Join Us for the Perry Hall Wassail!

2025 is a landmark year for Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (BOSF) as we celebrate 20 incredible years of championing our city’s parks, green spaces, and the volunteers who make them thrive.

To mark this special anniversary, we’re hosting a series of events and activities throughout the year that celebrate our achievements and look to the future.

Kicking things off, we’re thrilled to collaborate with the Friends of Perry Hall Park for a Wassail this Saturday, January 25th, at 2pm. Join us in Perry Hall Park for a heartwarming winter tradition filled with music, dancing, and community spirit as we bless the orchard for a fruitful year ahead.

Location: Perry Hall Park (entrance via Perry Avenue, B42 2NE)

Expect Morris dancing, Wassailing songs, and the delightful custom of hanging toast in the orchard trees, originally planted in 2015. We’ll round off the festivities with warm mulled fruit drinks and tasty treats to keep everyone cozy.

Bring along something noisy – a drum, tambourine, or even a saucepan – to help “wake the trees”!

Let’s celebrate together and make this 20th anniversary year one to remember.

To learn more about the Wassail and its importance, we spoke to Helen Banks from the Friends of Perry Hall Park:

Can you tell us a bit about the history of the Wassail and what it means to the Friends of Perry Hall Park?

“In 2015, a Community Orchard was planted with the Urban Orchard Project and Helping Britain Blossom. Several Friends and Glendale staff completed Orchard Leader Training, which set the foundation for what the orchard has become today.

Our first Wassail was held in 2016, and it was a big success. Every January, we’ve invited the local community to join us in celebrating – missing only one year due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The Wassail has always been led by the local Glorishears of Brummagem Morris Dancers, and we provide apple treats and punch for everyone to enjoy. People bring along pots, pans, or anything that makes noise to help us ‘wake the trees.’

In the Middle Ages, Wassailing was a way for peasants to offer blessings to feudal lords in exchange for food and drink. The tradition also involves drinking and singing the health of trees to ensure a good harvest. It’s all about bringing people together, giving thanks, and wishing for a fruitful year ahead.”

What can attendees expect during the event?

“The Morris Dancers perform a couple of dances by the shed, then lead us to the orchard. Together, we sing the Wassailing song, read a poem, and make lots of noise to drive away bad vibes. Toast is tied to the trees as part of the blessing ritual.

We then return to the shed, where the dancers perform a few more dances, and the Friends hand out apple treats and warm mulled drinks. It’s a simple, joyful way to connect with the community and celebrate nature.”

What role does the Wassail play in the wider work you do at Perry Hall Park?

“The Wassail is a fantastic way to engage with the community. We’ve had people attend every year since the start, alongside new faces joining us each time. One attendee even told us it’s her highlight of the year in the park.

It’s about bringing people together to have fun, fostering a sense of community, and raising awareness about what goes on in the park. It also helps make the Friends group more visible to park visitors.”

Join us this Saturday and be part of a wonderful community tradition as we kick off BOSF’s 20th anniversary celebrations!

Posted on 22nd January 2025