More than 300 spectators to an event at historic Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon made a noisy Hullabaloo on Saturday- but it was all part of the plan.

It was a key part of the ancient tradition of Wassail to awaken the cider apple trees and to scare away evil spirits, to ensure a good harvest of fruit in autumn.

The ancient tradition was revived by the town’s Preservation Trust in 2017 and is celebrated at the nearby community orchard – named the Hen’s Orchard.

Within tradition a princess is appointed with coordinator of the event Nick Nicholls welcoming everyone and introducing Ren and Mai as the Wassail Princesses.

The two princesses then watched as entertainment began led by bagpiper 15-year-old Ruby Darbyshire, followed by Morris dancing from Holt Morris and their co-dancers Bell’s Angels.

On stage, The Hen’s Orchard Wassail song, written by Bradford on Avon-based musician Anne Gregson, with input from poet Keri Hendy, was performed by Chris Timson and Anne Gregson

More than 300 spectators gathered around to watch the Widcombe Mummers taking to the makeshift stage outside the Saxon Tithe Barn performing their play.

As darkness fell everyone formed a procession following the Wassail princesses, musicians singers and dancers to the Hen’s Orchard for the Wassail.

Children were invited to pour cider on the tree roots to encourage their growth and others placed cider toast on the branches to encourage small birds, especially robins the traditional guardians of orchards.

A loud signal sounded to mark the start of the hullabaloo - making a din to scare away evil signals and nasty bugs -with people banging saucepans and similar items to raise the level of noise.

Then the group chanted: Young Fruit trees we wassail thee, and hoping thou will bear, Hat full, cap full, three bushel bag full and a little heap under the stairs.

The word Wassail comes from the Old Norse Waes hael or Waes bu hael, meaning “be of good health”.

The purpose of wassailing is to awaken the cider apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit in autumn.

The ancient tradition was revived in Bradford by the town’s Preservation Trust in 2017, and is celebrated at the community orchard – named the Hen’s Orchard in honour of Elizabeth Stephenson and Katharine MacKean - two of the Preservation Trust founders – known as the Hens after The China Hen, the antiques shop they used to run in Woolley Street.