The First Footing in America
By Roland Williams, Kallaroo, Western AustraliaWhen I was only a few years old (approximately in the year 1944), my Grandad William Williams introduced us to the Welsh custom of the First Footing.
This was during WWII, when my dad was overseas and my mum and I were home alone. We, of course, loved to have Grandad come over so early on New Year's Day morning and give us all the gifts he carried with him.
He continued this tradition for some years, until he died in 1953. I shall never forget his generosity and kindness. Now that we live in Australia, where there are many Welsh immigrants, we are able to find out much more about this lovely tradition.
I, for one, will be reintroducing the custom to my grandchildren on New Year's Day. I am certain that they will grow up loving it as much as I did.
