THE community came out in force to ward off evil spirits at a Newquay community garden on Saturday.

People attended Newquay Orchard’s annual Wassail celebration to help inspire a good harvest.

The pagan ritual acts as a sort of blessing of the Orchard’s apple trees to wake them up from their winter slumber and to ward off evil spirits that may be lurking through banging, crashing and music.

A wassail parade was held and those in attendance joined in banging pots and pans. At the end of the parade the Wassail Queen fed 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 before everyone joined in the Wassail song.

Campfire crafts, a head wreath workshop and performances by Cornish folk band Backalong were also staged.

Chard Faul from Newquay Orchard said: “A heartfelt thank you to our community for coming out in force after the storm to celebrate the Wassail tradition and sing and dance with us.

“This year's event was a huge success, thanks in no small part to the community spirit on show among the hundreds of people present. Here's to a plentiful harvest and more fantastic community events here at Newquay Orchard this year.”

A spokesperson for Newquay Orchard added: “Newquay Orchard’s Wassail celebration is 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.”