A MID-WINTER celebration of folk traditions takes place in Stroud this weekend as the dark days of winter are brought to life with music, dance and drama.
The centrepiece is the old tradition of wassailing – wishing your neighbours good health and prosperity for the year to come – featuring the Stroud Wassail song and the Broad – a beast with horns!
The Wassailers will be performing around the town along with hordes of Morris dancers, arriving at the door of the Subscription Rooms to perform the Wassail at noon. This year they are joined by the International Mummers Festival – bringing Christmas mummers plays from across the country.
There will be displays, workshops, community singing and a procession and everyone is encouraged to join in the fun by putting on a fabulous disguise or a mask.
The Festival finishes with the 12th Night Revels – an evening emulating the entertainments and fun of medieval 12th Night celebrations. Visit www.stroudwassail.com for more information on the Stroud Wassail & Mummers Festival, which begins on Saturday 9 January from 10am.
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