NOT even the wintery weather could keep people away from enjoying the wassail in Dunster on Friday (January 17).

Students from Dunster First School kicked off the event with a mini-wassail in the Buttercross Community Orchard.

The children dipped their toast in apple juice before placing it on trees and banging their drums to scare the evil spirits away.

Cider flowed in the evening when the community gathered together to sing, dance and fire shotguns into the trees.

The wassail is a tradition used to scare aware evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the autumn.

A flaming torch procession around the village provided further fun.

Buttercross Community Orchard chairman Doug Challoner said: “It was a wonderful evening we had over 100 people attend making it the biggest and best year yet.

“Everyone seemed to enjoy it and the highlight for me was the music and entertainment.

“We had song sheets so everyone could join in and it just added to the evening.

“This is the third one we've done and I think it gets better each year so we'll struggle to top it next year.”

  • Get your copy of this week's West Somerset County Gazette out on Thursday (Janaury 23) for more pictures.