Wesleyballs or wesselbobs

[Eastwood_D]

Hi, I'm 50 years old and grew up in a house called Cross Hall where the preacher John Wesley lived.

Our family has always called them wesley balls. When I met my now wife she didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

Always have been and always will be Wesley balls

[Mike in Cumbria]

Hi, I'm 50 years old and grew up in a house called Cross Hall where the preacher John Wesley lived.

Our family has always called them wesley balls. When I met my now wife she didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

Always have been and always will be Wesley balls

Nor did mine. I'm not sure she believes me still.

[JenB]

There is quite a bit about wassail/wessel bobs in the Dialect Dictionary
https://archive.org/details/englishdialectdi06wriguoft/page/394/mode/2up

[Mike in Cumbria]

There is quite a bit about wassail/wessel bobs in the Dialect Dictionary
https://archive.org/details/englishdialectdi06wriguoft/page/394/mode/2up

Thanks Jen, that's interesting
Funny how some threads get revived after a long absence.

[Ruskie]

There is quite a bit about wassail/wessel bobs in the Dialect Dictionary
https://archive.org/details/englishdialectdi06wriguoft/page/394/mode/2up

Thanks Jen, that's interesting
Funny how some threads get revived after a long absence.

Thank goodness they do. 
I have added that very handy looking Dialect Dictionary to my Favourites. Thanks Jen.

[bykerlads]

Wesleybobs must have been a very local name. In the Holme Valley, over to the West of Huddersfield and not that fsr from Mirfield, I never heard the term used.

[Mike in Cumbria]

Wesleybobs must have been a very local name. In the Holme Valley, over to the West of Huddersfield and not that fsr from Mirfield, I never heard the term used.

It seems so. My Mum's family were from the Dewsbury area (and Leeds), and only ever called them Wesley Balls or Wesselbobs.

[Mowsehowse]

There is quite a bit about wassail/wessel bobs in the Dialect Dictionary
https://archive.org/details/englishdialectdi06wriguoft/page/394/mode/2up

Thanks Jen, that's interesting
Funny how some threads get revived after a long absence.

Fascinating thread...
It is strange how some threads get revived after a long absence.
I am willing to bet someone made a reference to John Wesley, Yorkshire customs, or wessel bobs, and Googling delivered this thread.

Reading through Gutenberg Project link I am interested to note how many age old British customs are still in evidence linked to Morris dancing.

[JenB]

I have added that very handy looking Dialect Dictionary to my Favourites. Thanks Jen.

The link I gave above was only to Volume 6 of the Dialect Dictionary, words starting T - Z

This should take you to the complete collection. I've found it very useful particularly for words occurring in old farming inventories  https://www.rootschat.com/links/01q5n/ 

You can search within each volume, using the 'search inside' box (NOT the general 'search' box top right)