A Wassail was a new experience for the Gallopers, but came on recommendation from our friends at Kintbury Morris so we decided to give it a go on this very cold but sunny afternoon. When we arrived at The Boot in Bracknell, it was ablaze with the colour of five different Morris sides and their supporters.

The afternoon began with Morris dancing, with each side performing two or three dances. The hosts for the day were OBJ Border Morris with their blackened faces and green and black rag coats;

Mayflower Morris danced a Northwest Clog style wearing black pinafores and red tops.

Ridgeway Step Clog brought their own wooden floor for their precise clog dancing.

Phoenix Morris, also wearing red and black with lots of badges and colourful floral hats

Wickham Morris dressed in black with rag coats.

 

Next was a Mummers Play performed by Wickham Morris, followed by the Wassail Ceremony. Everyone was given a piece of Wassail cake and whoever had the piece with a bean in it became Wassail King or Queen. The ceremony involved a potted apple tree with slices of toast in its branches, cider and burial of a (model) wren. Quite bizarre! This was accompanied by singing, readings and loud noise to drive away evil spirits.

The dancing came to a close with a mass stick dance (East Acton) led by Colin from OBJ.

A brilliant brass band, Soundblast Sinfonia, accompanied some of the dancing during the gaps in between.

We had to sing to be let into the pub, and the afternoon finished with the usual refreshments from the bar

Text : Jackie Breadmore
Photos : David Woodhead : Jonathan Causebrook : OBJ Morris



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