AN ANCIENT tree blessing ceremony, believed to encourage good harvest, is being held in Cookley and Caunsall.

The event is hosted by FOXS Border Morris Cookley, who are organising their fourth Wassail. This year they will be joined by seven other sides who will be dancing various traditional dances.

It takes place on Saturday, January 10, and starts at 6pm at the Anchor Inn, Caunsall, followed by the wassailing of fruit trees in a small orchard opposite before returning to the inn.

The dancers will then move on to the Eagle in Cookley, at 7.30pm, where each side will perform one dance, followed by a torch light procession to a house in Cookley for wassailing of an apple tree in the back garden.

Wassail consists of words spoken by an appointed person, sipping the wassail cup and the placing of bread/cake soaked in cider on the tree. Cider is also poured onto the base of the tree. This is followed by pots and pans beaten or similar to make a loud noise. A wassail song will then be sung followed by a Morris dance.

For more information visit www.foxsmorris.org.uk