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Come join the Black Powder Muzzle Loaders to make some noise at CAMRA award-winning pub wassail




IT’s time to turn up in force to rattle, clang, clatter, crash, cheer and generally make some noise in the beer garden at Aldworth’s CAMRA award-winning Bell Inn.

Why? The pub’s much-loved ancient apple tree will then be purged of evil spirits for another year at tonight’s (Friday) wassail.

The age-old annual custom encourages a good crop for the coming year.

The Bell at Aldworth wassail 23 pic: Geoff Fletcher
The Bell at Aldworth wassail 23 pic: Geoff Fletcher

Kennet Morris will lead proceedings, dancing, reciting incantations and singing to the tree with the assembled crowd joining in with traditional songs including Here We Come A-Wassailing.

The Bell wassail pic: Geoff Fletcher
The Bell wassail pic: Geoff Fletcher

We’re a strange bunch us country folk… after the spirits of winter are awakened by the ceremony and evil spirits scared away, the good spirits have to be placated so The Lady of the Woods will hang a slice of toast in the tree by way of an offering. Cider will be poured over its ancient trunk and the Black Powder Muzzle Loaders will fire a volley of shots through the branches.

The Bell wassail pic: Geoff Fletcher
The Bell wassail pic: Geoff Fletcher

After that, the only spirits served by The Bell will be good.

Proceedings begin at 7pm.



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