FRIGHTENING away evil spirits is a noisy business and Sandford residents and visitors did not disappoint!

At the appropriate time everyone made as much noise as they could as part of this year’s Sandford Wassail.

The Brown Paper Bag Theatre Company who staged the Mummer’s Play, pictured with some of the members of Exeter Morris. AQ 2084
The Brown Paper Bag Theatre Company who staged the Mummer’s Play, pictured with some of the members of Exeter Morris. AQ 2084 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Exeter Morris before the parade to Sandford Square. AQ 1982
Exeter Morris before the parade to Sandford Square. AQ 1982 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

People were invited to take along pots and pans, rattles, whistles, and other instruments or just shout for the noisy part of the proceedings.

This year’s Sandford Wassail, which saw hundreds attend, was held on Saturday, January 11.

There was fire, firing shotguns, music, singing, cider, toast, a procession, dancing, pitchforks and much more - all integral parts of Sandford Wassail each year.

Sampling apple cake. AQ 2007
Sampling apple cake. AQ 2007 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Hundreds walking in the parade at Sandford. AQ 2020
Hundreds walking in the parade at Sandford. AQ 2020 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The Wassail King pouring cider around the apple tree. AQ 2027
The Wassail King pouring cider around the apple tree. AQ 2027 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The evening began with everyone gathering in Sandford Square and the arrival of the parade of Exeter Morris.

There was morris dancing in the square, the choosing of the Wassail King and the singing of the Wassail song.

Last year Alice Sherlock of Chulmleigh was crowned Wassail Queen but this year it was Richard Gardener of Pinhoe, Exeter, who was crowned Wassail King.

Richard found a clove in his slice of apple cake which she was served while watching proceedings in the crowd.

The ceremony then continued with a parade to an apple tree in a field near the Millennium Green.

Then followed the blessing of the trees, the King then pouring cider around a tree and toast in the branches.

The Wassail King putting toast in the apple tree. AQ 2031
The Wassail King putting toast in the apple tree. AQ 2031 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Joe Hooper with his Green Man mask at Sandford Wassail. AQ 2075
Joe Hooper with his Green Man mask at Sandford Wassail. AQ 2075 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

People then took part in the noisy part, the frightening away of the evil spirits.

Pots and pans were bashed and guns fired into the trees.

The village event is held in association with Sandford Orchards, the local cider producing company.

In the cider-producing counties of the South West and South East of England, wassailing refers to a traditional ceremony that involves singing and drinking the health of trees in the hope that they might better thrive. The wassail in Sandford was revived in 2011.

Some of the crowd watching the bonfire. AQ 2066
Some of the crowd watching the bonfire. AQ 2066 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Watching the Mummer’s play at Sandford Wassail. AQ 2056
Watching the Mummer’s play at Sandford Wassail. AQ 2056 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The Brown Paper Bag Theatre Company staged a very funny mummer’s play after the proceedings.

Proceedings concluded with a bonfire.

Afterwards, The Lamb Inn served hot drinks and mulled cider and from 8.30pm, Wassail Traditional Folk Songs and others were sung in the Dowrich Room.

Wassailing is a pagan tradition dating back to medieval times and the word wassail comes from the Viking term “waes hail” for “good health”.