IF YOU go down to Bolney on the first Saturday in January you are in for something of a fright.

As each year after nightfall, when all is quiet, men bearing torches appear from the shadows.

Silently they parade through the village and make their way to a chosen apple tree in a nearby orchard.

A horn is sounded and the men form a ring around the roots before a chant is started. Louder and louder it gets as the words echo around the countryside.

The Argus:

“Here’s to thee, old apple tree; may’st thou bud, may’st thou bow.”

A spiced wassail cake soaked in cider is then placed in a fork of the tree and cider is poured on the roots before the men beat the trunk with sticks. This is followed by dancing, shouting and the banging of drums before a shotgun is fired.

If you stumbled across such a sight, you would be forgiven for wanting to call the police. But Apple Howling - as it is called - is in fact just one of dozens of fantastically quirky traditions in Sussex.

From pea throwing championships to bath tub races, we have it all in these parts. But why are there so many of these odd traditions in Sussex?

Malcolm Taylor, from the Sussex Traditions group, said: “There’s a wide range of traditions across the county but some areas are better than others at retaining them and keeping them alive.

“I think Sussex is particularly good. You only have to look at the popularity of something like Lewes Bonfire Celebrations, which is just about the most random and fascinating event you can imagine.

“And I think it is very important, it brings us together and gives us a shared identity.”

Richard Lelliott, master of ceremonies of the Chanctonbury Ring Morris Men, who lead the Bolney Apple Howling, reckons it is down to a particular characteristic.

He said: “We are a stubborn lot here in Sussex and we don’t like to give things up. Our annual Apple Howling event is incredibly popular and we have great turn-outs at our other events throughout the year.”

One of the better known Sussex traditions is the Jack in the Green event held in Hastings on May Day each year.

A man is dressed from head to toe in leaves so he looks like a giant Christmas tree before being released next to the Fisherman’s Museum.

He is then followed around town by Morris Men, dancers, people dressed as giants, and musicians. Once the procession reaches the West Hill, the Jack is ceremonially slain to release the spirit of summer.

While many of our traditions have their origins stretching back many hundreds of years, some are far more modern. You only have to look at the likes of Birdman, first held in 1971, Burning the Clocks (1993) and Paddle Round The Pier (1996) to realise our contemporary traditions are just as popular.

Mr Taylor added: “One of the lovely things about these traditions is that they are cross generational. You will see grandmothers dancing with their grandsons and that is great. It also ensures the traditions are passed down.”

Mr Lelliott added: “I think traditions are important because they give us our identity, they are good fun and entertain people.”