Traditional celebration aims to ensure a good apple crop this year

UPLYME Morris Men will be wassailing the apple trees to ensure a good crop this year.

Lyme Regis Museum’ is hosting the traditional Old Twelfth night celebrations on Saturday, January 14, which begin inside at 3pm with mulled cider or apple juice being served.

Outside the Morris side will perform their dances, including a new addition to the repertoire dedicated to the apple tree. Children are invited to take part in the ceremony of The Toast, and Adrian Pearson will lead the singing of the wassail song.

This is followed by the Then comes the premiere of Mummer’s the Word!, Harry Ford’s witty revival of an ancient winter play with the comforting message that out of darkness comes light.

With live music, grotesque masks, flaming torches and a real horse the mummers will perform then promenade along Coombe Street to George’s Square, with further scenes en route, finishing at St Michael’s Church with mulled ale.

Everyone is invited to wrap up warm and follow them through the streets of Lyme. Everything is free.