Beer, food and kisses.

by Feòrag

London will witness one of the more entertaining Twelfth Night traditions on Monday when the Holly Man comes for a pint or two:

Arriving by boat at Bankside Pier, he docks and gives a special wassail, or toast, to the river and to the coming year. He then leads a troupe of actors, called mummers, on a procession to the George Inn in Borough for various new year festivities and sketches.

Actors from The Lions Part Theatre Group have been re-enacting the tradition for ten years now, and there's more to it than an excuse for a glass or two of fine real ale--you can stuff yourself with cake and have a snog too.

Monday's festivities also see visitors handed slices of 12th bake - cakes made from Christmas leftovers.

Hidden among the slices are a dried pea and a dried bean. Those who find them are hailed festival king and queen for the day.

But there's good news in store for hopeful singletons, too.

Tie a ribbon to the special kissing wishing tree at the George Inn, and tradition dictates you may kiss the person next to you.

Green giant calls in the new year - icSouthLondon, 31st December 2004.