The popular Wassail celebrations return to Bridport Community Orchard this weekend.

The annual ceremony will be led by Martin Maudsley, supported by Wyld Morris and others on Sunday, January 16 from 2pm.

Come along and join in the Wassail anthems, bring something to make some noise and frighten away the orchard demons, watch the crowning of the Wassail king and queen and join in with the blessing of the trees with bread and cider.

You can also enjoy some warm Bridport Community Orchard Group apple juice and Dorset Nectar cider.

Wassailing is a tradition that has been celebrated in Britain for centuries. It has pagan roots and involves visiting orchards to sing to the tree and scare away spirits in the hope of having a good harvest.

Before the Wassail on Sunday, the first work session of the year will take place at the orchard in the morning.

Jobs include hedge cutting, repairing the gate to the bee enclosure, cutting back the area around the bug hotel, tidy and define the edge of the pond, tidy tree circles and apply mulch, a general tidy up and prepare for the Wassail.

Please do bring your own secateurs and loppers if you have them.

There will be two start times, 9am and 10am, with a break for a hot drink later in the morning.

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