VILLAGERS, members of the parish church and the National Trust came together on Saturday in Avebury to celebrate the ancient folk tradition of wassailing the village fruit trees.

This year marks the third anniversary of people gathering in the village in the unique and joyful way to mark the start of the agricultural year and blessing the villages’ orchards and farmers' plough.

Traditionally the wassail was celebrated on twelfth night, dating back to before 1066. There are also many versions of wassailing, however most involve songs, loud noises to scare away any evil spirits and cider to bless the apple trees, ensuring a fruitful harvest.

Gordon Rimes was the master of ceremonies, leading a band of ‘jolly boys’ from orchard to orchard, encouraging everyone to join in. Youngsters also joined in with their pots, pans and biscuit tins and drummers.

The festivities included a stop at the Manor House, where the crowds were greeted with bowls of mulled cider and apple cake.

In the Old Farmyard, the new Avebury wassail bowl, carved from white maple, was passed around while the ‘jolly boys’ performed the ninetieth century Claypole Plough Jags play.

The play was first recorded in the nineteenth century and was later adopted by the Ragged Heroes, the official Lacock Mummers.

In the ceremony, the Reverend Maria Shepherdson also blessed the plough and invited everyone to dress it with greenery and good wishes before being presented to the villages’ local farming community represented by Judy and Tony Farthing and others.

On Sunday, there was also a plough service at James' Church. This ancient festival service is an opportunity for all farmers, gardeners and allotment keepers to bring tools, seeds and bulbs for blessing ready for the spring planting season.

Over the last two years the wassail has raised over £350, which has helped the village orchard group plant and maintain new fruit trees on the Sportsfield and plant new hedges.

Natascha Kenyon, one of the main organisers, said: "So many people put so much time and effort into making this event a success, a huge thank you to you all."