Plas Newydd comes alive with sights and sounds of Wassail

The gardens at Plas Newydd were transformed last Sunday afternoon as people gathered for the very first Plas Newydd Wassail. 

This old tradition of ‘waking the orchard’ celebrates nature, renewal and community, and the Plas Newydd Wassail incorporated elements of Calennig (Welsh New Year) customs as well. 

Celebrants, many wearing nature-themed costumes, watched dancing from Tegeingl Tanglers Border Morris side outside the cafe. 

A torchlit procession filled the darkening grounds with a joyful din as everyone made as much noise as possible to ‘drive the evil spirits out’ of the orchard. 

Crackling braziers and twinkling fairy lights created a magical atmosphere as people gathered around the Old Man and the Old Woman, the brightly-lit guardian trees. 

Llangollen Food Share provided apple-themed refreshments as the beautiful sounds of acapella group, Oswestry in Harmony, floated on the evening air. 

Children placed decorated apples (Perllan) at the feet of the Old Man and Woman, Rebekah provided some informative background and geed-up the crowd, with the help of the Town Crier, followed by head gardener Lysette reading a poem celebrating the orchard’s trees. 

Organiser Max made an address to the Old Man and Woman before cider was poured on their roots and toast lodged in their branches to symbolise healthy growth and abundance. 

Every cry of ‘WASSAIL!’ was met with a hearty ‘DRINK-HAIL!’ from the gathered crowd. 

Around a hundred people attended, most from Llangollen, but some from much further away. The rain held off until the main celebrations were over, then made for an appropriately life-giving finale. 

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "A wonderful winter afternoon and a superb atmosphere was enjoyed by all who attended. Thanks to the organisers, Max and Gail, all the volunteers and contributors, and everyone who helped make the Wassail such a sparkling success. Same time next year?"