1965 - Jarl John Henderson

The 1965 Festival took place on 26th February

This year's Guizer Jarl was John William Henderson from Gloup. John is a second generation Jarl, after his father was Jarl in 1958.

Galley Name:- THOR

John's Jarl Squad

  • Bruce Spence (Easterhouse) [Former Jarl]
  • Alex Moar (Gloup)
  • Angus Henry (Haa 'o' Houlland)
  • Robert Tulloch Snr (North Brough)

 

Videos

Squad List

1 - GUIZER JARL'S SQUAD

White tunics, black cloaks, raven head-dress, white and black tights. A very good looking lot

2 - COME DANCING

Based on the TV Come Dancing; teams competing against one another and the judges awarded the cup for the best team. A very good and colourful squad.

3 - THE BEACHCOMERS

An act based on the dangerous barrels that have been washed ashore. Two worthies going to the receiver of wrecks with the barrel and the "men fae da south" arriving and rendering it harmless? A very realistic squad

4 - YOU WOULDN'T SEE IF IT WASN'T FOR ME

An eye specialist entered his consulting room where his patients were waiting, where-upon he tested their eyes and fitted them out with some queer looking glasses, which, it seems, were no use as they arrested him for a rogue and bundled him from the hall. Anither good squad

5 - THE COURT CASE

The judge entered the courtroom where the witnesses for and against the accused were. The police then entered with the accused and after hearing the case the poor lad was let off. A very good act

6 - THE CORGI

This was based on a wandering dog. Some of the squad entered the hall and after talking about the wandering dog one of them saw him passing the door and got him to come into the room where they had a job to catch him and tie tins to his tail. A very good Corgi and amusing squad

7 - S.K.A

A skit on the factory at North-a-Voe. The squad all entered the hall with knitting machines and placards on their backs and after knitting away for a while took up partners and started to dance. Another good squad

8 - THE WATER SCHEME

Some of the squad entered the hall but did not know what to do until the officials arrived. (Shades of the Z.C.C) When they did arrive they divined for water, which they found but turned out to be whisky which they drank until they were fu'. A very amusing lot.

9 - SNAKES ALIVE

This was the best dressed and most colourful squad in the hall. Snakes for headgear and very colourful dresses, they entered the hall with their baskets of snakes where they played their snake charmers music and the snakes got up out of their baskets. A very good squad

10 - FURTHER EDUCATION

Based on the new Mid Yell school. The squad entered the hall as joiners and brickies and put up a very good school in no time at all. A very good act.

Photos:

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Shetland Times Articles:

The annual festival of Up Helly Aa was held at Cullivoe last Tuesday. Ideal weather conditions, a very capable and efficient Guizer Jarl, and a good turn out made the 1965 festival one of the best-ever staged at Cullivoe. Promptly at 8 p.m. Mr John Henderson, this year's Guizer Jarl boarded his beautiful longship 'Thor' and escorted by his Jarl's squad led the fine torch light procession to the burning site at the public hall. After circling the galley and singing the galley song the Jarl called for cheers for the galley and torch makers. The torches were then thrown into the galley which was soon alight and burning brightly.

The company then adjourned to the hall where, following the Jarl's speech and the acts of the various squads and reading out the telegrams, dancing commenced and continued with unflagging enthusiasm until the early hours of the following morning

Telegrams / Messages:

  • 'Best wishes, big blaze tonight ' - James and Joan, Edinburgh

  • 'Best wishes for a good night wish I was with you' - Robert, S.S Brandon Priory, Portishead Radio

  • 'Hope you have a happy night, big blaze ' - Netta and Andrew, Cullivoe

  • 'Best wishes for a happy night ' - Andrew, Joan and Alexis, Aberdeen

  • 'Hope you have a good night and plenty of lotion' - Alan and Jack, M.V. Melrose, Dundee.

  • 'Hope you have a bright fire and happy night' - Lawrence, Tillicoultry

  • 'All the best for tonight ' - Margaret, Bruce Hostel

  • 'Best wishes for a grand night, big blaze' - Ivor, St. Ninian, Leith

  • 'Best wishes for a successful festival ' - Robbie, Jessamine and family, Lerwick

  • 'Best wishes for a successful festival' - Uyeasound Up Helly Aa Committee

  • 'Best wishes for a successful festival ' - Muriel and Ruth, Baltasound

  • 'Best wishes for a good blaze and a clear night ' - May and Mac, Selkirk