Tradition still burns bright
The old Sussex tradition of wassailing apple trees was upheld at Rye Foreign on Saturday when the annual ceremony took place at the Royal Oak pub.
Wassailing dates back to Saxon times and involves dowsing tree roots with cider and letting off loud bangs to wake the trees and ensure a good crop of apples the following autumn.
The event is organised every year by Whatlington man John Beeching. Other entertainment on the night included Border Morris dancing, traditional music and singing and a traditional Sussex Mummers Play.
Attending the event were members of Rye Bonfire Society.
Pictures by Mark Duncan and Stephen Pratt.