TOAST IN THE TREE: ROTHERHITHE WASSAIL!

Event information

Come and join us round the fire at the first Midnight Apothecary of 2013 for Wassailing, the traditional old Twelfth Night celebration. Following last year's food harvest in our new garden, we intend to usher in another bountiful year with copious amounts of mulled apple based concoctions, fire and toast. They all feature in this ancient ceremony to give thanks and bless the fruit trees in anticipation of the new season. In the past, villagers would gather with shotguns and make a loud racket to raise the Sleeping Tree Spirit and scare off demons. We recommend bringing pots and pans instead! Wassail gets its name from the Old English term "waes hael" meaning "be well". The Saxon response is "drinc hael" meaning "drink and be healthy". To that end, non-alchoholic cocktails will be on offer for those who have placed themselves on the wagon this month. Below the Midnight Apothecary's Garden is a huge vaulted chamber, a beckoning M!
ead Hall. An optional guided descent through the narrow Hobbit Hole into the underground chamber for a short passage from The Lord of the Rings is available for an additional £5 (no need to book in advance for this optional tour). What more could you want from a crisp winter's evening than to gather round the fire when nights are at their longest? Join us for another magical evening.

Bring lanterns, torches and/or something to make a noise with.

There will be a cash bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails and delicious hot food on sale from BBC MasterChef winner Julie Friend.

Entry is £5 but this ticket gets you a free cocktail!

Numbers are limited for this special event so entry is by advance ticket only.