Tech-Weary Brits Revive Ancient Apple Tree Wassailing Tradition

Tech-Weary Brits Revive Ancient Apple Tree Wassailing Tradition

In an era dominated by online interactions, a centuries-old tradition is experiencing a remarkable resurgence wassailing. This ancient custom, which involves singing, dancing, and drinking to ensure a bountiful harvest, has been revived by tech-weary Brits seeking a deeper connection with nature and their communities.

A Celebration of Life, Nature, and Community

In Chepstow, Wales, hundreds gathered in an orchard by the castle to wish good health to the apple trees. The event kicked off with the cry Wassail! followed by the distribution of mulled cider and the introduction of a dozen hobby horses adorned with ribbons and shiny baubles glinting in their eye sockets.

According to Richard Worrin, an amateur folk dancer who helped organize the event, wassailing is a celebration of life, nature, and community. It's about getting together, having fun, and connecting with each other, he said. With its Pagan roots, this tradition has evolved into a unique blend of music, dance, and merriment.

Collective Heritage

Traditionally held on Twelfth Night, the Christian festival marking the end of the 12 days of Christmas, wassailing is intended to ward off bad spirits from orchards. The event has been in decline for many decades but has seen a remarkable revival in recent years, especially among people tired of living their lives online.

Kerry Milburn, an IT analyst from Swansea, Wales, attributed the resurgence to a desire for a deeper connection with nature and our collective heritage. We're missing the connection to our ancestry and the land itself, she said. Radiographer Catherine Perry from Glastonbury in southwestern England also put it down to people craving a deeper connection with nature.

A Modern Twist

The revival of wassailing has seen the event gain popularity even in urban areas with no history of cider making. Eight wassails were held across London in January and February this year, including one in eastern Hackney's small community orchard overlooked by factories and a hulking electricity pylon.

Co-organizer Annie Moreton noted that younger people are particularly drawn to the event, seeking ways to connect with green spaces and wellbeing beyond online platforms. Marine biologist Cordelia Roberts, 29, praised wassailing for its nurturing of the Earth and the cycle of life aspect.

A Day-Long Family-Friendly Event

Chepstow's wassail has grown from small beginnings in 2010 to a day-long family-friendly event featuring dancing by three different sides or teams of Morris dancers. The Welsh wassailing ritual, Mari Lwyd, also makes an appearance, involving hobby horses and traditional folk music.

Dan de la Bedoyere, an IT worker from Glastonbury, was thrilled to see pagan traditions like wassailing re-establish themselves. The wonderful thing about folk traditions is that they are such fun, he said.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, it's heartening to see tech-weary Brits reviving ancient traditions like wassailing. This celebration of life, nature, and community offers a refreshing alternative to our screen-dominated lives.

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