MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS HAD TO TAKE THE ASHES OUT FROM UNDER THE FIRE JUST BEFORE 'THE BELLS' (MIDNIGHT NEW YEAR'S EVE) THEN THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS THE THRESHHOLD HAD TO BE DARK HAIRED AND CARRY A PIECE OF COAL. ANYONE THEN WAS WELCOMED IN AND EVERYONE HAD TO DO THEIR TURN (SING, RECITE ETC) WHEN THEY WOULD BE GIVEN A DRAM, A PIECE OF BLACK BUN AND SHORTBREAD. THE PARTY THEN COULD LAST ALL NIGHT!