The story of a special Grogg for a very special person.
As most people who know their Groggs will know, I don’t make portraits anymore and haven’t done so for over 25 years. Sadly I don’t have the time, as it takes just as long for me to make a “one off” as it does to make a master figure for a new Grogg and the cost is prohibitive. However, there is always the exception that proves the rule. When I first heard Dennis Gethin was retiring from his role as President of the Welsh Rugby Union, I immediately had the idea of making a figure for him. We’ve known Dennis a long time, long before he was President of the WRU, but the way he took to his role was a personal inspiration. He became the figurehead for Welsh Rugby around the world and at the Groggshop we were all very proud to be able to say we knew Dennis and his “First Lady” Jan. Although he is accustomed to being in the company of Royalty and Heads of State, Dennis has never lost the common touch and is never more at home than when he’s supporting the grass roots of rugby in Wales. Over his record tenure, he has worked tirelessly with the WRU to ensure the game in Wales continues to develop in what are difficult times for club rugby. It was also Dennis who encouraged us to become involved with the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, which supports players who have suffered catastrophic injuries. It is a cause for which he has a heartfelt and passionate interest which led us to make them one of our designated charities. Mostly we like to think of Dennis as a friend and someone who over the years has had our interests at heart and therefore, the decision to make a Presidential Grogg was an easy one.
I first mentioned the idea to Jan, as we wanted it to be a surprise. Jan was thrilled with the idea and took on board the role of chief researcher, but during one of our many chats she mentioned that Dennis’s Grogg would not be complete without his favourite rimless glasses. Although initially worried about making something out of clay that is essentially floating in mid-air I put it to the back of my mind as I was keen to get started on “ Project X”. Dennis made a great subject and work went quickly, and as the deadline for the presentation approached Simon had been working on a plan for the glasses. With his more technical mind I was confident he would come up with a solution, but when it came time to glue the painstakingly made mini-lenses to the arms of the frames, the glue reacted and they frosted over. This left us with a week to think of a plan B. Luckily, Carly had the answer. One of our collectors, Matthew Castle at Lenstec in Bedwas, makes real lenses and after a quick enquiry I was on the way with mini Dennis strapped safely into the passenger seat. After a bit of head scratching the techno geniuses at Lenstec had created the tiny lenses and came up with a solution which required the figure to be held under a UV lamp for thirty minutes to cure the glue.
Picture courtesy of Matthew Castle at Lenstec
To say I was a little nervous is an understatement, but it worked and looked amazing…. I was so relieved. The figure was finally presented to Dennis at Saturday’s match against Ireland at the Principality Stadium, where the real Dennis was surrounded by friends and family for his final home appearance as the President of the Welsh Rugby Union. It was a privilege to be involved in this relaxed but special occasion. Dennis’ work isn’t quite over however, as he and Jan are due in Tokyo for the little matter of the Rugby World Cup. Fingers crossed Wales can send off Dennis and of course Warren and his coaching team, with a wonderful World Cup.
After all, if the Groggshop can make rimless glasses out of clay, anything is possible!
Picture courtesy of the WRU and Ben Evans at Welsh Rugby Pics
