Tied to the traditional end of Christmas festivities on Twelfth Night the Wassail has roots that almost certainly go back to pre-Christian times. And it’s still alive and well in the orchards along the Daffodil Line. So this year, why not see in the new year in unique and traditional fashion, and join the Wassail in Much Marcle.
Along with our good intentions to lose weight, do more exercise, and cut down on the vino – at least for a month or so – most of us these days want to do something positive for our community and the planet.
Did you know that whichever direction you are coming from the Daffodil Line gives you around an hour in Newent, before your return journey? Longer if you like of course, but an hour is the perfect time for a wander around the lake and a chance to admire the nature-inspired sculptures along the way.
The Big Apple Harvestime weekend is our own unique harvest festival.
Happening in and around Much Marcle, the weekend celebrities our local orchards, apples and cider.
Newent’s much-missed Good News Centre Cafe has reopened as the Ark Cafe with the same warm welcome, fabulous food and drink, and new children’s play areas indoors and out, including soft play and a sensory room.
Manna House sits on the corner of Broad Street and Culver Street in the centre of Newent where Barclays Bank used to be. Some people bemoan the closing of bank branches. Me, I’d much rather have coffee, cake, comfy sofas and crafty gifts and workshops.
The annual Newent Art Competition, organised by Hannah Ferguson of the Secret Gallery, has been bringing together local artists and art lovers for eight years now. It’s a fabulous celebration of local creativity and colour and this year’s competition was one of the best.
Herefordshire Art Week is a nine-day art trail open to all. Artists, craftmakers and creative businesses open their private studios every day from 11am – 5pm at least. Galleries put on special events, whilst groups get together to put on one-off exhibitions, in a wonderful mix of interesting venues.
A 200-year-old ale house standing between Preston Cross and Much Marcle, four miles southwest of Ledbury, The Royal Oak sits on the edge of farmland. The Daffodil Line route passes by the car park, and although there is no formal bus stop or sign, if you ask the driver in advance he will stop as close to the pub as the traffic conditions safely allow.
Our trusty team of volunteers are busy preparing the autumn issue of our newsletter “Down the Line” right now, and we would love it if you could get involved.
