What's everyone's plans for bringing in the bells? Unusually for a Scotsman I shall be sober. Going to first foot my son and family who live 10 miles away other side of town. Will be great to wish them a happy new year and see my grand daughters all excited about staying up for the midnight celebrations. The down side will be if my ex wife turns up and I'm forced to give her a stomach churning peck on the cheek.
I haven't been out on new years eve for at least 10 years. I'll be stopping in, maybe have a few drinks and watch Jules Holland.
We're going out early evening to the Strafford arms for a few drinkypoos then home order some artery hardening takeaway food and if the sleep fairies deem it time for bed then so be it. So from my family to yours we hope you all have a safe, fun filled new years eve.
Try bbc 1 Scotland at 11 mate. Only an excuse. OK it is Scottish humour but normally a good wee laugh. Then at 12.30 Still Game.
Haha not quite mate. To first foot someone is to be the first person to step over someone's threshold. So being the first person in their house in the new year. You take a small gift in usually cake or a box of chocs and of course your bottle of whisky. In days gone by it would have been a lump of coal for the fire. Then the party started.
Ashfield road area of Hemsworth is known as the scotch estate, on account of all the Scottish people that moved down and settled there. Never did it myself, but they used to say it was the place to go after the pubs shut on new years eve as lots of homes were very welcoming.
first footing - didn't we have a similar tradition - i've vague recollections of someone letting the new year in - carrying a piece of coal
All ways let new year in when I was younger, used to make some decent coin , old year out new year in please will you let the lucky bird in ...
Welland Crescent in Elsecar, where I lived for 37 years, was known as Scots village for the same reason as above then Concrete Canyon. Heaven knows what it's known as now judging by my recent nostalgia visit for my mum who moved from there to the rarefied air of Wombwell
Out for a few jars tonight with wifey, Sister and her hubby ( Sunderland supporter) who are staying with us over New Year. Mention of "first footing " evokes memories of my best mate Alex Goodall who lived on our street when we lived in Donny. He'd relocated from Lochgelly Fife, to work in the Yorkshire coalfield. Normally Alex was not a big drinker, but on New Years Eve, he would start at the first house on our street with his piece of coal and a couple of bottles of whisky and " first foot" every single home. We used to look out of the window later and laugh to see his son who he called " 'Oor Willie" helping him back home absolutely " rat ar*ed".! Absolutely a top bloke who sadly passed away around eight years ago.
My wife's Grandad used to talk about Dodworth Bottoms , Culdits at Wath and Concrete Canyon. He was called Jim Hartshorne and was Steward at the Reform Club in Wombwell. He was a right character. His wife had a cousin Billy Blan who played Rugby League for Wigan. Billy won the Cup with Wigan at Wembley in 1947-48 and kindly gave his medal to Jim who wore it on his watch chain. Apparently that same season, a promising lad from the Reform was invited for a trial at Oakwell. Jim offered to take him. When they got there ,the trialist team were a man short, so Jim volunteered to play, which eventually led to his " party piece" . " Who has a Rugby League Cup winners medal for season 1947-48 and laiked at Barnsley FC's Oakwell Ground."? When you finally gave up he pointed to himself and said " the Trigger kid". When asked about the game he used to say " I was the fastest man on the pitch. I take a size 12 in booits and the largest size they had was a 10. I daren't put me feet on't floor. I took a corner, ran into the box and headed it in missen ' ar war that fast. I could shoe an hoss at full gallop." He was the life and soul of any party was Jim.
