AN ANCIENT medieval tradition has been brought back to life in a small north Dorset village.

The mid-winter celebration, Wassail, was common in the West Country and was a way of asking the apple trees to bear a good harvest and chasing out evil spirits.

The rural community of Chettle, near Blandford Forum, has ressurected the centuries-old tradition. 

A 'head apple' leads a procession to an orchard to honour the fruit and 'wake up' the springtime.

There was also plenty of singing to the health of the trees and cries of 'Wassail', which means ‘good health’.

Four brand new songs have been written for the Chettle version, inspired by the landscape around the village, and the event is now observed every year on the weekend nearest to January 17.

The villagers also made costumes, headdresses and props inspired by nature.

An impressive roster of guest artists were also invited into Chettle to help inspire the ritual.

These included folk singer and activist Sam Lee, human ecologist and artist Zoe Laureen Palmer, violinist Simmy Singh and choir leader Sandie Campbell.

The event has been documented in a film by artist, director and filmmaker Sophie Austin which will be out later this year and the project produced by Chettle resident Becky Burchell. 

This project was funded by the Dorset Performing Arts Fund at the Dorset Community Foundation.