A TRADITIONAL English custom has been brought to life in the South Lakes in a riotous celebration of colour, music, dance and damsons.

Keen to re-establish what was once a common sight in the English countryside, Crook Morris –a mixed morris-dancing group based in Kendal- staged a Wassailing ceremony to herald in a fruitful New Year for the region’s damson growers.

Wassailing, which is derived from old English and means good health, is the practise of dancing and singing around an apple tree in an attempt to frighten away evil spirits and waken the good spirits of the orchard to ensure an ample crop during the year ahead.

Although most commonly seen in the cider orchards of the West Country, Crook Morris decided to adapt the ceremony for the South Lakes and provide John Walkers delicious Lyth Valley damsons with a little extra encouragement.

“It was absolutely first rate,” said Crook Morris foreman, Martyn Harvey, who founded the club 27 years ago with fellow member Judy Malkin. “It is a similar idea to that of Harvest Festival and rush bearing. It sees people join together to celebrate the crop from the previous year and hope for a good harvest in the months ahead.”