First Footing

blackprince · Post by **blackprince** » Tue 01 Jan, 2013 12:05 am

On radio 2 this morning Ken bruce said that no one further south than Carlisle knew about first footing.I remember first footing in Leeds in the 1950's. Being fairly tall & dark haired I was asked to "first foot" a few neighbours houses after midnight carrying a lump of coal. In Scotland it probably involves partaking of a "wee dram", I had to make do with a mince pie!. Anyone else remember the custom of first footing in Leeds and has the it continued to the present day?Happy 2013 to all.

Caron · Post by **Caron** » Tue 01 Jan, 2013 12:26 am

Hi blackprince. Glad you mentioned this cos just before midnight my mam would get a family member to go out of the back door and she'd let them back in the front door after the 12 Big Ben "Dongs". They had to be dark haired and have a piece of coal and a some money to give to my mam on entering the house. I can understand the coal and money but don't know why it has to be someone with dark hair???Anyone know? NEW YEAR WISHES TO ALL.Edit. Have just read up on first footing and a blonde haired caller was frowned upon due to the Vikings......

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Tue 01 Jan, 2013 1:37 am

As a kid in Leeds in the 40's and 50's "First Footing" was a New Year ritual. Me and my Dad could never do it as we were both fair headed. Also the singing of the song "Miner's Dream of Home" was sung if anyone knew the words. I can just about remember the last line which went something along the lines of "... for the bells were ringing the old year out and the new year in". A Happy and a Prosperous New Year to everyone.

book · Post by **book** » Tue 01 Jan, 2013 9:55 am

“It’s ten weary years since I left England’s shore,For a distant far country to roam,How I long to return to my own native land,To my friends and the old folks at home.Last night as I slumbered I had a strange dream,A dream that brought distant lands near,I dreamt of old England, the land of my birth,The heart of her sons ever dear.I saw the old homestead and faces I knewI saw Englands valleys and dellsAnd I listened with joy as I did when a boyTo the sound of the old village bellsThe stars were shining brightlytwas the night your poor granny fell illAll the bells were ringing the old year outAnd the new year in.While the joyous bells rang as I wended my way,To the house where I lived as a boy,I passed by the window and there sat by the fire,Were my parents, my heart filled with joy.The log burnt so brightly it was keeping them warm,On a night that could banish all sin,And the bells they were ringing, the old year out,And the new year in.At the door of the house there we stood face to face,For the first time in ten weary years,Soon the past was forgot, and we stood hand in hand,Father, mother and wanderer in tears.And the log burnt so brightly, it was keeping us warm,On a night that would banish all sin,And the bells they were ringing, the old year out,And the new year in.And the bells they were ringing, the old year out,And the new year in.

book · Post by **book** » Tue 01 Jan, 2013 10:16 am

I think I may remember it as crossing the threshold

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Tue 01 Jan, 2013 10:24 am

It was still going on in the early 80's - my sister (the only dark haired one of us), was called upon to 'first foot' when visiting any family on New Years Day.

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Tue 01 Jan, 2013 10:37 am

different aeas carry it out still.The fair haired being unlucky is usually a red haired person for the same reason although in areas where the vikings took over it got changed<LOL>.

jan8 · Post by **jan8** » Tue 01 Jan, 2013 7:31 pm

Yeah, it was an annual ritual in our house when I was growing up. You had to be dark haired AND good looking ! and 50 years later I still carry it on, unfortunately without the coal and perhaps not so good looking and not now naturally dark haired

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Wed 02 Jan, 2013 12:35 am

jan8 wrote: Yeah, it was an annual ritual in our house when I was growing up. You had to be dark haired AND good looking ! and 50 years later I still carry it on, unfortunately without the coal and perhaps not so good looking and not now naturally dark haired I think tradition says that the first foot had to be a tall dark stranger.I was born in Leeds in '42 and we always celebrated the New Year. The piece of coal is supposed to say that you may have a warm home throughout the New Year and the stranger would have to have his palm x'd with silver to signify that he'd never be poor throughout the year. The mince pie or cake would say he would not go hungry either.Here's a little ditty from some friends from the Whitby area who celebrated New Year to be said by the first foot on entering the chosen home." I'm the Lucky Bird ,chuck,chuck chuck,hole in my stocking hole in my shoe, please will you let the Lucky Bird through,It is by chance that I came here to wish you all a Happy New Year!" I bet there's not many on here heard this at a New Year celebration!

blackprince · Post by **blackprince** » Wed 02 Jan, 2013 6:59 pm

Now that its been mentioned I do vaguely remember holding a silver sixpence as well as a lump of coal when my mother asked me to first foot.I never knew why traditionally it had to be a dark haired person, but a folk memory of pillaging Norsemen is a fascinating explanation. Thanks to all above for turning this into an interesting & informative thread.