Wassailling of One Tree Hill
2.30 pm Saturday 9th February
Admission: Free
Dress: Pagan
Wassail trees at the allotment.
Wassailling apple orchards is an ancient tradition in cider-making parts of the country, and is a way of blessing the orchard to ensure a good crop. It involves making noise to scare off evil spirits, pouring libations of cider on to the roots and consuming a certain amount of it too.
More details at ianwhite.info/Wassail.html.
Interested parties gather at the rasied beds at 2.30, wassailling of the site begins at 2.45. From 3.30 there will be scoffing of jacket potatoes and quaffing of mulled apple juice and cider, before retiring back to 10 Walters Way.
Guests are requested to bring noise-making instruments and snacks and apple-derived drinks to share. In addition to the “pagan” dress code, guests are advised to dress warmly and wear suitable footwear, bearing in mind that the going can be slippery. In case of bad weather, a gathering will simply take place at Walters Way.
Bonfire Night November 10th 2018 5pm
The fire and fireworks are this Saturday 10TH of November. Gather from 5 for fireworks at 6. We will light a BBQ in case you want to put anything on it. The OTHAS cider or real ale cellar may be open for contributions but we cannot guarantee this so bring whatever you want to drink as well. Don’t bring fireworks but you will be given an opportunity to contribute towards what we have bought. Plot holders and their friends are very welcome. We are not sure of the exact location. If there is nothing set up at the bottom, make your way half way up the hill to the communal ‘pizza oven’ area.
Apple Pressing for Cider Making
One of the site’s annual highlights approached – next Saturday October 6th – when Ian will lead the apple pressing! All welcome – kids especially – to help turn the season’s windfalls into exquisite juice. Come to the pizza area between 1 and 6.
The pumpkin and squash trail around the allotment in September 2018
After the hottest and driest summer that I can remember will pumpkins and squashes have a memorable year like tomatoes and chillies.
I think bottom of the hill plots won out over the top plots. However Jon’s ornamental looking squashes growing out of a bag of manure caught my eye on his top plot.
