Snow here today, enough to be a nuisance

Yesterday I was far too smug about the weather, pointing out the lovely sunshine we had enjoyed and comparing this with the snowfalls elsewhere - particularly in the south east. Should have kept quiet because the white stuff has been in evidence here today. Not that it has amounted to much but it is nuisance value one can say making things a little treacherous underfoot. Walked up the hill to the station in the early evening to meet a friend off the train and discovered that it had been bright and sunny in Exeter! It would appear that the showers plaguing my area today were mainly affecting West Devon and East Cornwall. The wind has dropped which is good from the point of view that the snow hasn't drifted; the downside is that today's showers have hung around rather than quickly passing through.

It had been my intention to go to the Wassail at Cotehele this morning but with the bitter cold I have to say that I chickened out. I'm told that there were lots of people there and that they had snow as well. Last year 'The Rubber Band' and friends led the (musical) procession up to the orchard but I can't imagine their instruments being happy about being in the snow so I don't know how they managed today. Wassails traditionally I think take place early in the new year - I suspect that the timing of this one has something to do with the National Trust's commercial considerations. Christmas is an important time for them at Cotehele because the main hall in the house is open so that people can go in and see the magnificent garland of dried flowers that is hung there every year and of course participants in the Wassail just might make some Christmas purchases in the Trust's shop!

I am wondering now if this winter will be like the last one, rather colder than the mild damp ones that have become the norm in recent years. I said in a recent post that I am undecided over the question of man made climate change but if this winter is cold overall and we have another summer lacking in sizzling temperatures then whatever government is in power will have one heck of a job convincing the population that 'global warming' is here. The sceptics will be very much in the ascendant.

Wassailing and a village pantomime

Yesterday proved very enjoyable for me, not Christmas Shopping, not watching 'Strictly Come Dancing' but attending two pleasing local events. In the morning I picked up three members of 'The Rubber Band' (two flautists and one ukulele player) and we set off for Cotehele House. Following on from the wonderful work done by artist Mary Martin and her partner James Armstrong Evans in preserving the old apple varieties of the Tamar Valley a 'Mother Orchard' has been created on the Cotehele Estate to follow on from what Mary and James have achieved. This has led to the old custom of wassailing taking place annually at the orchard.

So what is 'wassailing' you may ask. The process will vary slightly according to local custom but in essence it's all about waking up the trees and frightening any evil spirits away. Congregating near the main house a procession of I would think several dozen wended its way through the upper garden to the orchards at the top of the estate. We were led by the 'oss, a local lady dressed inside a horse type costume, followed by 'The Rubber Band' members and friends playing in their usual inimitable fashion and many others wanting to share the fun. And fun it was. Hilary, the town crier for our Parish, said (or shouted) out a welcome to one and all, there was a wassail song to sing, and incantations to repeat at the oldest and youngest tree. At the end of the incantations everyone was invited to make the greatest racket possible to frighten away any evil spirits: so there was much thumping of drums, blowing of whistles, clashing of biscuit tins, banging of dustbin lids and anything else to add to the din! Oh and apple juice was gently poured round these two trees to hopefully encourage a good crop - think I've got that right! More music as the procession returned to the House.

It was good to see photographers from at least two of our local press in attendance. Afterwards one of our flautists had to head off for Calstock Church to bell ring for a wedding but I still had two musicians with me - Liz played her ukulele in the car on the way home, much better than listening to a radio!

A very quick stop for a sandwich at home and then we were off to the popular village pantomime at Bere Ferrers. This year it was 'Little Red Riding Hood', my companion knows several of those involved in this production and my not having been to any sort of pantomime since ... well I really don't know when, I was very happy to do something different. Bere Ferrers is a small community tucked away at the bottom end of the deep peninsula that separates the Tamar and Tavy rivers and is a wonderful example of being relatively untouched, of retaining its character, of having a good community spirit. This panto illustrated the last point very well, one telling feature was the fact that the youngest cast member was just 4 years old, the oldest over 90!

Whether it's playing live music, acting out a pantomime or running a marathon, these are all examples of pursuits where your status or your wealth start to become irrelevant. As such all such activities are to be applauded in my book. Whilst it is fair to say one shouldn't be too parochial (I have been guilty of this on occasion) I do think it's so important to actively support what is happening in your own local area to some degree.

I have to say it was a very rewarding day - the first wassail I've attended and the first panto I've seen probably for decades. Yes an excellent days entertainment.