We're off to an exciting start to the year, as in collaboration with our friends at The Ardagh, we're holding a wassail for Horfield Common's many wonderful fruit trees!

All the details are below, along with some words and music attached for the songs we'll be singing. If you play an instrument, come join in! 

Get practising, grab your pots and pans and we'll see you there!

Wassail at Horfield Common
Date: Saturday 17th January
Time: 5:30pm - 6:45pm (and longer!)
Location: Meet at the Cafe on the Common
Cost: Free, but bring money for drinks!
(In case of rain, the event will still go ahead under shelter in the Cafe on the Common)

5.30pm – Gather at the café
The café will be open, serving mulled cider and other warming drinks. Wassailers can pick up lyric and music sheets before we set off.

6.00pm – Procession to Horfield Common Orchard
We’ll head off together, singing and making joyful noise with pots, pans, and anything that rattles. At the orchard, we’ll hang toast in the branches and splash cider at the roots to bless the trees for the year ahead.
Once the trees on the Common have been suitably celebrated, we’ll continue to the small orchard at The Ardagh — and finally to the oldest apple tree on site for the traditional unaccompanied Old Apple Tree song. 

Around 6.45pm, back to the café for more mulled cider and a warm-up with friends and neighbours.

 Bring:
• Pots, pans, wooden spoons — anything to make a joyful racket
• Warm clothes
• Your best singing voice (enthusiasm counts more than accuracy)
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It’s a lovely, lively tradition and a brilliant way to brighten a winter evening together. See you there to toast the trees and the community! 
And a big thanks to The Ardagh for all their hard work and support with this event!

Lots of exciting projects underway to discuss!
Come help out with projects and share your view to keep the Common amazing. ​No commitment required - all welcome to attend all or part of the meeting.
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Please send anything you'd like to add to the agenda to [email protected]

Date: Saturday 10th January
Time: 10am-12pm
Place: The Garden Room, The Ardagh

Date: Saturday 14th March
Time: 10am-12pm
Place: The Garden Room, The Ardagh

30th November, 2pm - 4pm
Meet in the Garden Room at the Ardagh.
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Lots of exciting projects underway to discuss! Come help out with projects and share your view to keep the Common amazing. No commitment required - all welcome to attend all or part of the meeting.

25th October, 10am - 12pm
Meet at the entrance gate to the Ardagh site.

Date: Saturday 27th September
Time: 15:00 - 16:30pm
Free (suggested donation £2)

This will be a casual walk led by the Friends, where we'll walk the route together and share the knowledge of the trees and wildlife that went into making the Twelve Trees Trail leaflet. If you've not yet had a chance to try the Trail, or you're an avid fan and want more facts, it will be a great way to learn more about the wonderful trees of the Common!

All welcome and suitable for families. Please see the trail for details of the route and no worries if you can't complete the whole route with us. There will be 20 places on the walk and tickets are free (suggested donation of £2 if you're able to) - just email us at [email protected] to secure your place and be sent the event details.