Pepys’ Parish Wassail!
Friday 12th December 2025 from 6pm
starting at The Ship Inn, Hart Street

“Wassailing” is the practice of singing carols and spreading good cheer door-to-door. The word comes from an old Norse greeting ‘vas heill’ meaning ‘good health’ and became a toast before drinking. Later ‘wassail’ became the name of a drink itself, a bit like the mulled wine served at Christmas time today.

With our Nordic roots, it is particularly appropriate that we revive the tradition of Wassailing at St Olave Hart Street! Please join us as we Wassail around the pubs and taverns of the parish, singing carols and spreading good cheer. We will be joined by our bellringers – from the University of London Society of Change Ringers – and singers from our choirs, the St Olave Singers and the St Olave Scholars. We’ll be following in the footsteps of one of the parish’s most famous residents, Samuel Pepys.

All are welcome. We start at The Ship, Hart Street, at 6pm. We will be singing outdoors so dress appropriately!

Please sign up at this link to receive further details.