Wassailing the apple tree is a custom that is still used, to an extent, in Herefordshire and other parts of the West Country. The word wassail is from the Angol-Saxon word, "wes hal", meaning "be whole". It generally takes place on the Twelfth Night, or sometimes on 17th January, known as the Old Twelfth Night. Farmers and their families would feast on hot cakes and cider, then they would go into the orchard with more 'supplies'. I take this to mean that scrumpy is in full abundance on that night!
A cider-soaked cake is laid in the fork of a tree and then more cider is splashed on it. The menfolk fire their guns into the tree and bang on pots and pans while the rest of the people bow their heads and sing the special `Wassail Song`. This custom is said to ward off bad spirits from the orchard and encourage the good spirits to provide a bountiful crop for the following year. Even if this doesn`t work, it sure sounds like a good night out to me!
It is still customary in many parts of England to hand round the wassail, or health-bowl, on New-Year's Eve. The custom is supposed to be of Saxon origin, and to be derived from one of the observances of the Feast of Yule.
The hunting of the wren was a Celtic custom in the western and southwestern parts of the British Isles. The hunt took place on St Stephen`s Day (Boxing Day). The men and boys of the village would kill a wren, hang it on a pole and carry it in a procession. It was borne to its funeral by the Wren Boys or Droluns. Plus, everyone who gave money was presented with a feather for good luck. What do you reckon that all means?
Every year the Mayor of Glastonbury, Somerset and the vicar from the church of St John the Baptist cuts sprays from the world famous Glastonbury Thorn. This is sent to the Queen for the Royal Table on Christmas Day. It is said that St Joseph of Arimathaea visited Glastonbury soon after Jesus' crucifixion in an attempt to bring Christianity to the locals and while there, founded the abbey. He also took the time to plant his thorn staff, which immediately took root and flowered. The current tree is supposedly a descendant of the original staff.
