Two hundred people waded through the mud to wassail Old Man Apple at the National Trust’s Swan Barn Farm last Friday evening. 

The torchlight parade was led by the XR drummers to the oldest tree in the orchard. Old Man Apple was serenaded with wassail songs, wetted by cider and decorated by toast, all offerings to ensure a good harvest.  

Wassailers enjoyed Swan Barn cider mulled by Misty Moon, and stews from a community cook-up thanks to Tesco and Co-op with a Bakehouse roll on the side.

Entertainment was provided by Clare and Áine, Tamara, Lyla, REN and Mio expertly MC’d by Ed.

The event was organised by Claire and Gareth of Community Orchard Project SouthEast in partnership with The National Trust and Transition Haslemere.

Claire said: "This event actually couldn’t happen without the dozens of local volunteers who stepped forward to help make this such a memorable event and an ongoing fixture in the Haslemere events calendar."