PICTURES: Wassailing returns to Congresbury

Congresbury villagers hosted a wassail ceremony on the Millennium Green on Saturday.

Congresbury youngsters in their Wassailing wreaths. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Dozens of youngsters and adults blessed the apple trees at the community orchard, while pots and pans were bashed and cider-soaked toast wafted around the trees to encourage a fruitful crop of apples.

The green man, Andy Tilley, led the procession from Riverbank to the Millennium Green with old songs.

Wassailers wearing their Wassailing wreaths. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

People brought saucepans and drums to drive away the evil spirits.

A headdress making session took place at the youth club and mulled juice and apple cake were served at the youth club after the wassail.

Green Man Andy Tilley and Dave Brett with his melodeon leading wassailers to the orchard. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Incantations were recited by families, who wrapped up warm and braved the cold weather.

The celebration originates from a Pagan ritual dating back centuries.

Green Man Andy Tilley leading wassailers to the orchard. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

If you attended a wassailing event over the weekend, remember to upload your photos to www.iwitness24.co.uk

Congresbury wassailers wearing their Wassailing wreaths. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury wassailers wearing their Wassailing wreaths. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury Wassail Green Man Andy Tilley. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Green Man Andy Tilley pouring cider around the apple tree. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury wassailers making some noise. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury wassailers paraging around the apple tree. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury wassailers making some noise. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury wassailers. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Youngsters tying toast into the branches of the apple tree. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Youngsters tying toast into the branches of the apple tree. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury wassailers making some noise. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury Wassail Green Man Andy Tilley with wassailers. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Someone made so much noise they broke their wooden spoon. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury wassailers making some noise. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury Wassail Green Man Andy Tilley with his family. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Congresbury wassailers. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Dave Brett's melodeon leading wassailers in the wassail song. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)

Dave Brett and his melodeon leading wassailers in the wassail song. (Image: Mark Atherton Photography)