About the evening
The wassail is one of the oldest small midwinter rituals in cider country — a slightly noisy, slightly sentimental visit to the orchard on or just after Twelfth Night, to drink the trees' health, hang toast in the lower branches for the robins, and to ask, quietly, for a good year of fruit. We have been holding one in the orchard at Halmond's Frome, just up the lane from the village, since 2019. It is the smallest event in the trustees' year and one of the few we look forward to most.
This is not a ticketed evening and there is no charge to attend. We ask only that you let us know you are coming, so that we can mull the right amount of cider and not run out of mugs. Booking is on the form below; we will reply with arrival details (parking is a single mown strip in the field gateway, and is limited; a walk from the village along the lane takes about twelve minutes).
The shape of the evening
- 18.30 — gather at the orchard gate. A lantern hung on the gatepost; everyone is greeted by a trustee.
- 18.45 — walk to the old Tom Putt tree at the lower end of the orchard.
- 19.00 — wassail: a short reading (traditional, not religious), a cup of mulled cider, songs from those who know them. Toast hung in the lower branches.
- 19.30 — back to the orchard barn for a second cup, biscuits, and conversation. The bequests' minute book is on the table for anyone who would like to look.
- 20.30 — close. Lanterns home.
What to bring
- Boots or stout shoes. The orchard is grass; it is January.
- A warm coat and a hat. The barn is unheated.
- A torch for the lane home, if you are walking.
- A mug, if you would like one of your own — we have spares, but they are an assortment.
- A song, if you know one. The trustees know two.
Accessibility
- The orchard is reached down a short grass track from the lane. The track is reasonably level but not paved; it can be muddy.
- One step up into the barn at the end of the evening. We can arrange a short ramp on request.
- There is no fixed seating in the orchard; we bring half-a-dozen folding chairs for anyone who needs to sit at any point.
- There is one accessible WC in the cidery building, a hundred metres away — we will show you the key.
- Quiet space is available throughout the evening in the cidery office, with low light, if anyone needs to step away.
- The wassail involves no fireworks, no bangs, and no surprise sounds. We light lanterns rather than torches.
Getting there
By foot: About twelve minutes along the lane from the village hall in Bishop's Frome. The lane is unlit; please bring a torch.
By car: A single mown strip in the field gateway, off the lane east of the village. Limited spaces; please share where you can. The postcode is WR6.
By bus: The 420 from Hereford to Bromyard stops in the village in the early evening. Last bus back to Hereford passes through at around 21.45; check the current timetable.