The Gower Wassail

On Saturday 10thJanuary 2026 Sweyn’s Ey were invited to dance and perform the Gower Christmas Sport mumming play
at the Gower Heritage Centre Wassail. This annual event is always an enjoyable start to the year and it’s great to see lots of old friends gathered at the mill.

We were scheduled to perform at 15:55 and started on time! Richie cleared a space for us in front of the stage and we gave a very spirited performance of the Christmas Sport to a large and enthusiastic audience. Erin made her debut as King George
and was cheered to the rafters as she finally won the battle with the Valiant Knight. Claire took on the new part of Doctor’s
assistant and held Keith’s doctor’s bag in plain sight for him to extract his tools and accompanying puns – his jokes drew
audible laughter from the spectators!

Once the play was over we made a rapid change of costume and danced Banks of the Lee, Badby and Postman’s Knock,
Adderbury – again to huge applause from a smiling crowd. Our dancers were Alex D, Claire, Erin, Geoff, Keith, Nige and Zep;
Siân provided top-notch music, as usual.

We passed the bucket round for a final collection for Maggie’s this mumming season. When we had finished our set we were able to redeem more of the drinks vouchers provided and then join a parade of Mari Lwyds as they made their way to the orchard to awaken the apple trees for the new year.

Our very own Old Father Christmas, with his flashing staff, was asked to lead the parade, what an honour!
Most of us stayed on to see the bands and were joined by Becky and her friend Gareth. It was very cold but Claire shared her hot water bottle, which she topped up in the café when needed, so we managed to stay long enough to catch the last ever performance of The Balkaneers.
WASSAIL!
Post by Nigel, Pics by Claire & Becky.