What a swell York 2000 party that was

Below: Piper Major Miles Pennett plays in York

New Year festivities were initially low-key in North Yorkshire, with police reporting scarce traffic and many pubs staying closed.

But midnight brought the Millennium spirit out as thousands came together to celebrate.

At first, York streets were quiet, and at Edward's in Micklegate plans to charge £15 a head were abandoned.

Manager Susie Hulton said: "The industry shot itself in the foot, setting high prices, and a lot of people obviously decided to have parties at home. It's been brilliant, but it's not been as packed as a normal Saturday night."

At the Hansom Cab in Market Street, Scottish pipe major Miles Pennett, from Glasgow, and Strathclyde Officer Training Corps Pipe Band brought a taste of Hogmanay to the festivities.

Friends of his were making around £6,000 for their night's work in Scotland, but he decided to head to York "for the craic".

Landlord Niel Warriner said: "We have had to shut the door a couple of times when it's got quite busy - but it's not been as busy as a normal New Year's Eve."

At Harker's Wine Bar, St Helen's Square, deputy manager Richard Waters was philosophical about a relatively low turnout.

"It's comfortable and people don't want a packed bar on New Year's eve," he said.

At the Northern Wall in Fossgate, manager Chris Fall's partner, Toni Stamper, and barmaid Sally Moore were joining the regulars in a celebratory drink.

Toni said: "It's been really hyped and I thought it would be a bit of a flop but the party's what you make it."

In the street between pubs, Emma O'Neill, of Huntington Road had reason for a double celebration, as she was surrounded by childhood friends from Chesterfield.

She said: "I haven't seen all these people for more than two years and, because it's the Millennium, it's made it even more special."

As midnight neared, clubbers in party finery mixed with older couples and families with young children outside the Minster, cleared of its scaffolding for the first time in more than a decade.

Margaret and Andrew Lethbridge made the trip from Harrogate with their children Emma, 26, and Richard, 16.

Margaret said: "We were married here and we started our married life here so it's nice to come back for the Millennium."

Lesley and Theo Berry, of Bishopthorpe Road, York, had planned to party with friends, but a bout of flu had put paid to their plans.

"We're just going to soak up the atmosphere," said Lesley. "I'm hoping to meet my daughter who is at a party and my son who is at another. They're both hoping to meet up with us here."

Hundreds packed inside the Minster for a service led by the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope.

He urged people to learn the lessons of the past Millennium and to have respect for the earth and for each other.

The doors of the Minster's West Front were thrown open as midnight approached, and the crowd gasped as an exuberant firework display got under way.

Strangers and friends hugged and kissed as midnight struck, with conga lines threading through the crowd and groups joining in choruses of Auld Lang Syne.

Neighbours in Gouthwaite Close, Clifton Moor, sealed off their road and partied the night away together.

Families hired tents, a bouncy castle and flashing lights for a street party.

Diane Hunt, one of the organisers, said: "We were all together at somebody's birthday party and decided we should do something.

"Since we started planning it, everyone on the street has got to know each other a lot better."

The New Year erupted in Acomb in a cacophony of fireworks, hooters and car horns.

Private parties shared their celebrations with a spectacular impromptu firework display that filled the sky with colour and sound.

As revellers tried to share their celebrations with others, many were left staring blankly at their mobile phones.

The phone networks jammed - and those who took to phone boxes found the land lines just as busy.

Merlins and McMillans, York's own "Times Square" at the junction of Tanner Row and George Hudson Street, was somewhat quieter than its Transatlantic namesake.

With both venues half full, managers closed Merlins and concentrated the party at McMillans, where 450 people packed the pub.

The 50 or so revellers who gathered outside to see the venue's Millennium Clock tick into the 21st century were watched by 20-plus police.

But they made it a night to remember, with fireworks, a sound system belting out Auld Lang Syne, and revellers linking arms with police and dancing in the street.

Inspector Ken Gill, leading the operation, said: "It was all very good-natured and everybody had a good time."

Tell us about your party

It was the party of the century - and we want to show the world how you celebrated it.

The Evening Press plans to publish a Millennium party supplement packed full of photographs showing how you celebrated the dawn of the new Millennium.

The supplement will be published later in January and if you want your picture in it, get the print to us by Monday January 17.

Don't forget to write names and places carefully on the back of your picture. We will be unable to return the prints. Please send your New Year's Eve celebration snaps to: Party of the Century, c/o Photographic, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN. Good quality digital pictures can be emailed to photographers@ycp.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.