THE Wellington Folk and Custom Society is inviting residents to join them for a merry Wassail for 2025.

Deriving its name from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Waes Haeil’, meaning salutation or good health, this year’s Wellington Wassail will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday, January 18, at The Cottage Inn at 31 Champford Lane.

Participants will have the chance to join in blessing the apple trees and bringing their pots, pans, drums and whistles to join in a lively effort to scare off any ‘Maulscrawl’ spirits, ensuring a good crop for the year ahead.

Mr Double Danger the 2nd holds the Wassail bowl
Mr Double Danger the 2nd holds the Wassail bowl (Photo: The Wellington Folk & Custom Society)
The Wassail singers
The Wassail singers (Photo: The Wellington Folk & Custom Society )

Wassail singers will join the gathering alongside the song-keeper, mistress and master of ceremony, wise-maiden, piper and drummer, Modred the dragon, the BootStrap Border Morris Team, The Wellington Traditional Folk Musicians, and Mr Double Danger the Second.

The gathering will begin at the Cottage Inn, then travel to bless the apple trees, before returning for further celebrations with Bootstrap Border Morris team, their dancers and musicians.

The group will then continue into the night with traditional folk music tunes and songs in the pub.

To find out more about Wellington Folk and Custom Society and upcoming events, email [email protected]