ABOUT 100 villagers from the Frith Common area near Tenbury Wells aimed to keep tradition alive and do their best to keep the cider apple orchards of the area abundant with fruit by taking part in an ancient wassailing ceremony.

The ritual, which was first recorded in Tudor times, is done to bless the trees to encourage a bountiful crop later in the year.

Villagers paraded, carrying fire torches under the stars to the sound of drums and chanting, through the orchards of Oldfields Farm, where cider has been made by the Thompson family for 50 years.

The wassail, meaning ‘good health’, was presided over by the Leominster Border Morris Side and by making as much noise as possible the aim is to drive away evil spirits and songs are sung to Pomona, the apple Goddess for a fruitful harvest.

The custom also involves placing food – bread, toast or Christmas cake soaked in cider – on the tree branches and pouring cider over the tree routes.

Alison Chadwick, cider production manager at Hobson’s Brewery which makes Oldfields cider, said: “Once the orchards were blessed, the congregation returned to Oldfields for mulled Oldfields cider and a traditional mummers play, featuring a non-traditional ‘Donald Trump’.”