Sittingbourne’s new community orchard opens Saturday

People are invited to sing, dance and drink at Sittingbourne’s Wassail celebration this Saturday (1 Feb) at Lakeview Village Hall.

Swale Borough Council, Kent Wildlife Trust, Swale in Bloom and Sittingbourne in Bloom are putting on the free event to invite a fruitful year ahead.

Funded by the council and Sittingbourne in Bloom, the free event will celebrate the creation of a new community orchard at Lakeview Village Hall in Sittingbourne.

The wassail will be held at the new East Hall Community Orchard on Saturday 1 February from 12pm until 7pm.

Activities include ancient apple walks and talks, free lunch between 1-2pm, tree planting between 2-4pm and a fire-side wassail from 4.30pm with mulled drinks, cake, apple fritters and singing.




Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:

“We’re pleased to be throwing this fun community event to celebrate the new orchard with a historic wassail.

“Volunteers have worked hard to save the ancient Bramley trees in the orchard so celebrating and wassailing for a successful year ahead is the perfect way to say a big thank you to those involved and provide entertainment for local families.

“Wassail’s are a tradition dating back more than five centuries and are popular in cider producing areas of the country.

“We are known for our orchards, apples and other fruit growing in Swale, so this time-honoured tradition is the perfect way to celebrate the new orchard.”

People wanting to take part in the wassail should bring torches, check the weather and wear appropriate outdoor clothing. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.