Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa 2008
Roy Wood was the 2008 Lerwick Junior Guizer Jarl, representing Sigurd The Dragon Slayer. This was the 53rd Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa Festival.
About the Jarl's Guizer name
Roy chose to portray Sigurd the Dragon Slayer this year - a legendary hero of Norse mythology.
His story began when the Norse Gods forced a dwarf to give them his gold because they needed to pay for their misdeeds in the past. The dwarf's curse on the treasure, which included a fabulous golden ring, brought disaster to its new owner the god Kreidmar who was killed by his two sons Fafnir and Regin. Fafnir then stole the gold and went to live in a wasteland, guarding it by taking the shape of a dragon. Regin, who had brought up the young Sigurd, tempted him to recover the treasure, so Sigurd set out to kill the dragon.
Regin made Sigurd a special sword, named Gram, which was so powerful that it cut right through the anvil. He advised Sigurd to dig a pit, wait for Fafnir to walk over it, and then stab the dragon in the heart. The blood ofthe dragon had magic properties, and bathing in it ensured that no weapon could harm Sigurd in the future. As the dragon neared, Sigurd waited until the beast's heart was directly above him and thrust upwards, two-handed, with all his strength. The sword gram pierced the iron scales; its point ran into Fanfir's evil heart, soaking Sigurd in a waterfall of blood. The dragon screamed and writhed in his death agony, his jaws flat on the ground with wreaths of smoke rising from his nostrils. As Sigurd lifted the treasure he glanced over his shoulder and saw Regin just about to strike him with a dagger. With a swift stroke of his sword he sliced off Regin's head.
Sigurd climbed back into the saddle of his horse, Grani, and galloped off. Soon he saw a glow in the sky coming from a ring of fire encircling a magnificent castle. Grani felt Sigurd's knees grip and with a huge leap he cleared the magic burning circle and landed in the castle courtyard. In the centre of the courtyard lay a fully armed warrior. Sigurd cut through the armour and discovered a beautiful young woman Brynhild - he placed the golden ring on her finger and declared that he would love her forever. But soon Sigurd found another lover, and Brynhild had him killed, stabbed in the only spot which had not been drenched in the dragons' blood. Later, filled with remorse, she threw her own body on Sigurd's funeral pyre.
Scenes depicting the Dragonslayer legend can be seen today in wood carvings on the ancient stave kirk at Hylestand in Setesdal in Norway, and on a memorial stone on the Isle of Man.
This years galley was named Kylie, after his sister.
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 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 the following Monday, 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. Junior Jarl's Squad (15)
2. Engineers (5)
3. Spice Girls AHS (5)
4. Gorgeous Gals (7)
5. Funny Men (4)
6. Rugby Boys (10)
7. Little Miss Shetland (5)
8. Pussycat Dolls (5)
9. Comical Clowns (7)
10. Bells Brae Brainiacs (4)
11. Nicolsons Wirk Oot (7)
12. Glaswegian Ninjas (5)
13. Diving Dida (5)
14. Pirates of the Caribbean (6)
15. Spice Girls Bells Brae (2)
16. Idiots (2)
Total number of guizers = 94.
See also
