The West Country tradition of blessing orchards in the hope of getting a good crop of cider this year is common in the countryside around Bristol, but not exactly the kind of thing you’d expect in the city centre.
However, organisers are inviting everyone to a Bristol Urban Wassail, which is taking place at a venue in Old Market this coming week. The event, at the Exchange, will feature all the necessary ingredients of a traditional wassail – live music, a wassail play, home made costumes, plenty of West Country cider to drink and the fixing of toasted bread to an apple tree – but with an urban twist.
The apple tree will be represented by a man dressed as a tree, the toast will be stuck to him with gaffer tape, the music will be provided by cult ‘scrumpy and western’ band Skimmity Hitchers, with support from The Shinkickers, which features members of legendary Bristol cider-punk group The Surfin’ Turnips, and a DJ called Buttercup Joe.
“The Wassail is an ancient rural tradition of blessing orchards for a successful incoming harvest, and many such events happen around the time of Twelfth Night across the West Country,” explained Skimmity Hitchers frontman and ‘lead cider imbiber’ Tatty Smart. “This specifically Bristol event, however, has a distinctly urban twist with an emphasis on participation and fun.
“The Wassail is a true celebration of the holy apple and West Country identity, and this is Bristol’s very own event. Come and pay homage to the city’s abandoned orchards, gnarly park trees and super strength cider-drinkers,” he added.
Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are £12 plus booking fee from Headfirst Bristol here. The Exchange is a 14+ venue, and under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.