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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4136705.stm
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Revellers fall silent for victims
Hundreds of thousands are partying in Edinburgh
New Year revellers fell silent to remember the 124,000 people
killed in the Asian tsunami disaster.
Celebrations in London were toned down because of the tragedy, and
there was a two minutes' silence just before Big Ben chimed at
midnight.
A 10 minute lighting display that had been scheduled to go ahead in
the run up to midnight was cancelled.
In Edinburgh, partygoers observed a one-minute silence at 2245 GMT.
Glasgow fell silent at 2215 GMT.
The £1m London event, organised by Mayor Ken Livingstone and paid
for by the Greater London Authority, was expected to attract
150,000 people to the banks of the River Thames.
'Hearts go out'
The disaster donation line number was flashed across big screens
throughout the city.
Mr Livingstone said: "Tonight London will remember all of those
killed by the tsunami in Asia and beyond and pledge that we will do
everything in our power to assist the relief effort for those now
living in catastrophic conditions.
Celebrations in London were being toned down
"Our hearts go out to the thousands of Londoners and other people
throughout the world who have lost family members and friends as a
result of this calamity."
A spokesman for the Mayor said the festivities had been toned down
as a mark of respect for the people killed in the disaster and to
reflect public attention on the tragedy.
In Edinburgh, around 100,000 people took to the streets to
celebrate Hogmanay with an outdoor concert and street party in
Princes Street.
A strike by London Underground signal workers has been called off,
and free Tube travel is on offer between 2345 GMT and 0430
GMT.
Police were discouraging people from massing in Trafalgar Square
and were urging them to go to the Embankment or the South Bank
instead.
In Brighton, Sussex, pubs and nightclubs will also be asking
customers to help the victims of the Asian tsunami.
This year, rather than having dancing, they are all bringing
donations and clothing
Latha Vipulananthan on a south London party held by members of the
Tamil community
There will be collection boxes in bars and some venues have said
they will match customers' donations.
In south London, members of the Tamil community are using the usual
new year parties at cricket clubs to help victims in Sri
Lanka.
Latha Vipulananthan, 31, an IT support technician from Enfield, is
heading to Surbiton Cricket Club but is expecting a sober
atmosphere.
"This year, rather than having dancing, they are all bringing
donations and clothing. Air Lanka has said, because of all the
empty seats, they will take goods given to them across free of
charge," she said.
Outdoor parties are also being held in Aberdeen, Glasgow and
Stirling.
Last year, celebrations were called off at the last minute in
Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Liverpool and Newcastle due to the bad
weather.
In Edinburgh, several bands are playing to 100,000
ticket-holders.
Quiet night in
At midnight 150,000 more people were expected to take to the
streets to watch fireworks by Christophe Berthonneau, who
masterminded the Eiffel Tower Millennium and the Athens Olympics
displays.
Glasgow was expecting 25,000 to turn out for its celebrations in
George Square.
But a survey early this week suggested many people were planning a
quiet evening in.
According to the survey, almost eight out of 10 had been put off by
high prices in clubs and bars as well as public transport
difficulties, and would not go out to celebrate.
Nonetheless, figures suggest that each Briton would be spending an
average £90 celebrating the evening.
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