Watch: Wassail event wakes up Telford orchard
Crowds turned out to see an old event brought back to life in a Shropshire town as a group woke an orchard ready for spring.
The Madeley Wassail event was held on Mill Lane in Madeley, Telford, over the weekend bringing back a traditional ceremony used to awaken trees in an orchard and scare away evil spirits in the hope they thrive throughout the year.
And on Saturday (Jan 17) the festivities kicked off with the catching and crowning of the Wassail Queen. She was given a long stick, a bottle of cider and a candle lantern for the procession to follow, while the Ironmen and Severn Gilders danced and sang traditional songs.
The Ironmen are a men's team who dance in the Welsh Border tradition, while The Severn Gilders are a women's team who dance North-West morris.
But the main part of the day was when the newly-crowned Wassail Queen walked round the community orchard, which was lit with candles, tapping each tree with her stick. She called on the trees to wake up for spring, before pouring a bottle of cider over the final tree and its roots.
She then blessed the tree, saying: "Here's to thee, old apple tree, That blooms well, bears well. Hats full, caps full, Three bushel bags full, An' all under one tree. Hurrah! Hurrah!" After the event, the group gathered for a barbecue and hot drinks.
The festivities were organised by Madeley Community Orchard Group with support from Madeley Town Council.
