First footing

[Bettyboo]

We always had the first footing with dark haired person and lump of coal it only fizzled out with the passing away of our older family members and neighbours. Still think about them all especially tonight. Just heard a damn firework go off probably the first of many tonight hope everyone's pets are safe.

 

[Tinkywinky150]

Well, I'm Cornish and I've never heard of it, let alone know what it means.
I suppose if it's a Scottish thing, you can't get much further away, geographically.

 

[whitesnake]

There never used to be fireworks going off at New Year when l was a kid. There's no need for them! I think l am quite miserable really but l have never really enjoyed New Year that much. When l was younger and used to go out with friends l used to try and hide in the toilets at midnight. I just couldn't stand all the kissing and hugging. I am so relieved that l can now stay in and have a few glasses of wine and not worry about all that. People can think whatever they want of me l just do not care whatsoever anymore!

 

[SuziQ]

I'm a Brummie lass originally ( now living in Essex) but my dad did this every year. I feel like crying when I remember him standing outside the front door, singing "the log was burning the old year out and the new year in." He had such a lovely voice. It was such a lovely tradition and very important to us.

 

[thatu]

We still do first footing, only now it's just hubby without any coal. It's an old northern custom we can't let go of, though my children don't bother with it any more. Carla is of Italian stock and from the south of England as far as I remember, so maybe that's why she hasn't heard of it.

Hope 2016 is a good one for everyone here!

 

[yesilkedi]

My mum comes from Bolton and told me that Christmas was for children and New Year for adults. She bought the first footing custom down South when she married my dad, I have a vague notion he carried in some salt along with the coal. I've never really been a big fan of New Year celebrations, used to like going out for a meal with some friends but they've moved to Wales now. Expect I will be tucked up in bed and hopefully fast asleep by midnight.
Happy New Year to you all!

 

[Lady Madonna]

There never used to be fireworks going off at New Year when l was a kid. There's no need for them! I think l am quite miserable really but l have never really enjoyed New Year that much. When l was younger and used to go out with friends l used to try and hide in the toilets at midnight. I just couldn't stand all the kissing and hugging. I am so relieved that l can now stay in and have a few glasses of wine and not worry about all that. People can think whatever they want of me l just do not care whatsoever anymore!

Think it really kicked off with the millennium, never had any round us before then.

 

[Brissles]

Parents from Yorkshire used to talk about it, as did a few folk where I grew up in Lancashire but not much participation that I can remember. I remember folk saying my first husband was ideal for the role, having v dark hair; it's supposed to bring good luck for the year if the first person to cross your front door into your house is a man with dark hair. We also got coal in our Xmas stockings to symbolise warmth for the year; the coal was never regarded as a bad thing; though the threat of horse manure for naughty kids was. But maybe this was just a mining community thing? The rest of the country seemed to think coal in one's stocking was a bad thing.

Yes, I had a lump of coal in my stocking too , along with a tangerine, some nuts and foil wrapped chocolate coins.

My parents were from Yorkshire and brought the tradition south to Ramsgate, Kent when they first married, and yes I not only remember the dark haired man with coal, but carrying salt as well.

I think a lot of us must be of a similar age on here, with the things we are remembering. New Year's Eve dancing in the 60's was the highlight of the social scene, getting choked with hairspray in the ladies, and all looking like Dusty Springfield around the eyes ! (only in those days it was the spit and brush mascara to get the 'look'). Come midnight we'd all hope that the fella we fancied would grab hold of us for that HNY kiss - AND they all wore suits then, not football shirts with big beer bellies ! happy days.

A Healthy New Year to you all.

 

[Tinkywinky150]

I think Christmas and New Year are too commercialised these days - fireworks just means more profit.
I just tend to stay at home with a glass of wine. Although I'm Cornish, I now live in Herefordshire which is also rural, so if we go out I have to stay sober to drive home, so not much point really and I too prefer my own family company to crowds.
Last year was better - spent both Christmas and New Year in Mexico in a hotel where champagne was All Inclusive :mysmilie_50:

 

[loveallthingsitalian]

I'm a Brummie lass originally ( now living in Essex) but my dad did this every year. I feel like crying when I remember him standing outside the front door, singing "the log was burning the old year out and the new year in." He had such a lovely voice. It was such a lovely tradition and very important to us.

I don't recall anyone signing that but these things are regional and even different within families.
Lovely memory of your dad SQ.

 

[loveallthingsitalian]

Just cooked a lovely meal bit of vino and Dean Martin singing some Italian (well American if I'm honest) old crooning and feeling a bit tearful !!!

 

[faerie]

Where my hubbys family stay (a couple of miles from me) his did would get put out before the bells then both doors (front and back) got opened. Then right on the stroke of midnight, a guy from up the street would start playing the bag pipes and the whole street would be silent listening to the pipes. It's quite magical, hearing a lone piper at midnight. Then his dad would first foot us and the party would really start!

Sorry, should have said I am Scottish,...

 

[maymorganlondon]

Where I grew up - North East England - we did first footing. A tall dark stranger bearing coal... usually male, or sometimes female (I did it myself from time to time). I suppose it's for the luck, like crossing paths with a chimney sweep on your wedding day.

 

[Silver Fox]

Years ago when I lived in Scotland we would go First Footing trudging around in the snow & slush in our ball gowns well into the early hours.That was after the New Year Ball with the Piper at midnight.Can't imagine any of my neighbours bothering these days--last night I was wrapped up in my dressing gown by the fire, waiting for Big Ben to strike midnight & NO wine in hand!!

 

[loveallthingsitalian]

It appears to have only moved south by families originating from Scotland/Northern Ireland/North of England and only then being carried on by the more senior of us.

Sort of sad to see traditions dying out. It's always lovely when you see other countries keeping up traditions which have not been dominated by commercialisation.

 

[Glittergirl]

Ann Dawson and Carla are discussing New Year and Carla has never heard of First Footing.

It is (TBH less now than when I was younger) common in my family, but since It meant absolutely nothing to Carla and this made me wonder if it wasn't a familiar tradition to others?

Was Carla born on another continent or summit, she didn't know anybody that the presenter was discussing the other day either! Well know people too, or maybe her brain just switches off from mundane things while she's on telly :mysmilie_17:

 

[loveheart]

Was Carla born on another continent or summit, she didn't know anybody that the presenter was discussing the other day either! Well know people too, or maybe her brain just switches off from mundane things while she's on telly :mysmilie_17:

I'm a Londoner as are all my family but I know what First footing is although I agree it's more of a Northern and Scottish tradition. I don't think being a southerner should be an excuse not to have heard of it.

 

[Weathergirl]

I am from Lancashire born in the early 70's and although I know what it is, it is not something we traditionally did at New Year. I thought it was mainly Scottish.

 

[Docswife]

When I was young people would first foot. Like others have said, must be dark and here, should be male. He arrived with coal and his 'ne'erday bottle' the idea being you would take a drink from it. Years ago neighbours went from house to house (the woman of the house would have scrubbed it clean!) then she got herself 'sorted' for the visitors. The good tablecloth on the table and the glasses laid out and 'bun' etc. We got to stay up late and join in....then lifted into the recess bed! Happy, happy days!

 

[DunmowDizzy]

Well, I'm Cornish and I've never heard of it, let alone know what it means.
I suppose if it's a Scottish thing, you can't get much further away, geographically.

I'm Devonshire but live SE and haven't got a clue what you lot are all on about!