WASSAILING AT KINGSTONE HIGH SCHOOL – SATURDAY 17TH JANUARY 2015

The High Sheriff attended the Wassailing event at Kingstone High School which was opened by the Escape to the Countryside presenter Jules Hudson. Parents, staff and governors were welcomed and invited to join in the first Wassailing to be held at the High School.  The event was organised by the Friends of Kingstone High School’s PTA Chairman, Julie Wells, vice chairman Rebekah Ruvino and treasurer Becky Wall.

The crowds followed a procession into the school’s candlelit young orchard.  the Queen of the Wassail Rebekah Ruvino then duly dipped a bit of bread into the newly created wooden bowl which was full of mulled cider. The bread was placed on the bough of the oldest tree to attract favourable spirits.  Chris Donovan the Wassailing expert then poured the rest of the cider at the base of the tree with the crowds making loud noises, the Morris Dancer then banged their sticks and this was followed by the High Sheriff firing two shots to ward off evil spirits.  Matt Hunt, music teacher then serenaded the trees along with elements of the school choir and the crowd singing the wassail song.  The Gwatkins Cider company assisted participants in sampling their variety of ciders throughout the evening.