THE ANCIENT custom of wassailing the apple orchards was held in the community orchard and church hall at Bere Ferrers recently and attended by almost 60 people. The colourful Dartmoor Border Morris team, based in Meavy, got the evening off to a fine start with their energetic dances. The apple trees were decked with toast, the traditional wassailing poem was recited and a great deal of noise produced to drive away any evil spirits and to encourage a good harvest. Everyone then returned to the church hall to be entertained by well known local group Tavy Tars who sang sea shanties, the audience joining in the choruses. A mystical yarn, more dancing and refreshments of pasties and mulled wine followed.
