Wassailers toast the apple trees to ensure a good harvest in Tolpuddlle (From Dorset Echo)

Wassailers toast the apple trees to ensure a good harvest in Tolpuddlle

12:27pm Monday 24th January 2011 in Community

Tolpuddle

• A CHEQUE for £200 raised for charity at last year’s village show was presented to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance by the village show committee.

Air ambulance volunteers Susan and Terry Dredge came along to the Martyrs’ Inn prior to the wassail party to receive the cheque.

• A WASSAILING party left the Martyr’s Inn led by the Muddlecoombe men and the Festus Derriman Morris, Angie Reed tells me.

At Orchard Meadow, everyone formed a circle around the oldest apple tree - the guardian tree to represent all the apple trees of the village.

They then made as much noise as possible by way of tooting horns, blowing pipes, banging saucepans with wooden spoons, tambourines and other noisy things.

There was spectacular screaming from Verity Pitman who was playing the part of the Wassail Queen.

This was to scare away the evil spirits and to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the autumn before the singing of the wassail chant.

The Muddlecoombe men led the proceedings and after the passing round of the wassail cup of hot fruity spicy cider punch, toast that had been dipped in the cider cup was placed in the tree by the youngest person present, Saff Taylor.

The Festus Derriman Morris from Upwey, then performed a traditional morris dance applauded by the wassailers.

They then moved to the far end of Orchard Meadow to wassail the four sapling apple trees and the toast ritual was performed by the four eldest people present.

Finally, Muddlecoombe Man, Nick Caddy read a poem that he had specifically composed for the event.

The evening rounded off with a delicious Pork Casserole and Mulled Cider served at the Martyrs’ Inn.

Angie says that everyone had such an enjoyable evening that it is hoped to make this an annual Tolpuddle event.

The sum of £183.50 raised from the event which will go towards the running costs of this year’s Tolpuddle Show, which will be on Saturday, August 13.

Puddletown

• CHRISTMAS lunch for the over-seventies made a profit of £839.33 that included a number of generous donations and a the proceeds of very good draw.

This profit was given to the church tower fund.

Great thanks to everyone who helped to make the day such a success and to everyone who attended and made such a wonderful atmosphere!

• THE church Christmas Fair and coffee morning welcomed plenty of customers to carry off the Christmas fare, wreaths and craft items from the stalls.

A profit of £1,851.50p was made for Church Funds.

• POP-IN coffee mornings are held every Thursday between 10 am and noon in the church room, where we are always glad to see you.

Rosemary's card stall will be there on February 10 and a percentage of sales is given to church funds.

• THE last Monthly Lunch before Lent will be held on Monday, February 14, St Valentine's Day, from noon tuntil1.30 pm in the village hall.

The main course is likely to be roast pork.

• ST MARY’S flower team AGM and lunch will be held in the church room on Saturday, February 19, starting at 11.30 am.

New members are always welcome - contact Diana Wilson on 01305 848510.