THE ANNUAL meeting of two traditions took place at the point where England becomes Wales and Wales becomes England. 

Hundreds of people turned out for the 11th annual Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd with the highlight a meeting of the two traditions at the centre of the old Wye Bridge. 

The Mari Lwyd, or Grey Mare, is a Welsh New Year first footing tradition while wassails are held in England to bless the apple crop. 

This year there were 11 Maris from across south and West Wales but organisers are hoping for an even bigger turn-out next year. 

Tim Ryan, who is one of the organisers, said: “Next year we are hoping to set a Guinness world record for the most Mari Lwyds in one place at one time.” 

Morris dancing sides from across the Midland and south west of England joined in the merriment. 

The festivities started on Saturday afternoon  with a wassail in the Dell community orchard near Chepstow, which was followed by the first of two Mari Lwyds which took place at the Three Tuns pub with the ‘horses hoping to be fed and given drink. 

The Dell wassail was led by ‘butler’ Matt Geary and heart-shaped holes had been cut in pieces of toast which were placed on the tree. 

Mr Geary said: “Wassail is all about waking up this orchard so it grow fantastic apples and give us a bumper crop for the new year. 

“It was often put on by the farmer and his wife for the labourers of the land and the butler had to blacken his face so he could poke a bit of fun at the farmer and his wife and still have a job in the morning.” 

In preparation for the meeting on the bridge, the English revellers held another wassail, this time at the home of Jan Karvik and Audrey Crowley in  Tutshill. 

The event ended with yet another wassail on the steps of Chepstow Museum where the air was filled with the smell of hot-mulled cider with the drink being provided by Awre-based Severn Cider.