Centuries-old traditions revived to 'bless' orchard

The cider farm's Torm Man celebration is inspired by centuries-old traditions

A cider farm has drawn on centuries-old past-times for a new tradition that will "bless" and boost its apple harvests.

The event at Torre Cider Farm in Washford was created alongside Somerset artist Rob Heard who, every year, builds a wooden human form called the Torm Man - a mystical spirit.

As part of the celebration, apples from local orchards will be offered to the sculpture on Saturday.

Gemma Freeman from the farm said the ceremony "has definitely worked" this year because their harvest was "really large" and "absolutely bonkers".

Ms Freeman is convinced the last ceremony worked after a great harvest this year

"We found Torm meant, back in the day, unripened fruit that's where the idea came from," she said.

"People were doing these offerings and burnings trying to improve their orchards by blessing the spirit.

"[So] we decided to start burning the Torm Man which Rob built for us and it's a huge structure, around 14ft (4.2m)."

The sculpture has been made out of old pallets so "it's all recycled wood".

"It's definitely worked this year. The harvest is really large this year - absolutely bonkers."

Mr Heard said the ceremony is part of an "ancient way of doing things"

Mr Heard said: "It's a very ancient way of doing things. We wanted to start a new folklore using the old ways.

"There's nothing new about celebrating the harvests and burning effigies and the harvest meant everything to people back in the day - if your harvest failed you died.

"Who knows maybe in 100 years people will still be talking about it."

He said he chose a "friendly" human form for the Torm Man because "it is the most emotive".

'A bumper crop'

"They [Torre Cider Farm] had a bumper crop this year. There's something going on in those old orchards.

"Who knows, maybe the Torm Man does make a difference."

The Torm Man sculpture will be carried into Torre Cider Farm's apple orchard and will be set down on top of a bonfire to "bless" the orchard after the local town crier says a few words on Saturday from 17:00 GMT.