Dalton Moor Farm in Dalton-le-Dale, Seaham, is a vegan fruit farm and home to a School of Sustainable Living and Wellbeing.
On January 18, the farm’s orchards will be the centre of attention as visitors from across the region gather to participate in a centuries-old event called wassailing.
Wassailing is an ancient practice intended to wake the trees from their slumber , invite good spirits, and ward off evil ones.
As part of the celebration, the wassailers will wear crowns made from evergreen foliage, and parade through the orchard, singing, dancing, and drumming to wake the sleeping apple tree spirits in preparation for spring.
Participants are invited to make their own crowns, join in the music and festivities, and take part in the toast with hot wassail punch.
Dalton Moor Farm, which is at least 400 years old, is described as the “heart” of the farm by owner Jenny Connor, who has transformed it into a multi-award-winning centre of sustainable practice.
The apples produced in the orchard, alongside other fruits and herbs from the farm, are used by Ms Connor to make vegan drinks and preserves.
Ms Connor said: “Everything we do at the farm always has to have the emphasis on sustainability and upholding special traditions.
“And so it is lovely to be starting the year with a celebration many people may never have experienced before and which I am sure they will thoroughly enjoy.”
The wassailing event coincides with the appearance of the Wolf Moon, the first full moon of the year.
Ms Connor said: “Which makes it particularly special.”
The Wolf Moon, named due to wolves’ howling as they searched for food in winter, will be at its fullest in the UK on January 13.
The wassailing event takes place between 2pm and 5pm and tickets can be booked at www.daltonmoorfarm.co.uk.