A TORCHLIGHT procession marked the start of the traditional Wassailing ceremony to bless the orchard at National Trusts Swan Barn Farm, last Friday.

Families turned out in force for the annual evening of “spirit warding” and sang the wassailing song, banged pots and pans to banish evil spirits from the branches of the oldest apple tree, and drank a toast to the orchard’s health.

The torchlight procession then returned to base to drink Swan Barn produced cider and apple juice and enjoy hot refreshments.

David Elliott, the National Trust’s head ranger for Blackdown, said: “We had a fantastic evening celebrating our orchards and wishing them fruitfulness for the coming year.

“It was great to see so many people wanting to get involved and join in with us, even on a cold wet and dark evening in January.

“It was quite a sight seeing the torches held aloft by people processing their way across the farm to our oldest apple tree.

“It fills me full of hope for the future of our orchards when you see so many people joining in an evening of celebration of them.

“I hope they will all make it back to our community apple pressing day on September 29, to help us process the fruits of their good work.”