Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa 1992
Gary Robertson was the 1992 Lerwick Junior Guizer Jarl, representing Hakon Paulsson. This was the 37th Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa Festival.
About the Jarl's Guizer name
The Junior Jarl this year chose to represent Hakon Paulsson who was a cousin to Magnus Erlendsson - this years senior jarl.
Hakon, along with his brother Erling, grew up to be very arrogant, though tall, strong and talented in many. ways. The cousins could not agree and parted on hostile terms.
When Hakon reached manhood he would regularly go on raiding expeditions.
Because of the quarrels with Magnus he was persuaded to leave Orkney. This he did and went first to Norway, then on to Sweden. He stayed a while but soon became homesick and returned to Orkney.
A year or two after the death of St Magnus, Hakon went again to Norway where the kings gave him the title of earl.
Shortly after Hakon came to power in Orkney his cousin Magnus returned from Scotland to claim his inheritance. His many friends were keen that he should rule. Hakon was unwilling to give up the land but Magnus was called to Norway and given the title of Earl and given half or Orkney to rule with Hakon. They got on well together for a time, fought together and killed Thorbjorn at Burrafirth, Shetland.
Malicious tongues set about to destroy their friendship however. Hakon became envious of the popularity and splendour of his cousin.
A meeting was agreed to take place in Egilsay during Easter week, for a final settlement. Magnus went with two ships, but Hakon took eight ships. Magnus was taken captive and put to death by Hakon. Hakon then ruled all Orkney again and grew to be a fine administrator and was very popular.
This years galley was named Kolvarøv, meaning the Ness of Sound or a Sound near Lerwick.
The Muster
Guizers mustered on the Lower Hillhead at 5.15pm and the light-up signalled by a MAROON, was at 5.30pm precisely. The route was along the Lower Hillhead, down King Erik Street, around the South Playing Field and into the North Playing Field. After the guizers circled the inside of the north field the last rites took place in the centre of the park. 'The Feast, the Dance, the Song" for the Junior guizers and their friends was in the Anderson High School on Monday 3rd February, where they were visited by the Senior Jarl and some of his men.
The Galley was on view at the Anderson High School car park from 9.30am to 11.00am before the Junior Jad and his Squad, along with the galley and the Lerwick Pipe Band, marched north along Commercial Street to the foot of Harbour Street starting from the Post Office at approximately 11.15am, then proceeded to Sound Primary School. The galley was on view at Islesburgh Community Centre until about 3.00pm.
Names of School Squads
1. Hakon's Heroes (15)
2. Workmen's Night Out (7)
3. The Broons (11)
4. Animals onParade (7)
5. Cluedo (5)
6. Dizzy and the Yolk Folk (4)
7. Bearded Women (7)
8. Lemins (4)
9. Shetland Darts Players (7)
10. Weetabix Men (6)
11. WWF Wrestling (5)
12. Flower Powers (5)
13. Blues Brothers (10)
Total number of guizers = 93.
See also
