Lerwick Up Helly Aa

[unlinkedstudent]

...

 

Noo come on, you surely have to accept that drinking to excess at up helly aa has always been an issue, as has the problem with younger people obtaining drink.

 

Therefore the organisers have a duty of care and should and must do what they can to encourage sensible drinking, as should the squads and members. ...

 

How often do you see squads with only 2 or 3 walking into halls towards the end as most if their squad has falling by the way side. Or fiddle box carriers supping out of a can?

 

We all have a responsibility to encourage sensible drinking, and the up Helly aa committee do a great job of organising a great festival, but more could be done regarding those who overindulge.

 

Surely though there's a difference between encouraging sensible drinking and stopping (under-aged) squad members from getting pished? I can understand to a degree not wanting a squad to be so far gone that they can't perform at the halls but why should squads "encourage" sensible drinking to all?

[owre-weel]

..., but more could be done regarding those who overindulge.

Specifically what?

 

As a responsible squad we used to ensure that fiddle box carriers were never given drink, the squad leader (who changed each year) was responsible to have a quiet word with any member who was getting too tipsy to do our act and at the greetin meeting we would expell persistent offenders from the squad.

 

These measures helped ensure we were always seen as a good squad who had the full squad up to the last hall to do our act.

 

Those expelled just joined other squads who may not have taken such a strong view, and we often met them during the night, usually getting a lift on our truck as they had lost their squad and were hardly able to string two words together.

 

It's a few years since I was out in the festival, so I don't know what is now issued squads to or discussed at mass meetings but I'm sure the committee must have some clout where drunken squads are concerned.

 

Just because this is a difficult issue to address, doesn't mean folk can bury their heads in the sand.

[owre-weel]

...

 

Noo come on, you surely have to accept that drinking to excess at up helly aa has always been an issue, as has the problem with younger people obtaining drink.

 

Therefore the organisers have a duty of care and should and must do what they can to encourage sensible drinking, as should the squads and members. ...

 

How often do you see squads with only 2 or 3 walking into halls towards the end as most if their squad has falling by the way side. Or fiddle box carriers supping out of a can?

 

We all have a responsibility to encourage sensible drinking, and the up Helly aa committee do a great job of organising a great festival, but more could be done regarding those who overindulge.

 

Surely though there's a difference between encouraging sensible drinking and stopping (under-aged) squad members from getting pished? I can understand to a degree not wanting a squad to be so far gone that they can't perform at the halls but why should squads "encourage" sensible drinking to all?

Yip your right about the difference re responsible and underage.

 

The reason we as a squad felt it was our responsibility to encourage sensible drinking was twofold.

 

Firstly if a member of the squad got out of hand not only was he a risk of being barred, but so was the squad leader.

 

Secondly, we spent months turning up at least twice a week to practice our act and relied on all members to take part, if someone fell by the wayside they ruined it for the rest of the squad and those watching the act.

 

For us it was important to put on a good act in all halls, this meant we kept down on those liable to overindulge and in the main it worked with most getting quite merry but not to the extent that they could not fully participate

[getaba1110]

[in my opinion it would be a great message to hear that Up Helly Aa endorses sensible drinking...now that really is a challenge to a brave Viking and any ‘Guizer Jarl’.

 

I'm glad that it's only just your 'opinion'. Why not leave the running of the various UHA's to the people who know what they are doing.

 

Never ever said they didn’t know what they are doing. However, attitudes towards drinking needs to change and like it or lump it Up Helly Aa has influence and therefore responsibility

[EM]

...

All very fair points. I was just wondering if you had any proposals which are not currently done. The committee takes pretty much that line and does indeed periodically sanction squads and guizers. The self regulation by squads you mention is indeed quite active, indeed it is not unknown for remorseful guizers to sanction themselves to avoid action needing to be taken further up the line.

[getaba1110]

Basically what I’m asking is... Should not ALL Up Helly Aa’s promote sensible drinking during the whole year including the night itself, squad meetings etc?

 

No they shouldn't because, that is NOT what AA's are about.

 

What business is it of any squad/AA committee that has not been elected by the majority of the population to stick it's nose into areas that are nothing to do with it?

 

It might be politically 'fashionable' to to join in with the latest 'don't do that, it's bad for you' type of crap that comes to us from all angles these days but, imho, squads etc. should resist the temptation to 'spread the word' and not allow themselves to be hijacked by the latest batch of 'do-gooders'.

 

Colin,

‘A do-gooder’...a definition...a naive idealist who supports philanthropic or humanitarian causes or reforms.

 

I’m guessing you don’t like them?...however, you can’t accuse them of being ostriches.

[Colin]

‘A do-gooder’...a definition...a naive idealist who supports philanthropic or humanitarian causes or reforms.

OK, so now we know what a do-gooder is... Does the definition fit you?

 

The point is that most UHA squads/committees are self regulating and the last thing they need or want is someone else setting their agenda any more than happens at present.

 

If you want to 'crusade' against the evils of drink etc. you're starting with the wrong people.

[owre-weel]

...

All very fair points. I was just wondering if you had any proposals which are not currently done. The committee takes pretty much that line and does indeed periodically sanction squads and guizers. The self regulation by squads you mention is indeed quite active, indeed it is not unknown for remorseful guizers to sanction themselves to avoid action needing to be taken further up the line.

 

Haven't given it that much thought, as I'm not on the committee and no longer go out in a squad or to a hall.

 

I do think there has been good steps taken over the years to reduce the amount totally intoxicated guisers. Look back 20 years and some the committee were amongst the worst where drink was involved. A lot of folk would not put themselves forward as it was joked to be a " 15 year apprentiship to become an alcoholic". I don't believe it is like that now.

 

Perhaps the committee should put out a questionnaire to all guisers asking for ideas of how it can help promote sensible drinking. If nothing else it will act as a reminder to the guisers and it would show that the committee are taking the issue seriously.

 

We should not forget, like in all walks if life, the majority can have a great night, some don't drink, some take a few and some will get quite merry, nothing wrong with that. However it's the minority who use it as an excuse to get plastered and cause issues for others at the same time as being poor ambassadors.

 

I suppose the one disappointment for me is those swigging out of tins and bottles during the muster and sometimes on route, I think this does nothing to promote the festival ans Shetland as a whole. Perhaps they could take a stronger stance on that. But it is just my view.

[owre-weel]

Basically what I’m asking is... Should not ALL Up Helly Aa’s promote sensible drinking during the whole year including the night itself, squad meetings etc?

 

No they shouldn't because, that is NOT what AA's are about.

 

What business is it of any squad/AA committee that has not been elected by the majority of the population to stick it's nose into areas that are nothing to do with it?

 

It might be politically 'fashionable' to to join in with the latest 'don't do that, it's bad for you' type of crap that comes to us from all angles these days but, imho, squads etc. should resist the temptation to 'spread the word' and not allow themselves to be hijacked by the latest batch of 'do-gooders'.

 

Colin,

‘A do-gooder’...a definition...a naive idealist who supports philanthropic or humanitarian causes or reforms.

 

I’m guessing you don’t like them?...however, you can’t accuse them of being ostriches.

 

There's no doubt that the various up Helly aa committees have a responsibility to ensure the festivals they organise and run are done safely and promoting sensible drinking at these festivals makes a lot of sense. However I don't believe they are responsible to promote safe drinking throughout the year.

[getaba1110]

‘A do-gooder’...a definition...a naive idealist who supports philanthropic or humanitarian causes or reforms.

OK, so now we know what a do-gooder is... Does the definition fit you?

 

The point is that most UHA squads/committees are self regulating and the last thing they need or want is someone else setting their agenda any more than happens at present.

 

If you want to 'crusade' against the evils of drink etc. you're starting with the wrong people.

 

Colin, please don’t disappear into the sand...try to avoid the threats...let’s approach this issue in a grown-up manor.

 

Part of our culture is Up Helly Aa; Part of our culture is Heavy Drinking; Part of Up Helly Aa is Heavy Drinking...Up Helly Aa playing its part to prompt sensible drinking surely can’t be wrong?

 

I try never to forget those affected by alcohol abuse.

 

PS I’m far from good enough to be considered a ‘do-gooder’...perhaps a little naive when to comes to hoping that all attitudes will change.

[Scorrie]

‘A do-gooder’...a definition...a naive idealist who supports philanthropic or humanitarian causes or reforms.

OK, so now we know what a do-gooder is... Does the definition fit you?

 

The point is that most UHA squads/committees are self regulating and the last thing they need or want is someone else setting their agenda any more than happens at present.

 

If you want to 'crusade' against the evils of drink etc. you're starting with the wrong people.

 

Colin, please don’t disappear into the sand...try to avoid the threats...let’s approach this issue in a grown-up manor.

 

Part of our culture is Up Helly Aa; Part of our culture is Heavy Drinking; Part of Up Helly Aa is Heavy Drinking...Up Helly Aa playing its part to prompt sensible drinking surely can’t be wrong?

 

I try never to forget those affected by alcohol abuse.

 

PS I’m far from good enough to be considered a ‘do-gooder’...perhaps a little naive when to comes to hoping that all attitudes will change.

 

I can see it now.....

 

The new Guizer Jarl this year would be Harald Shandypants...

 

...possibly Thorkel Softdrinkswigger next year?

 

[Colin]

[Colin, please don’t disappear into the sand...try to avoid the threats...let’s approach this issue in a grown-up manor.

 

And there's your problem. I'm not burying my head anywhere because I don't see it as a threat in the way that you do.

I just don't see why UHA Squads/Committees should be 'forced' to adhere to your agenda.

As for not approaching your perceived 'issue' in a grown up manner, that is exactly what I am doing. If I don't see it as an 'issue', why should I subscribe to your point of view?

Bottom line is that if you are not in a squad or on a committee, keep your nose out of things or, if you feel that strongly about it, get involved but, don't sit back sniping at what the majority of others see as a good night out.

[daveh]

I have never put myself forward to join a squad as I hardly ever drink alcohol. A couple of cans of guinness or belhaven a week is my average and I often go a week or two with no alcohol intake at all.

 

Has there ever been a teetotal squad in the UHA, perchance?

[daveh]

Deleted

[getaba1110]

‘A do-gooder’...a definition...a naive idealist who supports philanthropic or humanitarian causes or reforms.

OK, so now we know what a do-gooder is... Does the definition fit you?

 

The point is that most UHA squads/committees are self regulating and the last thing they need or want is someone else setting their agenda any more than happens at present.

 

If you want to 'crusade' against the evils of drink etc. you're starting with the wrong people.

 

Colin, please don’t disappear into the sand...try to avoid the threats...let’s approach this issue in a grown-up manor.

 

Part of our culture is Up Helly Aa; Part of our culture is Heavy Drinking; Part of Up Helly Aa is Heavy Drinking...Up Helly Aa playing its part to prompt sensible drinking surely can’t be wrong?

 

I try never to forget those affected by alcohol abuse.

 

PS I’m far from good enough to be considered a ‘do-gooder’...perhaps a little naive when to comes to hoping that all attitudes will change.

 

I can see it now.....

 

The new Guizer Jarl this year would be Harald Shandypants...

 

...possibly Thorkel Softdrinkswigger next year?

 

 

 

Scorrie, could I please clarify for you...sensible drinking doesn’t mean drinking soft drinks. But, if you wish to that’s also fine...I’ve known guizers to have a very good night drinking soft drinks