1973

This year's Guizer Jarl was Laurence Thomas Williamson from Allanbrae.

Galley Name:- ELLIDI

Shetland Times Article:

'Despite inclement weather, on Thurday night a large crowd gathered at Burnside, Cullivoe to see this year's Guizer Jarl, Mr Laurence Williamson of Sellafirth, in his longship "Ellidi" start the procession at 8pm.

The brightly painted longship looked very impressive as 118 guizers, a record number, lit their torches and followed the Jarl and his crew, heartily rendering the Up-Helly-A' song.

It was a magnificent sight seeing the guizers wend their way past Greenbank Terrace to the burning site near the Cullivoe Public Hall. The guizers and spectators joined together to sing "The Norseman's Home". The Jarl alighted from his longship for the three cheers for the festival, replied to with three cheers for the Jarl.

The Guizer Jarl and his crew received a great welcome when they entered the hall and took their positions on the platform. The spectators were welcomed by the Jarl who thanked all who had helped in this year's festival. It was gratifying, he said that squads from throughout the isle and Lerwick gave their support.

After the acts tea was served and dancing commenced. The Mid Yell and Cullivoe bands supplied the music and during the night solos were rendered by Ian Clark and John Williamson. The Dancing continued with gusto until after 4am when the Guizer Jarl issued an invitation to the guizer's hop on Friday night.

Although the hop started a little later than 9pm it continued until after 3am. There was a large attendance and all seemed to enjoy the night's entertainment.

After supper Mrs Andrina Tulloch and Mr John Tulloch sang.

At the conclusion of the evening the Jarl's crew carried him shoulder high round the hall and the crowd sang "For he's a jolly good fellow".'

Telegrams Received:

"Best wishes for a successful festival." - Uyeasound Up-Helly-A' Committee

"Best wishes for a good festival. Regret cannot be with you" - Daniel, M.V. Lerwick Trader

"Best wishes for good festival. Yell for Lowrie tonight." - County architect's staff, Lerwick

"Hope the torches burn bright in Cullivoe tonight. A good night had by all." - Isobel and Karl, Scalloway

"All best wishes to crew of the longship Ellidi. Hope you all have a jolly night." - Henry, Muriel and family, Hillrise, Lerwick

"Will be looking for the lowe in the sky tonight. Happy night to all" - Bertie and Cissie, Lerwick

"Our best wishes go to Up-Helly-A'. We think of you and shout out skoal. We wish we were there with you tonight." - Margaret and Lawrence at Cape Wrath Light

"Best wishes for a successful festival." - Kate and Alan, Inverness

"Best wishes for successful Up-Helly-A', 1973." - May and Mac, Selkirk

"Fair weather and successful festival." - Jem, Aberdeen

Laurence's Jarl Squad:

Danny Anderson [Midfield] (Future Jarl)
James W Henry [Sellafirth]
Tammie Thomson [Sellafirth]
James Tulloch

1973 Proclamation:

The GUIZER JARL decress that Guizers with GREY BEARDS shall crew the galley and JOIN ER at Burnside at 8pm. So as their LAURE is to enchaNCE. Other guizers shall rALLy AN be ready on the BurnBRAE. Non committee members who stir up a BaLOO will be CLEANED OUT and be made a special EXample and attend no MOAR WEDDINGs after UP-HELLY-A'.

The welcome's warm at Cullivoe an' gets hotter da farther nort you go. Tonight the place is all aglow so welcome tae wir Viking Show.

Wis Robbie dodgin' Guild's pied ruil, or did he mean tae cross da puil
Shune he saw his windscreen shatter, afore he even reached da watter.
Guid feth he shurly got some fright, he's seldom touched her fae dat night.

With grace and style she bore the HAGGIS, gentle and ladylike wis AGNES.
But haggis BRU wi' one big splash, brought her dignity down crash.
Filling sausage skins night an' day, Pop goes da weasel.

Leave aa an' mak fur Smithfield Brae, Ta tow hom' da WHITE DIESEL.

Wi' storm force winds an' flowin sea, da wreck drifts in da voe;
An urgent call from 203, says go boy ANDROO go.
Aroond da voe against wind an' spray, he treats it aa wi' scorn
But his boat wis safe in da setter cru, whor she's been tempest born.

Things we'd like to know:
Is it time GENTLEMAN please, to MUSTER up da Brae?
Is it a VICTORy to be a BEAUTY QUEEN?
Was ROBERT at SCHOOL for work or play?
Who nominated the DUMB COUNCILLOR? Dem dat did it last time, surely winna do it noo.
Who FIRED ROUND THREE, could it have been W.B.?
Who said FIRE ROUND FOUR, could it have been the COMMODORE?
Would GEORDIE have won da CUP, if we hadn't clewed up?
If you come to Cullivoe, thinkin you're in Burravoe, will you get your services suspended?
If you zig zag ower da CLIPTER BRIG, will you get your services rendered? Or maybe get a BLAIcK IEe.

There once was a young crofting sheil
Who garaged his tractoR sO weel;
But a flying south **unreadable**
Brought hIm rEal disaster
And bruckit the lot in da keel.

Will ICELANDERs patrolling north of the 12 mile limit, give THREE WHEELERS a Wide Berth or tHEN DERwill SOoN be an INSURANCE CLAIM.

Must you be FRENCHto get a GOODS LICENSE so as to provide your SELF a SERVICE.

Da islesman's life in years gone by, he spent rowin tae da haaf.
Aa you heard wis ouskerry, helm-pin an huggie staff.
Da islesman's life is different noo, Nae buorop, sinker or heuk
Aa you hear is spool or cloo, side weights or dan work hook.

We TRUST that in 9 days time MEMBERS from SOUTH and NORTH with A VOicE will AGREE to meet at a CENTRAL point and AIR their views, if no they will get STRIPPed and submerged in a big CUPP-A-clay and STIRred round and round THE ISLAND.

To be referred by the GUIZER JARL from the AIR o CUNNISTER. Members who write sLOGANs on AIR travel may sail by CAR FERRY from ULSTA to CUPPISTER to be in time.

EX JARL members who call regularly at ULSTA may depart from HILL o' BREAKON and travel via Cuppister. Unsatisfied customers can alight at WEST SANDWICK, have an ICEd drink and LANd DERe in time to TAKE THE CHAIRs.

They set out for SellAfirth to see a show of slides, but when they saw the snow had lowsed, they thought they widna bide. They Got sae far an then they stUck, and o for Sic a plight, They had to leave the MORRIS, and take lodgings for the night.

WANTED:
HALLKEEPER, Not a GORDON for me.
SHETLANDERS to TOW the line and BARGE ahead. Sign on at 10pm for MOAR
Blood donEr for NoRTh end requirED on CHRISTMAS EVE.
MOAR PLANTS for RABBITS or ROBBIE's EWE.

Defacers of our bill will be forced to flee from the GREEN BANKs of the river and MUSTER on the hilltops until they can be transported by CARs And VANs to a more appropriate SITE.

By order and under the seal of the Guizer Jarl

Squads:

Jarl's Squad (5)
This year's Guizer Jarl wore a purple cloak lined with orange satin and a bright metal breastplate. The crew wore royal blue cloaks lined with blue satin and metal breastplates with varied designs. The squad looked authentic and very colourful.

Space Age Western (11)
Five Indians entered the hall singing and dancing. They wore Indian style dress complete with war-paint and bows and arrows. Five cowboys entered singing "Home on the Range", after which a brief skirmish ensued between both parties. This was interrupted by the arrival of a space age creature.

Teddy Bear's Picnic (10)
The schoolteacher decided to interrupt the routine at school and take his pupils to the woods for a picnic. The Teddy Bears also had the same idea and commenced their picnic singing "Teddy Bears' Picnic". They handed out chocolate teddy bears to young members of the audience, unfortunately the two parties met and the schoolteacher was abducted by the bears.

Cowboys and Indians (14)
This colourful group entertained the audience with song. Unfortunately they were attacked by a group of Indians and a battle ensued.

Nothing in Common (13)
This squad represented the entry of Britain into the Common Market. Each guizer represented a country and bartering was carried out with great enthusiasm. During the bartering an old Shetland couple entered and the countries wanted to barter with them. The act ended with the "auld wife" taking tins of oil from her kishie and the couple walking off.

Happy Event (8)
A very humerous wedding sketch complete with wedding cake and refreshments. After the ceremony and cake-cutting the bride's reel was danced by the company to a lively accompaniment. Among much merriment the bridal party was showered with confetti.

Red White and Blue (9)
As this title suggests this squad dressed in the above colours, and carried Union Jack flags. They sang "Rule Britannia" and performed a formation dance. On leaving the hall they saluted the Jarl.

A Night at the Local Pub (7)
A very effective background, complete with bar, bottles, measures and telephone was used in this act. The sketch highlighted some of the hilarious happenings in Yell's new pub. The characters were very realistic and none laughed more heartily than the members of the audience who were portrayed.

Lucky Dip (7)
An old crofting couple were being visited by friends who had just arrived on the south boat when the phone rang to tell them they had won a raffle. The old man immediately put the glasses out thinking it was a bottle but to their amazement it was a huge pig. Unfortunately the pig turned ill and after paying the P.O. considerable revenue for phone calls the vet was contacted in Fetlan. The vet diagnosed a stoppage and operated immediately with great success as could be seen when the pig was chased out of the hall.

Now or never (12)
Another humerous wedding sketch complete with page boy in a kilt. After the ceremony and Shetland reel the happy couple had their photographs taken. The audience was entertained by a very varied selection of telegrams. When the groom was unable to lift his bride she picked the groom up and carried him from the hall.

Ting-a-Ling (12)
The guizers, in very bright shirts and trousers entered the hall ringing very small hand bells. They wore large silver bells on their heads and had small ones sewn on their trousers. Needless to say they sang "Ting-a-Ling" but the audience appreciated their own additional, local verses.

Swan Lake (10)
A very energetic squad. They wore white tu-tus and danced their own version of Swan Lake.

Photos: