New Year's Eve Singers

[Kidorry]

I can remember the choir from the local church coming round our estate on a carriage with straw bales on and being dressed in the nativity scene singing carols at Christmas. I only ever saw it once and it must have been in the early 70s.

[Jim Hardie]

1 hour ago, trastrick said:

Remember it well. It was the ancient rite of "mummering". Widespread during the 40's.

 

New Years eve was the time to don blackface (soot) and wish the neighbors a Happy New Year! Something to do with the chimney sweep bringing a year of good luck if you invited him in the "poke the fire".

 

Had it's own "carols" too. 

 

Happy New Year, Happy New Year, 

Plenty of money and a cellar full of beer!  etc

 

Hole in mi stocking, hole in mi shoe

Please can you spare me a copper or too!  etc

 

And it filled our "money boxes" again after the Christmas. 

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny ’ll do

If you haven’t got a ha’penny, god bless you.

 

[Canuk]

There was also the tradition at our house in Sheffield, a male with the darkest hair put soot on his face and carried a piece of coal, then knocked on the door to 'let in' the New Year.  I seem to remember the piece of coal was to keep the embers burning in the fireplace until morning.

 

[Sharon Crow]

I remember this it was called "First Footing". It was bloody cold stood outside in Sheffield at midnight. Usually ankle deep in snow.

 

[bazza63]

Happy new year to you, your friends and companions a happy new year,we wish you a happy new year.used to be sung in Worrall  after the watch night sevice in the Chapel then  go round the village calling on houses hoping for a drink.