Here’s to thee, old apple tree! (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Here’s to thee, old apple tree!

1:00pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Evesham Vale

THERE was music, dancing and, of course, plenty of cider as the Fleece at Bretforton held a wild night of wassailing.

The traditional custom is said to ensure a good harvest of cider apples for the year ahead.

Traditionally held on 12th night, the fleece timed their event according to the old Gregorian calendar, which was running 11 days late when Britain converted to the Julian calendar in 1752.

Wassailing involves hanging pieces of cider-soaked toast on an apple tree as a treat for the guardian of the orchard – which usually appears the following day in the form of a robin.

Generous libations of cider are then poured around the tree’s roots before musket rifles are fired through the branches and buckets beaten to frighten away evil spirits.

After these rituals, the evening on Saturday, January 14, continued with warming refreshments, plenty of cider and live folk music inside the National Trust owned pub.

Sadie Hughes, of the Fleece, said it had been the most successful wassail to date.

“It was the busiest we have ever been and the feedback we’ve received is that everyone had a really good time,” she said. “I think the weather helped a great deal because although it was cold it was really dry and clear.”