ON January 17, Jules Hudson, Escape to the Country presenter, opened the Wassailing event with a welcome to parents, staff and governors who had ventured out on a crisp, winter evening to come to take part in the first Wassailing evening held at Kingstone High School.

The event was organised by Friends of Kingstone High School's PTA, chairman Julie Wells, vice chairman Rebekah Ruvino, and treasurer Becky Wall.

The crowds were encouraged to follow a procession into the school's candle lit, young orchard. Here, Rebekah Ruvino aka "queen of the wassail", duly dipped a piece of bread, into the newly created wooden bowl (made by the DT department at KHS) which was full of mulled cider. The cider was produced from last year's apples and decanted by Fiona Whittall of the science department. The bread was then placed on the bough of the oldest tree in the orchard to attract favourable spirits.

Chris Donovan, Wassailing expert, then poured the rest of the mulled cider at the base of the tree; with crowds making loud noises and the Morris dancers banging sticks; this was followed by The High Sheriff of Herefordshire – Major Patrick Darling firing two shots from his shot gun, to scare away evil spirits.

The trees were then serenaded by Matt Hunt (music teacher), students from the school and the crowd with the Wassail song. The procession then returned to the main hall where live music was delivered by students from the school, who entertained the visitors whilst they devoured their hog roast roll provided by Golden Valley hog roast. Chris Donovan and other local Morris dancers then entertained the crowds and demonstrate how experienced they were with their large sticks.

The Gwatkins cider company were on hand to assist participants to sample their variety of ciders throughout the evening. Liberty Wells (student) and Debbie Harding (teacher) provided homemade apple cakes as dessert.

Finally, congratulations to those who were winners of the fantastic raffle prizes, all donated by local businesses within Herefordshire and which included many apple based products.