Northmavine Up Helly Aa 2011

Programme Cover.

The 2011 Bill, click to read.
Bill Head painted by Ivor Johnson.
Photo by Kozetland1.

2011 Jarl's Squad Shield.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Jarl Ian Nicolson on his Galley.
Photo by Kozetland1.

The 2011 Northmavine Up Helly Aa took place on Friday 18th February, with Guizer Jarl Ian Nicolson representing Njordr.

The years galley Höulma Sund was taken from the Galley Shed at Urafirth in the early hours to the small car park outside The Booth at Hillswick, where she remained on display until the late afternoon. The Bill was also on display near the galley.

The Jarl's squad comprised 33 members (all male) and were accompanied by 5 musicians (including Peter Sinclair the 1975 Jarl). During the morning the Jarl and his squad visited the Urafirth Primary School, followed by a photo shoot at Eshaness, the Ollaberry Primary School and the North Roe Primary School. After lunch at the North Roe and Lochend Hall the Jarl's Squad visited the galley at Hillswick for photographs, followed by a visit to the Brae Care Centre. The galley was then taken to the Hillswick Hall ready for the evening procession and burning.

From 7pm onwards the 16 guizing squads began to muster at the Hillswick Hall. The light-up was at 8pm with the procession and the galley marching north with the Lerwick Brass Band on a cold and windy evening towards the burning site on the loch 'The Wadill' at Urafirth. Höulma Sund with torches thrown in was floated out into the Loch on her inaugural and final voyage.

After the burning the squads departed to the halls to perform their acts into the early hours.

The shield design was a copper relief of the Drongs near Hillswick. The Jarl had a painted shield also showing the Drongs. The squad helmets were unusual as the wings were from Greylag Geese and were therefore larger then Crow wings. To help keep them on in the wind each helmet had a chin strap.

The 2011 Jarl's Squad were: Ian Nicolson (Jarl), G. A. Nicolson, Duane Nicolson, Bruce Stephen, John Stephen, Andy Stephen, Jim Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Merv Jamieson, Bruce Wilcock, Nick Cope, Willie Grieve, Martin Gilbertson, John Sandison, Colin Hughson, Andrew Clubb, G.M. Nicolson, Stuart Johnson, Peter Johnson, Christopher Williamson, Marc Williamson, Murray Jamieson, Derek Robertson, Jerry Ramsay, Ivan Ramsay, Robbie Anderson, John Scollay, Ivor Johnson, Kevin Jamieson, David Brown, Erik Robertson, Kenny Peterson, Alec Couper, Ryan Couper, Stewart Grains, Peter Sinclair, James Leask, Adam Johnson.

During the Day

The Jarl's Squad visited all three of the North Mainland Schools during the morning - Urafirth, Ollaberry & North Roe, along with the Care Centre at Brae during the afternoon.

Urafirth School.

Jarls Squad at Urafirth School.
Photo by Kozetland1.

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Ollaberry School.

Jarls Squad at Ollaberry School.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Photo by Kozetland1.

David Brown & son.
Photo by Kozetland1.

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Ollaberry & North Roe School.

Jarls Squad at Ollaberry School.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Jarls Squad at Ollaberry School.

North Roe School.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Jarls Squad at North Roe School.
Photo by Kozetland1.

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Jarls Squad at North Roe School.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Jarls Squad Wings at North Roe School.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Musicians at North Roe School.
Photo by Kozetland1.

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Around 3pm the Jarls Squad visited the Galley at Hillswick for a photo shoot.

Jarls Squad on Galley at Hillswick.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Squad at Hillswick.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Jarls Squad musicians at Hillswick.
Photo by Kozetland1.

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The Galley

The 2011 Galley's name was Höulma Sund. She had a ram and was flat-bottomed with no additional flotation added for burning on water.

The Galley Höulma Sund.
Photo by Kozetland1.

The Galley bow.
Photo by Kozetland1.

The Galley stern.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Galley interior.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Galley Head and Ram.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Galley Nameplate.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Galley Tail.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Flat-bottom on Galley.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Galley Shields painted by Fiona Cope - these were replicated 3 times on each side.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Galley with 'North' sign.
Photo by Kozetland1.

2011 Galley Builders.
Stuart Anderson, Ivor Hughson, Derek Robertson, Andy Stephen, John Sandison, George Magnus Nicolson.

2011 Torchmakers.
Ewan Mowat, Grant Anderson, Ivor Duncan, Ivor Hughson, George Magnus Nicolson, Stuart Tulloch, John Sandison, Neill Doull.

The Evening Muster

Squad members began mustering at the Hillswick Hall around 7pm. The 16 Squads were: 1. Jarl's Squad, 2. Run A.V.W., 3. T.I.T.S (TOTAL in tender selection), 4. Fir Heavens Sake Tak me Oot!, 5. Handbags & Gladrags, 6. Hairspray Helly on Tour, 7. Jiggle Jaggle, 8. Thriller in Vanilla, 9. Chilli Con Carnage, 10. Bearded Ladies, 11. Man I Feel Like a Jarl, 12. 5 Express, 13. Could it be Magic, 14. No Likie No Lightie, 15. Whacky Races, 16. Toosh Boosh.

Squads mustering at Hillswick Hall.
Photo by Kozetland1.

Guizer at Hillswick Hall.
Photo by Kozetland1.

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The Procession and Burning

The squads formed up into the procession and at 8pm the light-up commenced. The procession moved off with the Jarl aboard his Galley to the burning site on the loch 'The Wadill' at Urafirth. Höulma Sund with torches thrown in was floated out into the Loch on her inaugural and final voyage.