Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa 1993
Tom Ward was the 1995 Lerwick Junior Guizer Jarl, representing Thorvald the Giant Slayer. This was the 38th Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa Festival.
About the Jarl's Guizer name
The Junior Jarl this year chose to represent "Thorvald the Giant Slayer" from the Fljótsdaela Saga.
Thorvald, an Icelander, sailed from Unaóss in the district of FljótsdaI. A fierce storm brought the ship to Shetland where it was driven ashore and broken into flinders and everything they had was lost, though the crew got ashore with their lives.
Thorvald was given shelter by Earl Björgólf for the winter. At Yuletide the household folk became very downcast and he discovered that the previous Yule the Earl's daughter, Droplaug had been abducted by a giant called Geiter and held captive in his cave by the sea.
Thorvald had a dream and the directions to the cave were given to him. He went to the cave and found Droplaug sitting alone chained to a rock wearing a red kirtle. He burst the chains and slayed the giant when he returned to his cave.
To confirm what had happened, Earl Björgólf, his men and Thorvald returned to the cave by boat. They saw where the fight had taken place and the Earl bade his men build a fire and haul the giant upon it and burn him to cold ashes so that they could be thrown on the sea.
Thorvald found most of his possessions that he lost in the shipwreck. Also in the cave was the giant's treasure which was divided among the men.
On their return to the Earl's hall, there was great feasting. The Earl gave his daughter, Droplaug, to Thorvald for his wife. Thorvald brought a ship and returned, with Droplaug, to Iceland.
This years galley was named Runa, after a Norwegian friend of the family.
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 1st 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. Jarl's Squad (15)
2. Have You Had Your Weetabix? (9)
3. Never Ready (6)
4. Donald Whaar's Your Trousers? (6)
5. Yokel Farmers (8)
6. Santa's Elves (6)
7. Chubby Dwarfs (5)
8. Cowboys (7)
9. Clowns (5)
10. Cannibals (12)
11. Male Models (12)
Total number of guizers = 91.
See also
