St Nicholas at Wade Wassail

While there is now a booming revival in Wassailing throughout England and it isn’t possible to list all of them here, some events stand out as unique and the wassail (formerly at the Gate Inn but now at The Bell at St Nicholas at Wade) is one of them. As well as all the typical elements you’d expect from a good night’s wassailing like singing around the apple tree, firing into the trees, storytelling, passing the Wassail Cup, torchlight and banging of pots & pans to frighten away evil spirits, this event features several volleys from re-enactment group the 3rd East Kent Regiment. The event begins by the re-enactors calling upon the revellers inside the pub to join them, and has been well established for a number of years. Expect a mummers play and recitations about the Saxon origins of the wassailing custom, believed to have taken place in this area many years ago.

Helpful Hints

In 2024 it was on Saturday 6th January- 2025 date is yet to be announced.

Click here for the pub website : https://www.thebellstnicholas.co.uk

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bell-Inn/307668919897994

and event listing : https://www.facebook.com/events/s/the-wassail-at-the-bell-inn-st/342305481868331/?mibextid=9l3rBW

Thanks to the late Aaron Janes for drawing my attention to this one.