LYMM Festival organisers have pulled off a major coup with internationally renowned storyteller Taffy Thomas MBE appearing at a special fund-raising Winter warmer event.
He will be performing the ancient custom of Wassailing as part of the event which is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get together and drink to each other’s good health, enjoy hearing a song or two and some seasonal stories. 
‘Wassail’ comes from an old English word meaning “Be of good health” and traditionally, it often included a ceremony which would encourage the apple trees to bear plenty of fruit – very important if you wanted to maintain a good flow of cider!
Lymm Festival, in partnership with the Orchard Group and supported by an Arts Project Grant from Warrington Borough Council, is delighted to welcome the soon to be inaugurated first National Storytelling Laureate, to host a Wassail celebration in the Oughtrington Community Orchard on Friday January 22 at 6.30pm. Children will be admitted free and adults will be charged £3.00, payable on the gate.
Taffy will spend the day with the children from Oughtrington Community Primary School, and they will later help him with the stories and songs during the Wassail ceremony. The children will also be making ‘favours’ to decorate the designated tree, including buttered toast to attract the robins, who bring good luck.
Father Michael Burgess will give a blessing, some hot spicy cider will be poured over the roots, and more will be available to drink to the health of those present and the community, as well as the trees (there will also be apple juice available). The ceremony will finish with a bit of a bang – to frighten all the nasties away!
The Community Orchard is behind Oughtrington Community Centre on Oughtrington Crescent. It can also be accessed from the canal tow-path.
If the weather is too wet, most of the event will take place indoors.
For further details, please contact Honor Giles on 01925 758856 or visit www.lymmfestival.org.uk or www.oughtrington.co.uk/orchard/
Picture shows Taffy Thomas MBE
Major coup for village festival
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
