COLWALL Orchard Group will be bringing the ancient custom of wassailing back to life on Saturday January 14.

This will be the fourth year that the group has held the event, and in that time it has become highly popular, with about 300 people turning out last year.

Wassailing is an ancient custom, though to date back to pagan times, which aims to ensure a fruitful season for the orchards.

Tim Dixon of the orchard group said: “It’s a very lively and noisy event.

“We assemble at Colwall Green and then there's a torchlight procession to Cummins Orchard, where we carry out the ceremony.”

Pots and pans are beaten and rattled to scare away the evil spirits, toast is placed in the branches of the fruit trees and libations of cider are poured on to the roots of the trees.

The wassailing is led by a master of ceremonies whose identity remains unknown.

Revellers should gather on Colwall Green at 6pm, with the procession starting at 6.30pm.

All are welcome, and participants should bring torches and lanterns, and wear stout footwear and decorative hats.

The ceremony will be followed by refreshments and cider in a nearby barn. Admission is £2 for adults and children go free.

Proceeds will go towards the orchard group’s work to promote, celebrate and restore the village’s traditional orchards.

The group has also bought its own land where it is creating a village garden, including an orchard and allotments, play area, wildlife corner and picnic area.

“This is our first event of the new year, and also the last for a while.

“The next event will be in May, when we will celebrate blossomtime,” said Mr Dixon.