When we hear of a re-opening date we’ll post that here too.

This Pagan blessing of the trees is said to ensure a good crop of cider apples for the following year’s harvest. The best or oldest tree in the orchard is chosen as a guardian to represent them all. Pieces of toast soaked in cider are placed in the tree and cider is poured around the base of it. Shot guns are fired into the top most branches and buckets are beaten, the aim being to scare away evil spirits and wake the sleeping trees. Some believe that if the trees aren’t wassailed there will be no harvest.

This year there are more Morris sides attending than ever before and the introduction of Civil War re-enactors is set to make the torch-lit procession to the nominated apple tree a real spectacle.

Nigel Smith the Landlord of the Fleece says ‘The Wassail is the perfect antidote to the winter blues and a great event for families and friends of all ages. It’s great that we’re able to host such a traditional yet vibrant event to bring a bit of cheer to the cold winter nights. Wassail!’

Mulled cider and delicious food will be available to ‘warm the cockles’ and the folk singers that frequent the pub will be adding to the traditional fun. Join in and help make the Fleece’s homemade cider in 2012 the best yet!

For more information please contact Nigel or Sadie at the Fleece Inn on 01386 831173 or 07940731137 or email us at info@thefleeceinn.co.uk

On a brighter note, following the session on 29th December, we have been offered “The Old Beams” in Stourport on Severn as our “2nd Friday” venue. The inaugural “Friday Session” will take place on 13th January 2012.

Directions (for those who haven’t been before):

From Worcester direction: A449 as far as “Mitre Oak” roundabout. Turn left onto A4025 to Stourport. When you reach Stourport, follow signs for Great Witley A451. Cross the river and take 1^st turn on the left (leisure centre and swimming pool) – Harold Davies Drive, “The Old Beams” is on your right.

From the “Rose and Crown” Shrawley/Holt Heath direction : Continue on the B4196 towards Stourport (approx 5mls/8 kms), and turn right to town centre at “T” junction with A451. Turn right by the pedestrian crossing into Harold Davies Drive (access road to leisure centre and swimming pool),approx 400 metres after joining A451. “The Old Beams” is on your right.

From Birmingham/ Kidderminster direction: Approaching Kidderminster on the A456, go straight over the traffic lights at “Land Oak”. Turn left onto ring road and follow A451 to Stourport and then signs to GreatWitley A451. Take the 1^st turn on the left (leisure centre and swimmingpool), as soon as you have crossed the bridge (by the pedestrian traffic lights), “The Old Beams” is on your right.

Pub address : Harold Davies Drive, Dunley Road, STOURPORT on SEVERN.: DY13 0AA Telephone : 01299 878 833

On Wednesday 23 November, 5-8pm, Hartlebury Castle are holding a Christmas Fair, and The Night Watch are providing the music. Hartlebury Castle is approximately 5 miles south of Kidderminster, just off the A449 main road to Worcester in the direction of Stourport on Severn. From the A449, follow the brown and white signs for the County Museum into the village of Hartlebury. Sat Nav users should key in DY11 7XZ.

“You may recall I marked the above session with a “please check” notice due to there being an imminent change of landlord at the R & C. Kevin has let me know that there is indeed some doubt as to whether the pub will be open this coming Friday, and as a consequence there is a change of venue for this 2nd Friday session. Details are :

New venue : The Hundred House, Main Road, Great Witley WR6 6HS Tel : 01299 896 888 (hotel). The hotel is on the main A451 Stourport-Tenbury road at the junction with  the A443 Worcester-Tenbury Road.

If you need more info you can contact Kevin Sanders by texting to 07989 668263.

In aid of ATE Super Weeks Imaginative Holidays For Children.

The Whole Caboodle Electric Ceilidh Band (caller Barry Walmsley)

Admission – £3 per person on the door only.

Postcode for satnavs : WR9 0DT (Sandys Road off old main road on left hand side opposite The Bakery).