Wassailing!

Yesterday the band was booked to play for the evening ceilidh after Penkhull Wassail in Stoke on Trent.

F decided to come with me and we went to the  Wassailing. There was a torch lit procession blessing an apple tree on the way. We then all trooped into the large garden of a house where we had spiced cider to drink and the apple trees were blessed. Toast was hung on the branches and cider poured on the roots (extra is of the ceremony) to promote a good harvest next year. The main photo is of the morris dancing on the snow covered lawn. 

The wassailers moved off to dance, play (there was a brass band) and sing outside various hostelries followed by soup and bread at the hall.

Stoke is putting in a bid for City of Culture 2021 and we were all encouraged to have photos taken looking through the frame. F and I are pictured in an extra.

The ceilidh was a sell out and there was an evening of enthusiastic dancing. We thoroughly enjoyed playing for them.

It was a horrible journey back as it rained all the way. It was lucky that it stayed dry for the wassailing.

A very late night (or rather morning) so I'm very lack lustre today!