.

The ceremony completed for another year, all withdrew to the warmth of the pub and some musicmaking in the taproom.

“Till apples come next year, to bloom well and to bear well, so merry let us be.”