Traditions Revived

As well as nurturing many ‘old’ heritage varieties of Cornish apples, St Ives Community Orchard has revived a few traditional celebrations, folklore and old ways in St Ives.

It marks the passing of each season with gatherings such as Wassail, Beltane, Apple day, Solstice and Equinox events plus re-introducing seed saving and swapping, scarecrows, Cornish wrassling alongside gathering history, stories, songs and folklore of orchard and the town.

Helping to provide a home for Cornish & Celtic traditions that might otherwise fade, keeping them alive and evolving and helping to rekindle a sense of belonging and rhythm that once pulsed through Cornish life. By marking the seasons, people become more deeply involved in natural cycles, the land, weather and their natural environment. Also strengthening community as each event invites open participation; anyone can drum, sing, dance or join the procession as well as getting involved in organising, costume making & art installations.

These revived traditions now add to the town’s already colourful calendar of traditional events such as Feast and it’s guise dancing, St Ives Mayday and the Throwing of the Silver ball.

Waking the Trees with Wassail

One of the more unusual of the Orchard’s seasonal celebrations is the Wassail, a joyful midwinter ritual to “wake” the apple trees and bless the coming year’s harvest.

As described on the Wassail page:

“This traditional event involves much toasting of the trees with cider from last year’s crop, singing, dancing and actual toast! … Pieces of toast sprinkled with cider are hung on the trees to feed the robins, and much drumming and singing is done to awaken the apple trees.”

Since the first Orchard Wassail in 2017, the event has become a highlight of the winter season, toasting the trees with song and cider shared beneath the trees.

Adding to the magic, the wassail has drawn in the Osses (hobby-horse figures) to the celebration. As the Osses, Guise Dancing and Wassailling page explains:

“Some very strange-looking creatures, called ‘Osses, have appeared … looking majestic and wild in their tatters and tassels.”

From Spring to Summer: Beltane, Maypoles and Mayday

When the days lengthen and the orchard bursts into blossom, the community gathers again to mark Beltane – the ancient Celtic fire festival that celebrates fertility, growth and the halfway point between spring and summer, a celebration of the earth’s renewal.

The Beltane Celebrations page invites everyone to join:

“Celebrate the turning of the seasons with live music, maypole dancing, seed and plant swaps, children’s activities, food and fire.”

Bright ribbons, flower crowns and the laughter of maypole dancers fill the air, echoing customs that have been part of rural communities for centuries.

Apple Day and the Harvest

Come autumn, the Orchard celebrates the season’s abundance with Apple Day, a harvest festival that brings together apple pressing, music, games, and local produce. Visitors can enjoy pressing and tasting freshly squeezed juice, enjoy apple games & crafts, live music, apple pie competitions plus lots of food & drink including cider made from our own apples.

It’s a joyful gathering and a time to give thanks for the harvest.

Solstices, Equinoxes and Seed Swapping

The Orchard marks the passing of each season with gatherings at the Solstices and Equinoxes. These moments of balance and turning are celebrated with music, storytelling, shared food, and reflection.

At the Winter Solstice, fires and lanterns bring warmth and light to the shortest day, while at the Summer Solstice, people gather to share music and watch the sun set over St Ives Bay. Information about these celebrations can be found on the Winter Solstice page.

The Spring Equinox is also the time for the Orchard’s popular Seed Swap, where gardeners and growers come together to exchange seeds, ideas and inspiration for the year ahead. As detailed on the Spring Equinox Seed Swap page, this event promotes biodiversity, community gardening and the ancient tradition of sharing and saving seeds.

Scarecrows, Folklore, Cornish Dancing & Heritage Crafts

One of the orchard’s charming revivals has been bringing back the scarecrows. Workshops invite families and groups to make their own scarecrows, which are then displayed during the Beltane and Mayday celebrations. More about this can be found on the Scarecrows page.

Meanwhile, its Apple Folklore collection explores the myths and meanings woven around the humble apple tree, reminding us that the Orchard is not only a place of fruit but of story and tradition too.

The Orchard’s Core-chestra Collective has a strong focus on traditional folk songs, often adding lyrics so that anyone can join in singing and sometimes include Cornish dance lessons.

Workshops for heritage crafts with a focus on natural resources, such as basket weaving, older methods of building such as using cob and using more traditional tools such as scythes all contribute to saving and reviving traditions.

The aim is not just to preserve traditions, but to keep them alive and evolving, relevant to the modern community while rooted in the old ways.