Burning the ashen faggot on Old Christmas Eve is a ceremony which has not died out in the village thanks to the Curry Rivel Wassailers pictured here from L to R, ‘Bart’ Jones, Chris David, Darren Cousins, Bill Richards, Gary Eagle, Roger David, Paul Willey, David Parfitt and Dick Horsey. Wassailing from the Anglo Saxon word ‘waeshael’ meaning ‘health be to you’ was originally practised to ensure the good health and prosperity of people and their crops.

The ashen faggot, the West Country version of the yule log was lit on Old Christmas Eve and kept alight through the twelve days of Christmas. As it died, the wassailers were already on their way to the orchards to toast the apple trees. The faggot was made by collecting long ash twigs, about 5 ft long, bound together with willows and tied with a fastening called a ‘rose’. The ashen faggot was reduced in size many years ago in order that it would fit on the smaller hearths. No one is certain of when the custom began but senior wassailer Bill Richards can trace his family’s involvement for over 150 years. Like his father Sid, Bill is pictured with the ashen faggot before placing it on the fire in the King William pub where everyone’s good health is toasted. For the wassailers this is the last stop in the village after several house calls have been made. Householders are treated to the singing of the Curry Rivel Wassail song and the wassailers are treated to drinks to lubricate their voices. All money collected is donated to local charity.  

“Wassail, Wassail all over the town,

            The ash it is white and the ale is brown,

            The bowl is made from the best barley

            O master and missus we done you no harm

Please hold fast this door and let us pass along”

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