BBC Countryfile host Adam Henson recently expressed his sadness over the declining number of orchards near his residence in Gloucestershire, where he lives alongside his spouse, Charlie.
Discussing the ancient tradition of wassailing, which involves singing and dancing on Twelfth Night (January 5), Adam highlighted his satisfaction that despite the decrease in orchards in the region, wassailing continues to thrive.
In an article for Cotswold Life focusing on winter nature, Adam reminisced about the abundance of fruit orchards in Gloucestershire in the past, making it an ideal location for wassailing rituals.
He mentioned the historical practice of blessing trees on Twelfth Night to ensure a fruitful harvest, tracing its roots back to pagan customs. Adam noted that while the efficacy of warding off evil spirits is uncertain, traditional wassails always involved merry celebrations, bonfires, and indulging in farmhouse cider.
Expressing concern about the vanishing orchards in the Cotswolds, Adam’s remarks align with the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust’s warning regarding the impact of changing consumer behaviors and infrastructure on orchard numbers in the county.
The trust emphasized the importance of conserving and celebrating traditional orchards due to their ecological, genetic, heritage, and landscape significance. They highlighted that Gloucestershire has lost over 70% of its orchards in the last five decades due to shifts in agricultural practices and fruit retailing by supermarkets.
Adam previously emphasized the significance of trees in an article for the BBC Countryfile website, shedding light on misconceptions surrounding veteran trees and their crucial role in biodiversity and nature conservation.
He elaborated on the valuable ecosystem services provided by veteran trees, such as shelter for various wildlife species, including insects, birds, bats, and mammals. Adam underscored the essential role of veteran trees in supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna.
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