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Wassailing at Fort Amherst
January 5, 2019 @ 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Wassailing is an ancient custom that is rarely performed today. The word ‘wassail’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘waes hael’ which means ‘good health’.
On the evening of Saturday 5th January Fort Amherst will be celebrating this tradition for the fifth year. The Wassailing ritual will be performed, toasting the apple trees with Mulled Cider or Apple juice on the Belvedere lawn, complete with traditional Morris dancing and the firing of cannons and muskets to ward off evil spirits.
After the ritual you will retire to the underground tunnels for an evening of Kentish Mummers plays adapted for Chatham, with storytelling and folk music by Kentish band Larkspur. There will be a bar and hot food available so if you want to go along and join in the ancient merriment then don’t delay in booking your tickets. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children (aged 5-15). Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Once purchased, tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.
Click on the link here to purchase tickets.