Harrison Park East
Orchard Wassail
Sunday 11th January 11am -1pm
Join our Greenspace group to welcome in the New Year and celebrate the orchard with orchard care, shared songs, poems and stories, and some mulled apple juice – the ancient Old Twelvey Night custom of wassailing.
The word “wassail” comes from the Old Norse phrase “ves heill” which means “be in good health” or “be fortunate”. Wassails are a blessing for a good harvest, a moment of reflection and well wishing and a way of caring for our wider community of human, animal and plant kin.
Dress up if you like, be ready for all weather and some noisy community fun – bring bells to ring, pots and pans to clang, a mug, and stories, songs, poetry or anything else you might like to share in honour of winter and the orchard.
Meet at the orchard near North Merchiston Club, and Café 48 will be open until 2pm afterwards.
