Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd. Saturday 17th January, 2009

2009 WILL SEE A COUNTRY DANCE CEILIDH AFTER THE WASSAIL/MARI LWYD  

The Wassail

If you think of the Harvest Festival as a thank you for a good harvest, then the Wassail is a please give us a good harvest next year. The first Wassail will take place at the lower Dell (near Three Tuns pub) at around 3.30pm and again at the Bandstand ( near The Bridge Inn) at 7pm. Mr Peter Symonds of C.R.O.W. (The Campaign For The Revival Of  Wassailing) will conduct the proceedings along with The Forest of Dean Morris men and friends. The event includes singing, dancing, blessing an apple tree and hanging pieces of toast soaked in cider on its branches.

The Mari Lwyd (Grey Mare)

This is an ancient Welsh custom which probably originated in South Wales, similar to “first footing at New Year” Traditionally a horse’s skull or representation of same is carried from house to house by the Mari Lwyd group. At the house a kind of singing competition between the group and the people of the house begins after the group has knocked the door and requested entry for food and drink. Eventually, the Mari group are given entry and sustenance, there is more singing and capers and then after blessing the household, off to the next house.

The Meeting at the Border

This part of the event is what we believe to be unique to Chepstow. At around 6.30pm. The Wassail group and the Mari Lwyd group gather at the border (middle of the old iron bridge) where they greet each other and exchange flags in a gesture of friendship and unity between them. The Welsh then invite the English to join them in Wales in their merrymaking and the Mari Lwyd. This is best viewed from the bandstand riverbank.

The Ceilidh 

Band to be confirmed. In 2009 we are planning a country dance ceilidh to be held at The Drill Hall after the Mari lwyd ceremony. There will be a bar and ample parking. Details to follow.  

If you have any interest in the above proceedings and would like to be involved at any level, please contact the organisers

Two Rivers Folk Festival Chepstow

STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY

Mike Lewis 07870 611 979