Hi All,
Apologies for the long lay-off but things have been busy here as usual and with the new season already upon us an update is long overdue. Personally I’m so happy to see the rugby kick off again – new competitions, new faces and hopefully- new Groggs. Wales in particular are looking good and were very unlucky in South Africa. I can’t wait for the Autumn internationals and I have a feeling we can do something special with this squad of players..no pressure Warren! Our old friend Graham Henry assured me this week Wales were looking good and he ought to know!
On the Grogg front things have been very busy. I have managed to do the hardest part of my job and finish things off whilst doing the best part of my job – starting new figures. The three British and Irish Lions -Shane, Ian Evans and Tommy Bowe have finally been “Lionised” which almost leaves us with a full test side. Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions legend Paul O’Connell will be added to the collection next week leaving only two positions left to fill (see if you can guess who they are!) and before anyone asks…yes I intend to make them both- eventually. That will make it the first time in our history to have made a complete British and Irish Lions team!
I have also completed our NEW Christmas decoration, no apologies for mentioning it in September as this will hopefully keep everyone happy in December! As to the new figures I am working on at the moment rugby fans will be pleased to hear that as Sonny Bill Williams is on his way to Wales with the All Blacks this Autumn I felt it was time he was “Grogged”. I have noticed reading feedback from collectors on the Grogg Blog and other social media that requests for Sonny appear regularly so I was pleased to hear he will be back with the New Zealand side this Year. Thanks again to Robert Van Der Steen for the interview on his Grogg Blog. It was an interesting process and got me thinking about projects old and new- even if it did take me over a month to get it written!
On the mini front Richard Hibbard was to be our new mini for Christmas but I’ve decided to make the Ospreys and Wales super flanker Justin Tipuric in time for the festive season -scrum cap and all. My other project this year will be Trigger from Fools and Horses – resplendent in his famous blue suit and holding his beloved sweeping brush he will make a great addition to the set.
As to next year the big Five O is almost upon us. I must admit it makes me a little nervous to be celebrating a Golden anniversary in a World Cup year, challenging but very exciting. I have a few ideas for commemorative pieces already but must keep them to myself for now.
For the World Cup the plan is to finish the mascot collection by making the mascots for the countries I haven’t made who are taking part in World Cup 2015. This makes for an interesting list of critters including the “Manumea” for Samoa (look it up!), a Sea Eagle for Tonga, an Oryx for Namibia, a Lynx for Romania, a Wolf for Georgia and the last spot is still to be decided between Russia and Uruguay. I’m rooting for Russia as I love making bears-sorry Uruguay nothing personal!
Last but not least it was great to be able to re-unite the British and Irish Lions front row of 2009 in a Blues strip. As our collectors are aware due to the pressure on our small group of painter’s club strips have become a little thin on the ground however we thought this was a rugby event worth celebrating. I can only think of one other club front row to represent the Lions and they were the legendary Pontypool front row in 1977. Here’s hoping the “Blues Lions” can emulate their illustrious forebears.
Well the new season kicked off with a bang last weekend and the adrenalin is pumping once again so it’s time to crack on and get my fingers back in the clay…
Cheers for now,
Richard,
World of Groggs
