Jubilee Wood

Hinton St George Jubilee Woods Trust

The Trust was established in 2012 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by providing opportunities for the community to enjoy, observe and help conserve the natural world.
Thanks to a generous donation, 3.3 acres of land (part of the former Scott’s Nursery, opposite St George’s Hall) was purchased in perpetuity for the village in 2012 and was the Trusts first project. Thanks to a grant from the Forestry Commission this land has been developed into Jubilee Wood, with over 3000 trees and shrubs and Community Orchard of more than 150 apple trees. It is the first public wood in the village, offering opportunities for dog walking and other leisure activities, nature trails, traditional celebrations and an outdoor classroom for the village school.
The wood has been used for traditional Wassail Celebrations in January each year, often followed by a barn dance in St George’s Hall. In addition, Oak Apple Day celebrations have been held on the late May Bank Holiday Monday most years. These celebrations include demonstrations of traditional woodland skills, animal and bird displays, games and tractor rides etc.

Date for Your Diary – Jubilee Wood Wassail, 17 Jan 2026

Come and join in the fun at our annual Jubilee Wood Wassail on Saturday 17 January. This free event will start at 5.15pm and will feature the Lyme Morris with Lymosaurus, a candle lit procession, wassail songs and, of course, free mulled cider and apple juice (courtesy of the Lord Poulett Arms). Bring something along to make a loud cacophony to frighten away the evil spirits and help the Lord of Misrule in encouraging a bumper crop of apples in the Jubilee Wood orchard in 2026.

Volunteers

Thanks to the generous support of the Parish Council, The Reading Room Trust and South Somerset District Council we have been able to use contactors to to develop and maintain the wood. However, much the work has also been undertaken by our enthusiastic team of village volunteers, particularly the development of the Community Orchard.

Charles II attends Hinton St George Oak Apple Day

Oak Apple Day, which falls on the 29th May, used to be a public holiday created to celebrate the restoration of King Charles II in 1660 and although it ceased to be a public holiday in the nineteenth century it is still celebrated in many parts of England. For the past few years Oak Apple Day has been marked by a day of festivities in Jubilee Wood on the late May Bank Holiday.
Inspired by these celebrations, two village residents, Caroline van den Berg and David Adams donated a special oak tree to the wood. This tree was a direct descendent of the famous Boscobel House Royal Oak in which the future King Charles II hid after the battle of Worcester in 1651.
As centrepiece of this year’s Oak Apple Day celebrations Caroline wrote, directed and performed in a special re-enactment of the escape of the future King Charles II from the roundheads in 1651. Charles, played by Katie Tyszka, arrived on horse, accompanied by Colonel Careless, played by Tina Cogen. After a brief skirmish with roundheads he hid behind the small newly planted Boscobel Oak, making use of a stepladder, before escaping to France and finally returning triumphant as king.
The event was thoroughly enjoyed by many of the 150 or so visitors to Oak Apple Day, and is sure to become a regular event at future celebrations and maybe one day the tree will have grown large enough for the future king to really hide in.

Jubilee Wood Wassail and Barn Dance 2017

Over 100 adults, children and dogs braved the cold weather on Saturday 21st Jan for the annual Jubilee Wood Wassail celebrations. The proceedings were opened by the Wood patron, Jan Goddard-Watts, who switched on the lights in the centre of the Wood. After the attendees had been fortified by mulled cider and apple juice the Lord of Misrule, Nigel Hayler, led a candle lit lantern procession to the centre of the Wood, accompanied by the Babylon Border Morris and the barn dance band, Rapscallion. There followed morris dancing and the singing of wassail songs before the traditional Wassail celebrations around the guardian apple tree. The evening concluded with a cacophony of sound to drive out the devils and wake the trees to produce bumper apple harvest for 2017.
Following on from the Wassail, there was a sell out barn dance in St George’s Hall. There was enthusiastic dancing to Rapscallion, and in the interval a two-course supper was proceeded by a Mummers’ Play performed by Babylon Border Morris.

Jubilee Wood Wassail – Saturday 20th January 2018

Over 100 adults and children braved the cold weather on Saturday 20th Jan for the annual Jubilee Wood Wassail celebrations. The proceedings were opened by the Wood patron, Jon Goddard-Watts, who switched on the lights in the centre of the Wood. After the attendees had been fortified by mulled cider and apple juice and hot dogs the excellent new Lord of Misrule, Rosamund Annetts, led a candle lit lantern procession to the centre of the Wood, accompanied by the Uplyme Morris, their band and the Stanchester Quire. There followed morris dancing and the singing of songs before the traditional Wassail celebrations around the guardian apple tree. The evening concluded with a cacophony of sound to drive out the devils and wake the trees to produce bumper apple harvest for 2018.

Oak Apple Day 2018

This year’s Oak Apple Day, held on Monday 28 May, was the best yet. We were fortunate to have perfect weather and large numbers of adults and children visited the record number of stalls and events. The Jubilee Woods Trust ran several traditional games, the cream teas stall and the ever popular prosecco and cider bar. Other stalls included those from the Honey Bees, Hinton Pre-school and Hinton Harvest. Woodland themed events included willow weaving, pole lathe demonstrations and make your own hazel and willow garden pyramids. The was a traditional gypsy caravan and Brian Cornelius provided musical entertainment. For the first time there was an exhibition of bird paintings and other photographs by Hilary Burn and her husband David. The visiting alpacas were very popular as were Garwynn’s Reptiles and Bugs with many visitors handling their display of tarantula spiders, lizards and pythons. The Uplyme Morris provided further musical and dancing entertainment during the afternoon and for the first time there was summer Morris dancing in the centre of the wood.
Thanks to the many volunteers, too numerous to mention by name, who helped with the event and to Yarcombe Woodland Products who kindly loaned picnic tables.

Wassail and Barn Dance – Saturday 26th January 2019

A splendid time was had by all despite the fact that the Wassail had to be moved into the hall as it was too slippery underfoot for Uplyme Morris to perform safely. With further rain and wind forecast for the evening the last-minute decision to abandon the wood in favour of the warmth and dry of the hall turned out to be a wise one!
The change in venue for the Wassail led to some very quick-thinking and improvisation from our excellent Lord of Misrule who led the proceedings. We were treated to some very energetic dancing from Uplyme Morris and accomplished traditional music and Wassail songs from Rapscallion, all washed down with a warming cup of mulled cider and mulled apple juice.
The Wassail finished with the traditional blessing of the Guardian Apple Tree (which, on this occasion, was a large branch brought from the wood!). The offerings were made by four young children from the audience and, of course, we all joined in the usual cacophony of sound to frighten away the evil spirits in the hope of a bumper harvest.
The Barn Dance followed and was ably led by Dick Carlyon, the caller for Rapscallion. There was lots of dancing and good cheer with food and plenty of wine, cider and beer!
Our very great thanks go to Uplyme Morris; Rapscallion; Rosamund Annetts, our very own Lord of Misrule; as well as all the many helpers, too numerous to mention; those who baked wonderful puddings; and to Kenton Bourne who provided the home-brewed cider.

Caroline van den Berg
Jubilee Wood Committee

Jubilee Wood Wassail Saturday 18th January 2020

We were rewarded with a beautiful cold, clear evening for this year’s Jubilee Wood Wassail celebrations on Saturday 18th January. Having been warmed by spicy mulled cider and apple juice, our guests joined the procession, led by the Lord of Misrule and Lyme Morris along a candlelit path to the centre of the wood and the guardian apple tree. Here we were entertained by the excellent music and dancing of Lyme Morris who invited us to sing wassail songs and join a ring dance with hilarious consequences- it did also warm us all up! Finally, the Lord of Misrule supervised the wassail ceremony for the guardian tree with the help of some young visitors who presented offerings of cider and toast. The evening concluded with a cacophony of sound to frighten the devil away and ensure a good apple harvest this year.
Wassail! To our brilliant Lord of Misrule Rosamund Annetts and to Perry’s Cider and Derek Esp for sponsoring our mulled cider this year. Many thanks also to all those who came along and supported this event.

Celebrations at Hinton St. George Platinum Jubilee Picnic, Fri 3rd June 2022

Villagers and visitors enjoyed a fun-packed day to celebrate the Queens’s Platinum Jubilee in the Jubilee Wood on Friday 3rd June. All the hard work behind the scenes paid off and after some uncertain forecasts, the sun shone on the day. The Jubilee Wood was looking its best and the marquees were decked out with celebratory bunting.
With an abundance of patriotic red, white and blue costumes, picnickers flooded into the Wood with baskets, bottles and picnic paraphernalia. Turnout exceeded the most optimistic expectations, so the food and drink stalls did a roaring trade. There was no shortage of participants for the games and everyone was royally entertained by the band and disco.
So many helped to create such a memorable day that it’s impossible to name everyone, but special thanks must go to Nigel & Sheila Hayler, Red Kyte, Baz, Veronica Voss, Tash & Amanda Kahn-Davis, the Lord Poulett Arms, the Parish Council and South Somerset District Council.

Jubilee Wood Wassail – Saturday 15th January 2022

We were delighted to once again host the Jubilee Wood Wassail on Saturday 15th January, having missed out in 2021 due to COVID restrictions. Having been warmed by spicy mulled cider and apple juice, well over 100 people joined the procession, led by the Lord of Misrule and Lyme Morris along a candlelit path to the centre of the wood and the guardian apple tree. Here we were entertained by the excellent Lyme Morris who danced enthusiastically and accompanied our rousing wassail songs. The Lord of Misrule’s Wassail ceremony ended with the presentation of cider and toast to the guardian tree by some young volunteers, followed by a cacophony of sound to frighten the devil away and ensure a good apple harvest this year. To conclude, Lyme Morris invited everyone to join in an energetic ring dance before leading us back along the candlelit path.
Wassail! To our brilliant Lord of Misrule Rosamund Annetts, our car park marshallsand to The Lord Poulett Arms who kindly supplied us with cider and apple juice. Many thanks also to everyone who supported this event and made it such a success – we look forward to a bumper crop of apples this year!

Jubilee Wood Wassail – Saturday 21st January 2023

The annual Jubilee Wood Wassail took place on the evening of Saturday 21st January. Having been warmed by spicy mulled cider and apple juice, kindly supplied by the Lord Poulett Arms, about 150 people joined the procession, led by the Lord of Misrule, Rosamund Annett, and Lyme Morris along a candlelit path to the centre of the wood and the guardian apple tree. Here we were entertained by the excellent Lyme Morris who danced enthusiastically and accompanied our rousing wassail songs. The Lord of Misrule’s Wassail ceremony ended with the presentation of cider and toast to the guardian tree by some young volunteers, followed by a cacophony of sound to frighten the devil away and ensure a good apple harvest this year. To conclude, Lyme Morris invited everyone to join in an energetic ring dance before leading us back along the candlelit path.
Many thanks also to everyone who helped with and supported this event and made it such a success – Hinton looks forward to a bumper crop of apples this year!

Jubilee Wood Apple Day – Sunday 15th October 2023

We were blessed with a beautiful Autumn day for our very first celebration of apples in Jubilee Wood on Sunday afternoon, 15th October which was well attended. Apple juicing was very popular with all ages and as well as enjoying tea and apple cake, visitors were also able to taste different varieties of apple. Children had fun collecting and naming leaves from five trees with the aid of Woodland Trust Leaf iDials and solving the puzzle of the mystery apple.
Many thanks to Tash Khan-Davis and Wilf Veevers for their help and for all those who supported this event.
Jubilee Wood Wassail – Saturday 20th January 2024
Having been warmed by spicy mulled cider and apple juice, kindly supplied by the Lord Poulett Arms, up to150 people joined the procession, led by the Lord of Misrule, Rosamund Annetts, and Lyme Morris along a candlelit path to the centre of the wood and the guardian apple tree. Here we were entertained by the excellent Lyme Morris and their Jurassic mascot, Lymosaurus, who danced enthusiastically and accompanied our rousing wassail songs. The Lord of Misrule’s wassail ceremony ended with the presentation of cider and toast to the guardian tree by some young volunteers, followed by a cacophony of sound to frighten the devil away and ensure a good apple harvest this year. To conclude, Lyme Morris invited everyone to join in an energetic ring dance before leading us back along the candlelit path.
Many thanks also to everyone who helped with and supported this event and made it such a success.

Jubilee Wood Wassail – Saturday 20th January 2024

Having been warmed by spicy mulled cider and apple juice, kindly supplied by the Lord Poulett Arms, up to150 people joined the procession, led by the Lord of Misrule, Rosamund Annetts, and Lyme Morris along a candlelit path to the centre of the wood and the guardian apple tree. Here we were entertained by the excellent Lyme Morris and their Jurassic mascot, Lymosaurus, who danced enthusiastically and accompanied our rousing wassail songs. The Lord of Misrule’s wassail ceremony ended with the presentation of cider and toast to the guardian tree by some young volunteers, followed by a cacophony of sound to frighten the devil away and ensure a good apple harvest this year. To conclude, Lyme Morris invited everyone to join in an energetic ring dance before leading us back along the candlelit path.
Many thanks also to everyone who helped with and supported this event and made it such a success.

High Jinks in the Jubilee Wood – Sunday 30th June 2024

On the afternoon of Sunday 30th June, 28 people assembled in the centre of the Jubilee Wood to read the whole of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to celebrate midsummer (a little late!).
Shakespeare’s slightly bonkers comedy provided lots of laughs and there were fine performances from Nigel Hayler as Bottom and Rosamund Annetts as Puck (Robin Goodfellow) as well as a host of other excellent readers – almost everybody had a part to read (excepting Rosemary Tout’s dog!).
At the interval, we all enjoyed wonderful strawberries, picked that morning at Cheddar at 7 o’clock and collected by Tian Cogan, served with liberal helpings of cream and all washed down with plenty of prosecco.
The cast included two American visitors who were at the first reading 8 years ago and happened by chance to be here again for this year’s event. They now think that every English village lays on such events at midsummer!
We shall repeat it in a few years’ time.

Jubilee Wood Wassail – Saturday 18th January 2025

2025 marked the 10 th anniversary of the Hinton St George Wassail and a good crowd enjoyed the spicy mulled cider and apple juice, kindly supplied by the Lord Poulett Arms. A procession, led by the Lady of Misrule, Rosamund Annetts, and Lyme Morris with their mascot Lymosaurus processed along a candlelit path to the centre of the wood and the guardian apple tree. Here we were entertained by enthusiastic Morris dancing and rousing wassail songs. The Lady of Misrule’s closing wassail ceremony faced a problem when it was discovered that the toast intended for the guardian apple tree had disappeared. Either the evil spirits or a hungry dog had run off with it! All ended well when a speedy volunteer rushed home to replenish the stocks and some young helpers were then able to present cider and toast to the guardian tree in the traditional manner. This was then followed by a cacophony of sound to frighten the evil spirits (or dog) away and ensure a good apple harvest this year. To conclude, Lyme Morris invited everyone to join in an energetic ring dance before we all walked back along the candlelit path.
Many thanks also to everyone who helped with and supported this event and made it such a success.
Don Morecombe

If you are interested in joining the volunteer team please contact Don Morecombe, call: 01460 763 30, email: morecombes@gmail.com