AROUND 400 people of all ages made as much noise as possible to ward off demons at the annual Wassail ceremony in Frieze Hill Community Orchard, Taunton.
The event on Saturday evening featured families with tambourines, whistles and saucepan lids, while there was also performances by the Big Noise Street Band and Taunton Thespians Mummers, who enacted the story of St George and the Dragon written especially for the occasion.
Orchard chairman Margaret Gibson said: "It was a wonderful evening and it was great to see lots of children having a fabulous time running around.
"They particularly enjoyed the Lord of the Misrule and the wassailing."
The event, which started in 2005, is intended to wake up the trees and encourage a fruitful harvest, as well as driving away demons.
It coincided with the orchard being awarded Centenary Field in Trust status.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here