The orchard has been planted and staked but, as every 17th Century cider drinker knows, a good harvest is dependent on the right mix of gunfire and drunken singing.

The ancient custom of wassailing will be revived at Fort Amherst’s new community orchard on Saturday, January 3, and ticket holders are invited to take part.

Dating back to the days of the Saxons, the wassailing ceremony - performed to awaken fruit trees and bee hives, and drive away evil spirits - is more readily associated with the West Country, but also has a tradition in Kent.

Fort Amherst’s ceremony, billed as a family orientated event, will include a torchlight procession to the orchard, where a ceremonial bonfire will be lit before muskets and cannons are fired.

The Wassailing cup will be passed around with mulled cider or apple juice for all, and the remains will be poured over the tree roots to bless the orchard.

Morris dancing by a local side and traditional Wassailing songs will follow, before the second part of the event commences in the Fort’s tunnels.

This will include folk music, a traditional Kentish Mummers play with “Hodden horse” and storytelling for both children and adults.

There will be a bar and BBQ available and the event will raise funds for the Fort Amherst Heritage Trust.

For tickets and details visit www.fortamherst.com.

Read more in this week's Medway Messenger.