Seasonal community events can be a powerful way to bring people together, especially during the darker winter months. The team at MVUF regularly hosts open, welcoming events for the local community and encourages people to keep an eye on their events page and social media channels for upcoming activities throughout the year.
This January, they are inviting people to take part in a Wassail — a traditional winter gathering rooted in English folklore, reimagined as a warm, sociable evening to lift spirits and share food, music and company.
PAYF Wassail
-
Date: Thursday 22 January
-
Time: 6:00–8:00pm
-
Location: Open Barn and orchard
-
Cost: Pay As You Feel (PAYF)
The evening will begin at 6pm in the Open Barn, before moving into the orchard. Attendees can expect songs to join in with, plenty of food and drinks, and time spent together around the fire.
What is a Wassail?
Wassailing is an ancient English tradition that celebrates orchards and the hope of a good harvest. Historically, communities would gather in winter to “bless” the trees by sharing hot apple drinks, food and songs.
Traditions included pouring cider at the roots of trees, hanging pieces of toast in the branches as offerings to birds, and making plenty of noise — singing, shouting, and banging pots and pans — to scare away bad spirits.
While it may sound unusual, these rituals were about togetherness, joy and marking the seasons as a community.
A modern take on an old tradition
This Wassail is intended as a fun, lively nod to tradition, rather than a strict re-enactment. It offers a chance to come together, enjoy warmth and conversation, and add a little mischief and light to the gloom of January.
Events like this can be especially valuable at this time of year, offering connection, creativity and shared experience in a relaxed, informal setting.
Get involved or host an event
MVUF also welcomes enquiries from people or organisations interested in hosting their own events at the venue. Details about spaces and availability can be found on their room hire page, linked from the events section of the website.
Find out more:
Click here to book your place.
Poster
