Noisy old English custom will be marked at Bourne Community Orchard on Saturday

Join Bourne Borderers and the Friends of Bourne Woods for wassail at Bourne Community Orchard on Saturday, January 11, from 4.30pm.

Take along whistles, bells, saucepans and wooden spoons to make lots of noise, plus torches, lanterns and warm clothes. Refreshments and homemade cakes will be available.

The wassail is an old English custom to thank the trees for their harvest and to encourage them to bear fruit in the coming year. Glasses will be raised to thank the trees for their harvest, toast will be left out for the robin who is the guardian of the orchard and there will be lots of noise to scare away any evil spirits.

This family-friendly event is free to attend but donations are welcome.

The orchard is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm or dusk if earlier, for quiet enjoyment. www.friendsofbournewoods.org.uk