Page 162 - WDT Winter 2018 japan

grove. Never mind that he would shortly be heading up a
firing squad—but more on that later. And with this announce-
ment, the wassail had officially begun.

“It’s designed to drive the evil spirits from the orchard and
encourage good spirits to bring lovely blossoms and fruit,”
according to Adrian Somerfield, a jolly, white-bearded fellow,
Somerset born and bred, who served as the evening’s master
of ceremonies.

The wooing of the woodland spirits is primarily the job of the
wassail Queen. On this particular year, Karen Jensen, produc-
tion administrator at the cider mill, was nominated for the role
by her colleagues. The dusky beauty admitted that she’s not
particularly superstitious.

“I don’t walk under ladders, but that’s more common sense,”
she said, adjusting the floral garland that crowned her long
brown tresses. “But it’s nice to be involved with the old West
Country traditions. It’s a bit of a privilege,” she acknowl-
edged—although, naturally, the honor required a strict training
regimen. “I’ve been drinking lots of cider in preparation,” she
grinned.

Yet the wobbling horde had no trouble hoisting her slight,
velvet cloak-clad frame upon their shoulders, transporting
Jensen a short distance to the orchard, where she deposited
cider-soaked bread into the branches of a tree to attract
robins, which are thought to embody benign spirits. She then
tipped a mug of cider at the base of its trunk. “That’s putting
some goodness back in the ground,” noted Bob Chaplin, fruit
and orchard manager.

Morris Dancers Don Church and Tim Wingfield with Wassail
queen Karen Jensen. Right: What to wear to a wassail? These
young Morris dancers have opted for Wellington boots and
colorful rag jackets. With a flurry of sparks and a flash of blue
smoke, wassailers fire blanks into the orchard to scare away
bad spirits.

162 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018