Wassailing is an old custom that takes place on Old Twelfth Night (17 January, pre 1752 and the adoption in Britain of the Gregorian calendar) or thereabouts, to exhort apple trees to fruit well the following season. Customs and songs differ from place to place. At many events cider is poured onto the roots and shots fired through the branches to ward off evil spirits. Warm cider is drunk and toast soaked in cider is placed in the branches for the robin. Wassail songs are sung.
Produced by Enda Murray for Undercurrents alternative news video issue 3 1995
