AN EVENT due to take place in Herefordshire has been cancelled due to concerns over coronavirus.

The Colwall Orchard Group was to hold its annual wassailing event at the Colwall Village Garden this Saturday (January 22).

Wassailing is the ancient tradition of blessing trees in the hope of promoting a good harvest for the next cider and perry season and warding off bad spirits from the orchard.

But the group has announced that it does not think it would be safe to go ahead this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson from the Colwall Orchard Group said: “It is with regret that we have decided not to run Colwall Wassail in January 2022 due to the evolving Covid situation.

“We believe that it will not be possible to hold a safe and enjoyable event in the current circumstances.”

But they hope to celebrate the orchards in spring or summer and look forward to another wassail in January 2023.

“With best wishes for your good health and hoping that you'll raise a glass to our orchards and a good harvest in 2022,” said the group.

Cases in Herefordshire have been falling dramatically, with almost 40 per cent fewer people testing positive in the week to January 12 compared to the near 3,000 the week before.