As an artist based in a semi-rural, ex-mining village in South Nottinghamshire, I see a key part of my role as an artist as sharing art & creative events with local community.
In January 2025 I worked in collaboration with Cotgrave Community Garden and local community volunteer Nicki Crane to lead a revival of the tradition of Wassailing, in the Community Garden.
What is a Wassail in a Community Garden?
A Wassail is a tradition thought to originate from the Welsh borders and Cider making counties. It is a celebration to wake up the fruit trees in an orchard, and bless them for a good harvest the following Autumn.
Heading up our procession (where as much noise as possible is made to wake up the trees and scare away evil spirits) was ‘The Green Man’ who has become a symbol of the Community Garden. I sculpted him from plaster bandages, tin foil, fabric, ribbons and acrylic paint (and plan to add to him considerably next year to make a more imposing figure!)
I led our blessing to the trees, which was adapted from traditional blessings and involved a short poem recited by everyone present as a group, followed by spilling mulled apple juice (not cider, it was a family event after all!) on the roots of the trees, and toasting bread on an open fire. This was then used to ‘toast’ the trees, by literally hanging toast onto the branches.
Wassail themed drop-in art workshops were available to attendees free of charge.
Why revive old traditions?
Wassailing is non-denominational, it has become popular in Pagan circles but also has appeal to anyone interested in folk traditions and British history. It’s a way of bringing communities together through mutual curiosity and a promise of a joy and laughter through group activity during the bleakness of winter!
As an agriculturally linked tradition it helps connect people to the changing seasons and thoughts of celebrating future growth and harvest, it’s a banishment of winter woes and a celebration of nature and hopefulness for the future. My creative collaborations with the Community Garden centre on nature education and connection.
Our Wassail raised awareness of the Community Garden as a charitable organisation and gave local people a reason to get together and experience something new. The start of what we hope will become a popular yearly tradition for the local area.
Art Workshops
I planned the workshop to be themed around trees and new-growth. For young children I provided an activity of stamping leaf shapes onto specially designed Green Man and ‘Wake up Trees’ work sheets. For older children and adults I demonstrated creating ‘Leaf Mandalas’ using watercolour paints, participants explored their own interpretations of the theme and some worked intuitively to create nature spirit imagery.
“Charlotte has a fantastic skill of creating art workshops to engage and inspire all ages and abilities. She is kind, encouraging and patient with participants, our community loves the experience of Charlotte’s sessions.” –
Samie Mathers – Project Lead at Cotgrave Community Garden