The wires loop from light to light - ceiling rose to ceiling rose. There will be a cable coming in - a cable going out and another cable going off to the light switch - unless its the last rose in the chain - then only two cables.
In the UK Older wiring is Red & Black - New Euro colours are Brown & Blue.
This link shows a ceiling rose in Euro Colours with three cables
http://www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/lighting_ceiling_rose_looped.cs4
This link the older colours
http://www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/lighting_ceiling_rose_other_colours.cs4
Notice that the Permanent Live connection does not go directly to the light - Just In & Out & to the Switch
Notice that the Switched Live to turn the light on and off is on a wire that has the look of a neutral about it - but it isn't - when the switch is set to On this wire is Live. It should have a Red or Brown Sleeve on it as an indication that it's switched live.
At the ceiling - somewhere in the void you will need Four connections.
Permanent live (3 wires - In - Out - and to Switch)
Switched Live (2 wires - From switch and to Lamp)
Neutral (3 wires - In - Out - and from Lamp)
Earth (4 wires - one from each cable and one for the light fitting if required)
If you're doing away with the ceiling rose you will have to use a terminal block to get the four connections.
If switched live is not identified in some way then this will present you with a problem.
Permanent live wires are all joined together and to Nothing Else - there will be no connection for these 3 wires on your new light fitting - you will need to organise this connection through your own ingenuity.
Take care - Good luck...
Peccavi
March 2011