The year of fine weather, youthful mummers and swashbuckling sea shanties!

Our fifth annual Wassail was nothing short of spectacular. Doors opened at 5pm and a steady flow of eager wassailers arrived along a lane lit by Swedish candles, guided by a burning beacon at the farm entrance (with thanks to our neighbours at Dorset Waterpark).

Mulled cider flowed freely, alongside our own warming wassail mocktail, quickly thawing hands and hearts alike. The evening opened with Kelp, our local sea shanty group, who were a perfect and much-loved new addition to the line-up. They were followed by our stalwarts, the Purbeck Mummers—a group without whom no wassail would feel complete. This year they were led by David as the Mother, who kindly took the helm from Chris following his retirement. Town Crier Jacquie, dressed in full regalia, announced the traditional mummers’ play and beautifully set the scene.

After the performance, the mummers led us to the orchard to the beat of drums, punctuated by wassail calls and joyful whoops. The blessing was opened by David and then handed to Kate Hartle, our Wassail Queen, who laid toast in the branches and poured cider at the tree’s base to nourish the roots and sustain the orchard for the coming season. This year we felt the absence of the mummers’ lead singer, who sadly passed away earlier in the year. Led by Kate and the mummers, the songs continued nonetheless, with many in the crowd caught up in full wassail fever.

Joe Hartle, our Wassail King, brought the blessing to a close by firing his shotgun, sealing the warding off of evil spirits. He thanked the wassailers and invited everyone back to the barn to enjoy the music of Chris Edward.

The sheep barn—complete with stage, bar and honorary cider pigs—was soon full of merriment as Chris took to the stage. The dancefloor stayed busy, the BBQ was well frequented, and the celebrations carried on into the night.

By 11pm, all was quiet once more, and the farm had returned to normal…