Wassail was an ancient tradition that celebrated the arrival of spring and awakened the apple and pear trees to encourage them to bear fruit. This year, The Blue Market proudly hosted Bermondsey’s 3rd Annual Wassail, organised by Trees for Bermondsey and the Rouel Blue Garden Club.
The 2025 Wassail coincided with the launch of the Bermondsey Literary Festival. The festivities began with a special event at Blue Anchor Library at 1.30pm, where noted crime historian Dr. Angela Buckley gave an illustrated talk to mark the opening of the festival.
From 2pm to 4.30pm, The Blue Market buzzed with free workshops for all the family, including:
- Lantern making with Frog Morris from Illuminate Bermondsey
- Crown and garland making with Trees for Bermondsey
- A drawing workshop with Rouel Blue Garden Club to help design a new mural for the lock-up in Rouel Estate Community Garden
- A Greening the Blue Repair Week Workshop featuring litter picking, recycling information, and a Book Swap celebrating the Literary Festival
- Wassail song and music practice, accompanied by some special guests
There was plenty more on offer, making it a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to get creative and take part.
At 4.30pm, the Green Man and a band of musicians led a lantern procession to Rouel Estate Community Orchard, where the Wassailing took place from 5pm to 6pm. Mulled cider and non-alcoholic fruit punch were served, and participants brought pots and wooden spoons, drums, bells, instruments, and horns to help rouse the spirits of the trees.
The Bermondsey Wassail was generously funded by Southwark Council’s Neighbourhoods Fund.
