Wassailing

Join us on Sunday 18th January 2026 at the Historic St Laurence Orchard for our annual celebration of nature and community, where we sing songs and awaken the trees ready for Spring!

What is Wassailing?
A wassail is a blessing which means ‘Be of good health’ derived from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Waes Hael’. An Apple Orchard Wassailing is a blessing for the New Year to scare away any evil spirits that would harm the trees and prevent them from bearing a full crop the next year.

A crowd assembles as much banging of pots, loud singing, dancing and playing musical instruments help to make the ceremony more meaningful and spectacular. Then everyone may share a toast to the trees. Toasted bread is then tied to the trees to tempt the birds back into the orchard to help fertilise the trees once again.

Where to find St Laurence Orchard
Address: St Laurence Orchard, Eastwoodbury Ln, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6UY

You may also like the following events from Trust Links Charity:

• This month, 23rd January, 07:00 pm, Trust Links Quiz Night in Southend-on-sea

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Southend-on-Sea.