Join us at our annual celebration of nature and community, where we sing songs and awaken the trees ready for spring, taking place on Sunday 21st January 2024 at St Laurence Orchard.
What is Wassailing?
A wassail is a blessing which means ‘Be of good health’ derived from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Waes Hael’. An Apple Orchard Wassailing is a blessing for the New Year to scare away any evil spirits that would harm the trees and prevent them from bearing a full crop the next year.
A crowd assembles as much banging of pots, loud singing, dancing and playing musical instruments help to make the ceremony more meaningful and spectacular. Then everyone may share a toast to the trees. Toasted bread is then tied to the trees to tempt the birds back into the orchard to help fertilise the trees once again.
Where to find St Laurence Orchard
Our address is:
129 Eastwoodbury Ln,
Southend-on-Sea
SS2 6UY
You can use the map below to get directions.
Parking: The closest parking is at St Laurence Park. This is a very small car park, and so we advise people to get public transport where possible. If you must drive, it is likely you will have to park in the neighbouring roads and then walk to the Orchard.
