Keeping an ancient West Country tradition alive, Thatchers Cider hold a Wassail celebration each January. Wassailling is the act of . We are delighted to have worked alongside Alastair Currie Events on this event at the Thatchers family farm in Sandford, Somerset for the last few years.
We build an impressive marquee over our steel based hard wood flooring, finished with a stylish beige carpet. Being a winter event, one certainty is the cold weather, another likelihood is wind and rain. But that needn’t make for an any less cosy and warm event. Heaters are distributed thoughout the tent creating a warming interior. And the flowing mulled cider helps too!
Read more about creating a warm winter event
The marquee is finished with pleated ivory linings throughout, except for the central portion over the stage and dancefloor, which features our clear roof adorned with an abundance of festoon lighting. Entertainment is an important part of the event and this really draws the eye to the centre of the event.
A parquet dancefloor and stage is centered to one side of the marquee, with tables distrubted around. Allowing each of the 300+ guests an unobstructed view of the entertainment, no matter where they are seated. Entertainment for the event includes the traditional Morris Dancers and folk band, with additional entertainment varying through the years from Fire Dancers to Comedians.
A catering annex attaches to the back of the tent, where delicious hot food is prepared and brought out to the guests. Guests are seated at vintage wooden tables, decorated with plenty of candles (and plenty of cider) to create a welcoming winter feel. Ample room is left between tables for milling and socialising, to catch up with old friends and new.
Upon arrival guests are greated with a glass of the Thatchers mulled cider, then after a tutorial from the Morris Dancers guests make their way out for the traditional ceremony. Guests then make their way into the orchard, song sheets in hand,ready to scare off evil spirits and attract good spirits for a bountiful harvest! As called for by tradition, guests sing the traditional Wassail song while banging together sticks to scare away any evil spirits from the trees. The Green Man and the Wassail Queen pour cider over the roots of the Wassail tree and hang cider-soaked toast to hang from its branches to attract robins, good spirits that will help the trees grow and produce good fruit. After the ceremony guests returned to the warmth and shelter of the clearspan, clear-roofed marquee for a delicious feast and a night of entertainment.
The Thatchers Wassail is a fantastic event and always a joy to be a part of.