Here's to Thee!

As the autumn draws in and the nights grow longer, our thoughts turn to colder seasonal traditions. Wassailing usually takes place in January - but we're bringing you a taste of this delicious midwinter custom in October, courtesy of Jim Causley! 

When we heard Jim talking on the fabulous Gone Medieval podcast about the unique Wassail that takes place on Grey's Cider Farm in Halstow, Devon, we invited him to come and tell us all about it. As it happens, he has a film made about this special event - and he happens to know a few songs as well!

Folk enthusiasts will probably be familiar with wassailing, originally a medieval custom in which people sing to apple trees to bless them for a bountiful harvest, but the Halstow Wassail is really special. Grey's Cider Farm, maker of possibly the oldest cider in the world, ferments its apples completely naturally, and their wassail song acknowledges both the science and the magic of cider-making. The Halstow wassail bowl was even made by a local potter from clay dug on the farm. 

Join us for an immersive hour of songs, cider tasting, and samples of local Devonshire bread & cheese. Waes hael!