I don’t mind admitting that I had never heard of Wassail so Mr Google was called upon. There was some explanation on this twelfth night of Christmas ritual, all rather fascinating for a French person. Apple wassailing sounded particularly interesting.

It seemed to be all about blessing apple trees with cider and warding off evil spirits with as much racket as possible -including guns- in the apple orchards of the South West. The most interesting site I could find was dark dorset. I particularly like his comment that ‘this custom was especially important during a time when part of a labourer’s wages was paid in apple cider‘. Well we’d all make sure we did anything possible to ensure a good crop then, wouldn’t we?

However bizarre or wonderful pagan rituals appear, there always seems to be an explanation based on Mother Nature, as is the case with Apple Wassailing. I contacted Jill Lloyd of Bridport Community Orchard who finally had the answer to my question. Why oh why so much racket? Surely you want the birds to hang around?

Oh yes, that’s why bread dipped in cider is flung in the apple trees’ branches. Oh the lucky sparrows whose orchards are being blessed. As for the noise, it’s all to do with apple loving little bugs -codling moths- who hide behind the bark in the winter, ready to leap up the trunk and into the apples later in the year.

Shoooo little nasty things, we want our apples for our cider… Bang. Bang. Bang. And (hopefully) away they go.

It is then time for a good old glass of gold nectar around the fire whilst catching up with friends on a cold winter night and watching Morris Dancers, safe in the knowledge that everything humanely possible has been done to ensure a good crop the following autumn.

As orchards have dwindled in West Dorset so has of course apple wassailing. Thankfully not all is lost. The good people at the Bridport Community Orchard have not only turned a field in the town centre into an orchard, they are also reviving this age old West Country tradition. This Sunday 15 January 2012 at 3pm, Bridport Community Orchard. Do you have a tambourine or drums I can borrow?

Many community groups are getting together with ‘Spirit of Bridport’ to make sure the town makes the most of the Olympics on our doorstep. There’s much talk about legacy. ‘Spirit of Bridport’ is about action from the community for the benefit of all its communities and visitors.

Street theatre, pop-up cafes, a mini film festival, exhibitions celebrating our culture, gigs (of the rowing type as well as musical), special menus… Bridport is famous for great food, inspired art, inspiring creatives, quirkiness and doesn’t need much of an excuse to have a party.  When it comes to communities getting together and creating great events, Bridport has every chance of delivering.

As the 2012 Director of the Bridport and West Dorset Open Studios, I am one of the many people involved in ‘Spirit of Bridport’. From gallery owners to gig rowers, hoteliers to councillors, artists and creatives to companies who provide financial support, it’s very much a case of ‘let’s all get together and make this the best event Bridport and West Bay has ever had’.

Right, I’m off, there’s a lot of work to be done…

Nat x

After a very stormy night, West Bay beckoned and it was well worth the frozen hands afterwards. Crashing waves, cliffs going from gold to almost black… and hardly another soul around. Mesmerizing.

in Thorncombe Woods, near Thomas Hardy’s birthplace.

Reflections dans la mare, feuilles de chêne et de bouleau dans le bois de Thorncombe, près de la maison de naissance de l’écrivain Thomas Hardy (Tess d’Urberville)

The sun and the clouds have been playing with the hills and the villages giving us a forever changing landscape.

Busy day at Eype, Indian Summer 2011

The joy of living in West Dorset when an Indian Summer comes along, brief as they are, is to go down to the beach for a lunch break, enjoy the view of Golden Cap and the Jurassic Coast, quietly soak in the warmth of the sun and feel recharged for Autumn; and Winter…

Collage of a photoshoot for the Greyhound Inn in Sydling St Nicholas, Dorset. Capturing the mood that Bridport’s CW Interior Design created was a pleasure.

L’Auberge du Lévrier -Greyhound Inn- est un pub bien Anglais au fin fond de la campagne ondulée du Dorset Occidental avec une bonne table appréciée des gens du coin. Les nouveaux propriétaires ont refaits les chambres avec des couleurs chaudes, des lits comfortables, des détails qui font la difference mais ils ont gardé des prix très raisonnable.

The Greyhound Inn Sydling St Nicholas 

Locals love it as a place to meet mates, visitors love it because they’ll meet locals.

More importantly, the St Michael’s Trading Estate, now Bridport’s Art and Vintage Quarter is not  just artists and vintage sellers…
It’s home to many businesses…

Les meilleurs restaurants et hôtels du coin se réunissent sur le vieux port de pêche et proposent des plats différents, inspirés par la pêche du jour. La région est réputée pour ses excellentes Coquilles St Jacques, ses crabes, ses huitres et bien sur ses poissons.

Quelques images pour vous tenter…
Le prochain: 7 et 8 Juillet 2012.