Fine voice and good cheer for wassailers

SIX merry men took to the streets of Bodmin for a 12-hour drinking session – but it was all part of the town's rich tradition of wassailing on the 12th day of Christmas.

The troupe toured pubs, shops, people's houses and residential homes offering good cheer in a manner unique to Bodmin.

On the way, they collected money which will be donated to local charities.

For the first time in around 70 years, the men were armed with a wassail bowl.

The newly-commissioned vessel replaces one that disappeared sometime before the outbreak of the Second World War.

During the long day, beer was poured from the bowl into glasses for locals to enjoy, but not before an old Bodmin song was sung by the wassailers as they entered the various premises.

One of the troupe, Vic Legg, said the Wassailers' tradition of visiting homes was unique to Bodmin, and had started in 1624 when the town clerk, Nicholas Sprey, paid for a wassail cup which was to be taken to every mayor's house each year.

"We also have two songs which are unique to Bodmin which we sing when seeking entry to a house or pub, and another we sing on leaving," said Mr Legg.

"Having the new wassail bowl this year made a tremendous difference. For the first time in decades we were able to use a bowl as a focal point to the wassailing, with pub landlords and others filling it with beer.

"We were then able to pour the ale into glasses and offer it around to people.

"It generated a very good feeling and everyone enjoyed the day."

His wassailing colleague, Peter Marlow, added: "Home visiting is a unique custom to Bodmin, no other wassailers in the country do it.

"Everyone was appreciative. We surprised the people running the Portuguese shop, who wondered what was going on at first, but they soon got into it and enjoyed taking part,'' he added.

Both Vic and Pete hoped Bodmin Town Council would embrace the ancient tradition by exhibiting the new wassail bowl at Shire House.