"Lines that might tumble from the tongue and echo among the listening trees"
(from Wassail! Introduction)

Many of the Wassail! poems were written with wassails, apple days and other orchard festivities in mind – and should lend themselves to imaginative interpretation. They have been performed by Debbie and Jeremy Whitton Spriggs at various events. Here you can listen to readings of 'The Song of the Cubbington Pear' and 'Wassail!'

'Wassail!'

'The Song of The Cubbington Pear'

Traditionally held on 17th January, the Wassail invokes protection for the trees and a good crop in the coming year. It involves singing and revelry, and a Wassail king and queen.

The Cubbington Pear was the 250-year old pear tree, felled to make way for the HS2 railway. One of the saplings grown from the cuttings now grows in Coton Orchard.

Coton Orchard Wassail 2025

NOTE ON USE
Any of the poems in Wassail! may be used, with due credit, for public performance, without reference to the author or publisher.
All rights remain reserved.