Winter traditions
- J A Gilbert
- Dec 13, 2017
- 3 min read
If you asked the average person in Britain to name a festival or tradition that takes place during the winter, their first response would probably be Christmas. Whilst that certainly is the best known and the most commercial, it definitely is not the only one.
An example that may slip past the attention of most people is National Tree Week, which takes place at the beginning of December. As part of that celebration the Weald and Downland Museum near Chichester holds a tree dressing festival. Members of the public can come and decorate an old jam jar, which will then be used as a lantern. A procession winds its way through the museum’s grounds as dark is falling, before gathering around the aspen trees and then hanging the lights on the branches. It’s an ideal occasion for families of all ages and as a by-product, it is a way of getting children interested in history.
Weather permitting; we try to attend, especially if the weather is cold and frosty. This year there was the added attraction of seeing the museum’s new entrance block and restaurant. These two buildings have been placed on the bank of the millpond, so on sunny days you can sit outside and watch the ducks.
It was too cold for that on the day we visited, so we sat indoors instead, by one of the panoramic windows. Lunch was delicious, but we made sure we left room for a glass of mulled ale/apple juice and a spicy biscuit later. These were served in one of the old building, where we could sit next to a log fire.
Two groups of Morris Men kept the visitors entertained during the day time, including our old favourites Mythago and some of the museum staff were carrying out their usual demonstrations of old skills, including this blacksmith.
The origins of tree dressing may be related to the Green Man figure, which in turn refers to natural vegetative deities. He is a symbol of rebirth and represents the cycle of growth each spring.
In some parts of the country, the winter solstice is still marked, such as Stonehenge, although that revives the argument about whether the stones are aligned on the summer or winter solstice. For my part, I’m inclined to think the winter solstice is more likely, as I think our ancestors would have wanted to mark the point when the days have reached their shortest length and will finally begin to stretch out again. After that, spring is on its way again and the cycle of re-growth continues.
Another winter tradition, which is still celebrated locally, is wassailing, which takes place in orchards and is intended to ensure a bountiful harvest in the autumn. The appropriate words also have to be chanted and songs sung (usually followed by drinking!) as this will then frighten away any evil spirits. In some places, this is also accompanied by the banging of pots and pans and even firing guns through the branches. Part of the ceremony also includes spiking a piece of toast soaked in cider onto the tree branches. Traditionally this takes place on Twelfth Night, so the 5th or 6th January and it is therefore one of the first festivities of the New Year.
With that in mind, I wish you all seasons greetings and a prosperous New Year!
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