Elephant up a Pole Wassail 2018
Brandon Marshes Nature Reserve , Coventry - Sunday 14th January 2018
Just the thing to get us out on a chill grey day at the begining of a New Year - It's 'Elephant up a pole' Wassail time again. September to April is our practice season ( 7.45pm/9.45pm every Thursday at Braybrooke Village Hall) where we don't usually Dance out , but we do make exceptions so on Sunday 14th January 2018 we attended the annual 'Elephant up a pole' Wassail at Brandon Marshes near Coventry . Wassailing is an ancient 'country' custom which is carried out in Orchards to persuade the apple trees to produce a bumper crop of apples for cider making. It involves sing and reciting poetry to the trees,dancing round them, banging the ground or making a loud noise with saucepan lids, dustbin lids (if you can find metal ones), and drums to drive away evil presences and finally decorating the trees with pieces of toast soaked in cider to attract bugs which will help pollinate the trees.
Beforehand Morris sides of different traditions including Braybrooke's Cotswold , 2 Border Morris , Clog , Step and Molly Dancing had provided around 2 hours entertainment. Chill and grey it might be but at least it was dry!! As usual a great time was had by all. and Thank You for inviting us again.
SIdes contributing were
Elephant up a Pole Border Morris
Silhill Border Morris
Black Annis Molly Dancers
Coventry Morris Men
Step on Board - Step and Clog Dancers
Braybrooke Morris (Cotswold)
Solo Clog dancer