HUNDREDS of people turned out for a day of belated celebrations at Wales’ “newest old tradition”.

The Chepstow Wassail Mari Lwyd is a popular annual event combining the English tradition of Wassailing with the Welsh Mari Lwyd tradition, plus a social meeting of the English and Welsh on the border at the River Wye bridge. There is also Morris dancing and a country dance.

The Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd took place in Chepstow on Saturday, and saw around 700 people turn up to the various events taking place around the town.

The event, which has been held by the Widders Border Morris every January for the past 11 years, is a belated celebration of the new year, and kicked off at The Three Tuns Inn at 2.30pm.

Wassailing is a mostly English tradition of blessing apple trees and asking for good harvest for the year, while the Mari Lwyd involves a decorated horse skull being carried from house to house by performers.

The Mari Lwyd performers will then attempt to gain entry in the house. Once they are let in, they will bless the inhabitants of the property before moving on.

One of the event organisers, Mick Widder, said the tradition seems to be becoming more popular in Chepstow every year.

He said: “It was a fantastic day. It has generally been increasing over the years.

“It’s something that is very unique to us here in Chepstow, especially as we are on the border so we can bring both traditions together.”