Up Helly Aa's and more
Posted: Wednesday, 23 January 2008 |
Phew, that's Scalloway Fire Festival finished for this year!
A perfect evening for the procession and burning, and for visiting the halls during the night. Not to mention the activities that took place during the rest of the weekend. The second weekend was the "Return" where all the acts are reprised in the Scalloway Hall for the benefit of other guizers. Another great night of entertainment.
I am now deep in the midst of final preparations for what will be a one and only guest appearance in the Jarl Squad for Lerwick Up Helly Aa. A hugely busy week lies ahead. Visitations to schools, hospitals and Town Hall on tuesday, and all climaxed with the torchit procession through the streets of Lerwick and the burning of the Galley. A night of festivities follows with visits to 12 halls throughout the night.
Any Island Bloggers out there visiting the event - then I'll be easily spotted - dressed as a Viking and with a beard. You'll have a one in 56 chance of being right!
However, it has not been all fun and games during the month. - Sadly, a good friend, Rowing team mate, and an ex member of our Trondra Men's fire festival squad died suddenly at the age of 48. He was remembered with an exemplary minute's silence before the burning of the Scalloway galley, and tributes at his very well attended funeral. As I seem to remember someone else commenting recently in a blog, there have been far too many early deaths in Shetland in recent months.
A perfect evening for the procession and burning, and for visiting the halls during the night. Not to mention the activities that took place during the rest of the weekend. The second weekend was the "Return" where all the acts are reprised in the Scalloway Hall for the benefit of other guizers. Another great night of entertainment.
I am now deep in the midst of final preparations for what will be a one and only guest appearance in the Jarl Squad for Lerwick Up Helly Aa. A hugely busy week lies ahead. Visitations to schools, hospitals and Town Hall on tuesday, and all climaxed with the torchit procession through the streets of Lerwick and the burning of the Galley. A night of festivities follows with visits to 12 halls throughout the night.
Any Island Bloggers out there visiting the event - then I'll be easily spotted - dressed as a Viking and with a beard. You'll have a one in 56 chance of being right!
However, it has not been all fun and games during the month. - Sadly, a good friend, Rowing team mate, and an ex member of our Trondra Men's fire festival squad died suddenly at the age of 48. He was remembered with an exemplary minute's silence before the burning of the Scalloway galley, and tributes at his very well attended funeral. As I seem to remember someone else commenting recently in a blog, there have been far too many early deaths in Shetland in recent months.
Posted on ArdnortRupshot at 13:32