Ref. 28483-24EVIL spirits were banished from the new Penhill Orchard during an ancient wassail ceremony.

Volunteers who created the orchard on the site of disused allotments are now hoping for a bumper harvest this autumn.

The idea of the noisy Anglo-Saxon ritual is to protect trees from harmful spirits, thus ensuring a plentiful crop.

The honour of starting the ritual went to seven-year-old Katie Cox, who opened the gates for the procession, led by town crier Fred Ferris in full ceremonial dress.

Chants were sung as the procession wound its way among the apple trees.

The ceremony finished with the men of the group toasting the trees with cider and throwing their hats in the air.

Cider was then poured onto one of the saplings, known as the Apple Tree Man.

The tree will now act as a guardian, according to ancient lore, protecting the orchard.

Marilyn Beale, 59, who has overseen the orchard project, said: "It's important to keep these traditions alive.

"In times gone by they were very important as people would have relied on a good harvest to survive."

The orchard was created last year with £7,000 in Lottery money.

Volunteers planted nearly 150 apple trees.

When the harvest is ready, children from the estate will be invited to pick the fruit.

Mr Ferris has performed many ceremonies in his role as town crier, but this was his first wassail.

He said: "I have to say I had never heard of a wassail before, but it has been good fun, and I hope they get a good crop."

Mrs Beale's son, Richard, 38, who carried out the cider pouring ritual, said there was some science behind the ceremony.

He said: "Washing the tree with cider and hitting the branches will get rid of aphids."

Residents are now planning to plant another 70 trees, including cherry and greengage, at the orchard, off Leigh Road.

The word wassail derives from the Norse 'Ves heill', which gave rise to the Anglo-Saxon phrase 'waes hael', which means 'good health'. Originally, wassail was a strong beverage of ale, roast apples, nuts and spices, drunk during riotous festivities held during the feasting season in pre-Christian Britain.

Over the centuries, various ceremonies and rituals developed around the tradition of drinking wassail.

In areas where apples were grown, it evolved into a ritual in which chants and dances were used to ward off evil spirits which it was believed would harm the trees.