AN ancient mid-winter customer welcomed the new year in Knutsford.

Crosstown Community Orchard hosted their third wassail on Saturday to ensure a good harvest for 2024.

As dusk fell, residents joined musicians and dancers to celebrate wassail, derived from the old Norse ‘waes hail’ meaning ‘good health’.

READ > Knutsford sweet shop owner moved to tears by act of kindness

Knutsford Guardian: Performers entertained people with traditional musicPerformers entertained people with traditional music (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

The festivities culminated with toasting the orchard trees to encourage them to be fruitful for the year ahead.

Orchards are traditional blessed as good spirits are awakened and bad spirits are driven out.

Knutsford Guardian: From left, trustees Lyndsey Keppel-Green, Jo Moonan and Laura Chandler wearing wassail hats From left, trustees Lyndsey Keppel-Green, Jo Moonan and Laura Chandler wearing wassail hats (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

The local Ringeye Morris team kicked off the party with a selection of dances.

Knutsford Guardian: Ringeye Morris team performed a selection of dancesRingeye Morris team performed a selection of dances (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

A brief rain shower failed to dampen the sprits of the Thelwall Morris as they performed their mummers play.

Knutsford Guardian: Thelwall Morris performed their mummers playThelwall Morris performed their mummers play (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

Historian Mike Gibson, who calls himself a ‘poetician’ recited some orchard-themed poems.

Knutsford Guardian: Historian and musician Mike Gibson recited poems and played old tunesHistorian and musician Mike Gibson recited poems and played old tunes (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

The gifted musician also played some old tunes.

Knutsford Guardian: St George in a scene from the mummers playSt George in a scene from the mummers play (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

Deputy mayor Cllr Colin Banks judged the wassail hat contest and toasted an apple tree with cider whilst reciting a verse.

Knutsford Guardian: A scene from the mummers playA scene from the mummers play (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

Robin, of the Ringeye Morris, performed some traditional tunes and led the final community singing of the Wassail song.

Knutsford Guardian: Ringeye Morris teamRingeye Morris team (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

Knutsford Hosts served food and drink, including home baked ginger bread, biscuits and fresh vegetable soup.

Knutsford Guardian: Residents enjoyed food and drink after the entertainmentResidents enjoyed food and drink after the entertainment (Image: Crosstown Community Orchard)

Sister Barista provided alternative refreshments.

Crosstown Community Orchard on Mobberley Road is Knutsford’s first community orchard.

Volunteers have planted 38 fruit trees, including apples, pear, cherry, plum, greengage and quince.

Fruit beds host strawberry, blueberry, currant, gooseberry and raspberry plants alongside jostaberry, a blackcurrant and gooseberry hybrid, and rhubarb.

A selection of wild harvest shrubs include elderberry, hazelnut and crab apple.

It is a charity run by a group of trustees.

For more details visit crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk

Monthly volunteering days are held on the last Sunday of each month between 10am and 12 noon.

Anyone is welcome to come along and lend a hand in keeping the orchard well maintained and improved.