Chadkirk wassailing 2023
On 7 January 2023, Chadkirk held its very first wassailing. Wassailing is an ancient tradition, where orchards are visited to thank the trees for last year’s crop and to both bless them for the coming year and ward off any demons which might spoil the crop.
The wassail started in the car park on Vale Road. Once the crowd was gathered, the children took part in a draw to choose a wassail king or queen. This year, fortune favoured us having a king.
Then, led by the Green Man and the Stockport Morris Men, the procession walked to Chadkirk’s walled garden, for the wassailing ceremony.
Bread, soaked in cider, was attached to the trees as a gift to the robins, which protect the trees from harm. Then the Green Man led the wassailing chant, after which the entire crowd made as much noise as possible to ward off evil spirits which might spoil the crop this year.
Everyone retired to the chapel to enjoy some mulled cider (or apple juice) and cake, while the Stockport Morris Men gave an outstanding performance.
We’d like to thank everyone who came, all of the Chadkirk volunteers for keeping the event safe, the Green Man (Mike Howell) and the Stockport Morris Men. Everyone gave their time for free, to keep the event free. Proceeds from the refreshments go to the Friends of Chadkirk to help with both running events like this and maintaining the chapel, garden and estate.
