Newquay’s community garden is inviting people to attend an ancient custom to help inspire a good harvest for the coming year.

Newquay Orchard is staging its annual community Wassail celebration, which will include live entertainment, face painting willow weaving and a traditional sing-along on Saturday, January 13 between 10am to 3pm.

Newquay’s all female shanty singing group will perform at 1pm.

A wassail parade will be held at 2pm, where the ‘Wassail tree’ will be soaked in cider and decorated in toast.

The pagan ritual acts as a sort of blessing of the Orchard’s apple trees and to ward off evil spirits through banging and crashing and music.

An Orchard spokesperson said: “Step into the New Year with warmth and togetherness at our beloved Newquay Orchard Wassail celebration.

“It’s a cherished tradition where we come together to embrace the spirit of community, ward off winter spirits, and raise a toast to a fruitful harvest for the year ahead.

“Our Wassail is a joyous occasion, a vibrant symphony of song in the deep midwinter.

“Rooted in the traditions of Anglo-Saxon England and pagan customs, the word Wassail originates from the phrase ‘waes hael,’ which wishes good health.

“Meet at the Heart and Soul at 2pm to join in the community Wassail parade where we wind our way through the Orchard, creating a ruckus with pots and pans, a delightful ritual to dispel any bad spirits.

“At the end of the parade the Wassail Queen feeds the Wassail tree by pouring apple juice over its roots and decorating its branches with slices of toast, an offering to welcome the good spirit represented by the robin. And together, we will sing the Wassail song.

“We can’t wait to welcome people to the Orchard, a symbol of community, good health and hope.

“It is completely free to come and join in the festivities.”