Wassailing fun in Shaftesbury
News story by Joe Hashman – January 2026
Free warm mulled cider*, live music and a hot open fire is on offer to everyone this Sunday 11th January down at the Donkey Field Community Orchard in Enmore Green, where the annual Wassail takes place between 3pm and 5pm. Please come. Bring your friends. All are welcome.
Wassail derives from the Anglo-Saxon ‘waes-haeil’ which literally means “to be healthy”. It was an important part of annual orchard management in days of olde, to encourage a generous crop. The last few decades have seen a revival. We’ve been part of that.
We’ll fortify ourselves from the pop-up bar while local folk ensemble Tattie Bogle entertain with jigs and tunes around a roaring blaze. Then an invitation to walk around the Orchard splashing cider on the trees themselves, to quench the spirits, and place toast in the branches, to feed the same. A noisy and boisterous recital of the Wassail Song follows. Finally, before dispersing homeward in the winter gloaming, we raise a racket to drive away negative energy with bangs and shouts (feel free to bring a dustbin lid or some such to be your drum).
Whether or not you believe this stuff is a personal thing. It’s both serious and fun. We’ve been doing this here since 2006 and it hasn’t done us any harm.
* Our warm mulled cider is free but a donation (to help cover costs) is appreciated. And please, if you remember, bring you own cup, mug or flagon.
You can get in touch with The Shaftesbury Tree Group at planetshaftesbury@gmail.com.
