Apple Howling

Apple Howling or 'wassailing' is an ancient custom in which the 'evil' spirits are driven out and the 'good' spirits are encouraged to produce a good apple crop for the following year's cider.

The Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men revived this tradition in the area over 55 years ago and it has become an essential part of Christmas for many people, especially families with young children, who seem to welcome the opportunity to make as much noise as possible!  The ceremony was traditionally held on the eve of Twelfth Night, old Christmas Day, but we have settled on the first Saturday in January as a regular date for our event.

The venue is Old Mill Farm, Bolney, RH17 5SE [Map] and we are grateful to Glyn and Tom Stevens, the proprietors, for making us welcome, as always.

The proceedings begin in the farmyard at 3.30 pm with a procession down the lane to the orchard, no longer with flaming torches as we move to a more family oriented event in daylight. Here the wassailers encircle one of the oldest trees.  The Master of the Ceremony begins the proceedings by leading an invocation, encouraging the tree to produce a bumper crop in the coming season.  A spiced and cider-soaked wassail cake is placed in a fork of the tree and cider is poured over the roots to promote good growth.  After some more words of encouragement for the tree, the Master of the Ceremony calls for beaters to thrash the trunk of the tree with sticks.  This is one of the parts of the event that particularly appeals to the younger members - the harder they hit, the greater the stimulation!  This is followed by a wassail song and a dance or two by the Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men.

The high point of the ceremony now takes place with the ‘general hullabaloo’.  This begins with a shotgun being fired into the air, at which point, everyone makes as much noise as possible.  Bring your own ‘instruments’ - dustbin lids, old saucepans and football rattles - let your imagination be your guide!  The hullabaloo ends with another gunshot - we used to use a whistle, but once the racket got going, no-one could hear it!

The afternoon concludes as evening falls back at the farmyard with spiced wassail cakes and English cider.  As in previous years, we are hoping to be able to sample some more of that wonderful cider from Old Mill Farm, where the ceremony is held. Wobblegate will also be producing some more food and drink for sale outside the tap room.  A further display of Morris Dancing will accompany the food, drinks and revels, and a collection is taken to offset our costs, and so that everyone may associate themselves with the occasion and its undoubted benefits!

The dancers will retire to the Tap Room where music and singing will take place to entertain anyone staying on, who will be most welcome to join us and the Wobblegate team, and join in.

Flaming torches are no longer used in the procession. Everyone is encouraged to bring a torch or lantern (but no naked flames please) as it will be getting dark as we return to the farm buildings.

Don’t forget something noisy for the Hullabaloo!

Wellies, thick socks, scarves and warm gloves are usually essential! Don’t forget something to make a noise with too!!

Parking is very limited - it is advisable to arrive at least 30 minutes before we process at 3.30pm in order to be parked - once we’ve started we block the road you drive in on!

You may wish to print and bring a copy of the full text of the ceremony with you (having practiced the song…..)

Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men and Apple Howling - a fuller guide..

A book called “Wassailing” - Reawakening an Ancient Folk Custom has recently been published, which features our ceremony and its history, among many others. It is detailed yet a very enjoyable and informative read and we can thoroughly recommend it. Click on the image of it to the right and you will open a direct link to their website for more detail and ordering information.

For 2023 and beyond the timing and format of the event has changed, becoming more family focused.  Please note there will no longer be flaming torches, and naked flames are prohibited, but torches and electric lanterns welcomed. The photos below are from previous events where flaming torches were still in use.