THE ANCIENT tradition of Wassailing is coming to Packwood House.
This event, next Saturday, January 20, allows visitors to experience the traditional Anglo-Saxon celebration that generally took place on the original Twelfth Night prior to the Gregorian calendar.
The tradition of Wassailing originally comes from the Anglo-Saxon meaning ‘be in good health’ or ‘be fortunate’.
The celebrations continued throughout the middles ages where Wassailers created a noisy procession from one orchard to the next, gathering around the best and biggest tree offering gifts to the tree spirit of cider and toast while singing and spreading joy.
Between 11am and 1pm visitors will be able to experience this ancient custom first hand with the Packwood House Garden Team.
The team will be hosting a variety of Wassail based workshops everyone can enjoy from creating bird feeders, making musical instruments using recycled materials and creating a woven wood crown to represent the kings and queens of the Wassail.
This will be accompanied by traditional Wassail music with mulled cider and apple juice available to enjoy and bless the tree roots.
Gurminder Kenth from the Packwood House team said: “We are thrilled to be hosting a Wassail event which allows visitors of all ages to come and experience this medieval tradition first hand.
“Exploring history and nature is a critical part of what the National Trust believes in and events like this one allows guests to gather a historic insight in how traditions around nature have evolved over the years.”
Guests will be able to join the team chanting and singing to the biggest and best tree here at Packwood House where visitors can, bless the roots with spiced cider and apple juice and decorate the tree with toast, bells, and ribbons to bring a bountiful harvest during 2024.
Visit tinyurl.com/packwood-house for more information.
