Wassailing returns to Bridport orchard with a brilliant turn-out

Bridport Community Orchard was full of festivities, music and laughter on Sunday.

There was a great turn-out for the much-loved wassail - a tradition hoped to encourage a good harvest.

Wassailing has been celebrated for centuries and involves singing to trees and scaring away bad spirits in the hop of having a good harvest.

A small fire was lit, Wyld Morris performed a range of dances and Bridport Community Orchard also served up its tasty apple juice.

Captivating story-teller Martin Maudsley entertained the crowd before apples were thrown to choose the wassail king and queen.

It was up to them and other children to bless the apple trees with cider and place cider-soaked bread in its branches, while the evil spirits - also known as the Dorset Ooser - were also scared away with loud noises and shouting.

It was good to have the event back in town!

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