HUNDREDS of spectators enjoyed music and dancing in a re-enactment of old farming traditions at Chepstow on Saturday.

Chepstow-based Morris dancing group The Widders hosted the event, which combines the Welsh midwinter Mari Lwyd tradition with the English custom of Wassailing.

The Mari, which is a person disguised as a horse, goes from house to house singing in an attempt to be let in and bring good luck, while the tradition of Wassailing involves blessing an apple tree in the hope of a good harvest.

It was the 10th year Welsh and English performers sang, drank and showed off their dances at Chepstow as they took part in the rituals which are so old it is unknown when they first originated.

The annual event was supported by Monmouthshire County Council, Chepstow Town Council, Chepstow Acoustic Music Club, Glosfolk and the people of Chepstow.

Morris dancing groups from all over the country took part, including Heb Enw from Carmarthenshire, Rag Morris from Bristol and Red Stags from Southampton – and for the first time ever, a Morris side from Cornwall.

Mike Lewis, organiser of the event, said: “We expect anything up to 1,000 people. We’ve been doing it for 10 years and have been growing steadily.

“The whole essence of this is to get the community to come out and do stuff together, as well as for people to look after our shared traditions."

The festivities kicked off at the Three Tuns pub at 3pm with Morris dancing and progressed to the Afon Gwy at 5.30pm. The main event started at 6.30pm, meeting on the Wye Bridge. A ceilidh was then held at The Drill Hall at 8pm with the Calennig Ceilidh band.

The Welsh midwinter tradition, which possibly originated to celebrate New Year, welcomed families from both Gwent and further afield.

Clare Watkins, from Gloucester, came to visit the castle and the festivities with her grandson. She said: “We came to the castle and then saw what was going on down here.

“It’s wonderful, absolutely lovely. We’ve never seen anything like it before.”