Celebrated every year on New Year's Eve, Hogmanay originated with the practice of sun and fire worship. This evolved into the great Roman winter festival of 'Saturnalia' when people celebrated in true Roman fashion - completely free of restraint and inhibition. After this the Vikings then celebrated 'Yule', which later became the twelve days of Christmas or the "Daft Days" as they became known in Scotland.

Nobody really knows where the word 'Hogmanay' comes from. It may originate from the Gaelic 'Oge Maidne', meaning 'New morning', the Anglo-Saxon 'Haleg Monath' ('Holy Month'), or the Norman French word 'Hoguinané', which was derived from the Old French 'Anguillanneuf', 'Gift at New Year'. It could also come from the French 'Au gui mener' meaning 'Lead to the mistletoe', or the Flemish 'Combo hoog' ('high'), 'min' ('love') and 'da'g ('day'). Take your pick! The word itself is now the Scottish word for the last day of the year and customs surrounding this have continued to evolve to the modern day.

Although it is only in recent years that Hogmanay has been celebrated on such a large scale.

So where better to celebrate Hogmanay and the start of a whole new decade than Locks Heath? (Ahem.)

Where will you go?

Here's some ideas of local venues you may like to try on New Year's Eve:

If you fancy a bit of a boogie both The Lock Stock and Barrel in the Locks Heath Centre and The Rising Sun in Warsash are holding discos (do we still call them 'discos'?). It will be tickets only at The Lock Stock and Barrel and these are being sold now - just pop in. The dancing begins at 8pm and goes on all night. Local DJ Mike Sullivan will be at The Rising Sun and partying there will go on till 1am.

Not a big fan of dancing but want to dress up? Three pubs are having a Fancy Dress Night. The Talisman in Park Gate is selling tickets at £10 per head for their 'Stars In Their Eyes' themed evening, which ends at 1am. The Jolly Sailor in Bursledon are dedicating the entire evening to Italy! They have an Italian based menu, all the staff are dressing as characters from The Italian Job, and they have a solo artist, local singer, Lucas Raye who is.. erm.. British but may do the accent if you ask politely. The Whyte Heart in Hamble also have a fancy dress evening in the planning although at the time of writing haven't decided on the theme. Best check with them first before getting the Vicar suit out of mothballs...

If you like your live bands then The Spinnaker in Swanwick has popular Warsash Indie band Unwritten Rule playing from 9pm.

And finally if you just like to chat and socialise then The Village Inn in Park Gate may be for you. By their own admission they're 'doing nothing special', but will be open till 3am.

If you don't have a designated driver (or 'husband' I think they're called) and need a taxi home then I'd recommend Viking Cars.

Any more ideas of local venues or events - let me know!