Happy New Year?

" Blwyddyn newydd dda i chi
Ac i bawb sy yn y tŷ -
Dyna ein dymuniad ni:
Blwyddyn newydd dda i chi! "

" A good new year to you
And to all within the house -
That is our wish:
A good new year to you. "

Those are the words that people used to sing at the beginning of the new year as they went around with the Mari lwyd or the Wassail Cup. Children used to around the houses ashing for a "calennig" - a new year's gift - which was usually a penny or two.

Today, those old customs have gone. And how many of today's children would be happy to receive just a penny or two, I wonder?!

How many times have you wished "A Happy New Year" by now? And remember, we say "a good new year" in Welsh, not a happy new year.

The prophets of doom say that 2012 will be a bad year for the economy; but they're always happy to talk about bad news! And if you believe the Mayan calendar, the world will come to an end in 2012!

Yes. it's January 2012 and it is a new year; hopefully, it will be a good year for you.