RATBY COMMUNITY
ORCHARD
A year in the Community Orchard
Every year we organise a series of events to celebrate the Orchard or discover more about its environment. Everyone is welcome to come along and join us. And we welcome volunteers too!
Wassail
Since 2002 we have organised a 'Wassail' in the Orchard. This is usually held on the Saturday evening between Twelfth Night and Plough Monday. We meet in 'The Railway' on Station Road in Ratby, and then process together to the Orchard. En route we make a riotous sound by banging drums, saucepans or playing instruments.Torches are an essential!
On arrival we choose a tree to wassail. The 'Butler' leads us in the traditional ceremony.
Click on the button to go to our Wassail Page for more information.
Pond Dipping
Every August we organise a pond dipping. This is always popular with local families. We are grateful to Neill Talbot from Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust who has usually come along to help us identify our finds.
Click on the button to go to our Pond Dipping Page for more information.
Apple Day
To celebrate Apple Day we organise either an Apple Day Event or a Juicing Event in October of each year.
It's an opportunity for local people to come down and taste the apples, help us to make juice, and on the Apple Days there are Apple Themed Games and Activities too.
Click on the button to go to our Apple Day page for more information.