Revellers gathered at a village pub with pots and pans to bless the orchard during the historic Somerset tradition of wassailing.

Weston Mercury: Blagdon Wassail ceremony, rifleman Alan Barwick, organiser Julie Chamberlain and Apple Queen Suzanne Bowerman..Blagdon Wassail ceremony, rifleman Alan Barwick, organiser Julie Chamberlain and Apple Queen Suzanne Bowerman.. (Image: Archant)

The Blagdon ceremony started at The New Inn where the queen of the festival was chosen and the Somerset Morris dancers performed for the crowds.

After the queen was crowned, she led the procession to the orchard where she watered the tree with cider and placed a piece of toast, soaked in cider, in its branches.

Andrew Barnes read a blessing, the spectators said the incantation, children banged their pots and the rifleman let off a couple of shots.

Revellers then tucked into mulled cider, which was supplied by Lynda Owen and her partner Ian, who run The New Inn.

Weston Mercury: Blagdon Wassail ceremony, children banging saucepans.Blagdon Wassail ceremony, children banging saucepans. (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Blagdon Wassail ceremony, Alan Barwick firing his shotgun.Blagdon Wassail ceremony, Alan Barwick firing his shotgun. (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Blagdon Wassail ceremony, Apple Queen Suzanne Bowerman placing toast in the apple tree.Blagdon Wassail ceremony, Apple Queen Suzanne Bowerman placing toast in the apple tree. (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Blagdon Wassail ceremony, morris dancing.Blagdon Wassail ceremony, morris dancing. (Image: Archant)