West Side scouts revive Viking festival
The 1st Walls and District Scouts revived the Walls Up-Helly-A’ on a fine evening on Saturday, the first time the event had been held in 10 years.
The events began at 7pm at the hall, with a procession led by Guizer Jarl Barnum and the Scouts’ Jarl’s Squad, pulling an original galley made by Mattie Williamson in 1990. They were followed by the Cub Scouts and Beaver Scouts who looked resplendent in their viking helmets, shields and torches, all made by themselves.
The (recently re-formed) Walls Brownie Guides, led by Elaine Drakeford, completed the ensemble as the procession continued to the beach where the bonfire and “burnable” galley were set alight by the Scout leader’s torches.
A good crowd gathered to watch the fire and fireworks, and sing the Up-Helly-A’ song, and following this everyone marched back to the hall for soup and sandwiches, more singing and a wonderful variety of acts compered by Bob Hudson. The acts were insterspersed with familiar dances from the Waas Band, and a raffle, tea and cakes, which in total raised over £350 for Scout funds.
A spokesman for the Walls Scout Committee said: “A huge thank you to all those who worked so hard to make the evening such a success, including Geordie and Michael for the bonfire and galley, the hall committee, the Waas Band, the Walls Shop, the squads, and finally all the folk who came along to support and enjoy the evening.”
List of Squads 1. Cub Scouts: Da Peerie Trows 2. Rainbow Brownie Guides: Girl Guide Musical 3. Scouts: Ready Steady Cook 4. Scouts: The S Factor Auditions 5. Scout Leaders: Abba Tributary 6. Walls Shop: Retail Therapy 7. Westside Players: Miss Waas 2009
