Traditional wassail takes place in Thrupp Community Orchard

Participants last night took part in the ancient celebration and its rituals, which included drinking from a communal wassail bowl. 

The group also took part in the wassail song and the wassail hullabalo - which included banging pots and pans. 

Wassailing is a twelfth night tradition with pagan roots and has been practised in Britain for centuries.

The event started at Stroud Brewery and carried on at Thrupp Community Orchard. 

During the wassailing, master of ceremonies Martin Price attached toast to an old apple tree in the orchard. 

The tradition is aimed to encourage the spirits into ensuring a good harvest for the following season.

All photos by Simon Pizzey - for more pictures see our gallery. 

Master of ceremonies Martin Price attaching toast to the old apple tree during the wassailing - photo by Simon Pizzey (Image: Simon Pizzey)

Ernie, eight, banging his saucepan to frighten away evil spirits - photo by Simon Pizzey (Image: Simon Pizzey)

The group travelling to Thrupp Community Orchard - photo by Simon Pizzey (Image: Simon Pizzey)

Anita Whitfield drinks cider from the wassail sharing cup - photo by Simon Pizzey (Image: Simon Pizzey)

Wassailing the old apple tree at Thrupp Community Orchard (Image: Simon Pizzey)