HOOK Eagle Morris Men set about warding off evil spirits in their traditional Wassail event this month.

The group took part in a Wassail event in Hartley Wintney to bless the apple trees and promote a good harvest for the coming year.

An orchard-visiting wassail recreates an ancient custom of visiting orchards in areas of the country where cider is produced.

Groups recite incantations and sing to the trees to hopefully encourage a good harvest for the year ahead.

The tradition gets its origins from an Anglo-Saxon greeting, Wæs þu hæl or “be thou hale”, which translates to “be in good health”.

Wassail ceremonies are one of the English traditions celebrated by Hook Eagle Morris Men every year and speaking of their dance-filled Friday evening in Hartley Wintney, group bagman John Ellis said: “We were extremely lucky with the weather as usual with a break in the rain for the event and the orchard really wasn’t muddy.

“The Scouts and other volunteers provided flaming torch-lit accompaniment to the procession from The Wagon and Horses to the Vaughn Millennium Orchard, with a quick stop for cider provided by Hartley Wintney Parish Council, where a gratifyingly large audience, well over 200 adults and children joined in with the Wassail ceremony all singing lustily and joining in with singing Happy Birthday to one of our musicians – Tammy.”

The Wassail event kicks off a bumper schedule for the Hook Eagle Morris Men in 2017 and Ellis added the group is always on the lookout for new members. “As ever, we really need new members for our 2017 season, we have some very exciting events planned including dancing on St George’s Day at the Oxford Folk Weekend.

“Now is a great time to join us as we have begun practising again in the Elizabeth Hall, Ravens Road, Hook.

“No experience is necessary and we guarantee a very warm welcome - and beer - to anyone who wants to try morris dancing.”

More information can be found by contacting [email protected] or by calling 07900 886855.