Hi Groggies,
Apologies for the delay in my update but I’ve been a very busy boy. I had to hit the ground running after the New Year but I have finally had five minutes to catch up, so here goes.
The good news on the Grogg front is that as well as completing the Richie McCaw and World Cup, I have finally managed to finish a Mini Leigh Halfpenny which will be available soon, complete with his famous scrum cap! As Grogg fans will have noticed I have also remodelled Leigh’s 9” Ltd Ed which was long overdue for a makeover as Leigh has changed a lot in the last 3 years. This was modelled before Christmas but, like the Huw Bennett Grogg, had to be kept ‘under wraps’ as it wouldn’t be available until now.
I was very relieved to see the ‘Captain Fantastic’ Richie McCaw finally fired and painted. As with all these projects the idea seems great at the time but I tend to forget that adding little details like ferns instead of grass all has to be modelled and not just thought about – ho hum, such is a Grogg makers life. Anyway, I was very happy with the end result and especially pleased with Richie’s scars and scratches which, I feel, just add that bit of ‘bloodied but unbowed’ appearance and sums up the great mans character.
As you will be aware from the many new additions to our Signature Wall of Fame over the Christmas build up, my list of new figures is quite long but I am finally making a start on the next players in line, starting with Scarlets duo Rhys Priestland and Jonathan Davies. Dan Lydiate will be finished very soon and will be followed by his Dragons team mates Luke Chateris and Toby Faletau. Luke’s Grogg is planned to be the tallest 9” Limited Edition ever made, a record held, I think, by Jonah Lomu at the moment (check that out!) and should be a great figure. He certainly impressed us with his signature – 9 feet from the floor, which he would have been even higher had his hand not been in plaster at the time!
On the soccer front we were delighted to meet Wales and Swansea City defender Ashley Williams, who will make history becoming our first Swansea City Grogg. As we have explained to Ashley this will be a little later in the year but I will do my best to start him ASAP. I also have two more ‘secret projects’ on the go involving two Legends of the modern era but I have promised under pain of TORTURE (“we haven’t really” – Carly), not to reveal anymore until dates, numbers and prices have been fixed. As usual Carly will keep everyone informed via Twitter and Facebook on these exciting developments!
I also can’t wait to get started on Uncle Albert of ‘Only Fools and Horses’ but will have to wait until I’ve completed some of the projects above first!
Well once again the Six Nations are upon us and it looks wide open again this year. Ireland are looking strong and France are an unknown quantity with a new coach but here’s hoping Wales can follow on from the World Cup and get our nerves jangling again. It’s a shame we are picking up injures – best wishes and speedy recoveries to Jamie, Rhys, Gethin and Dan, I’m sure they will play a part this season.
So let’s batten down the hatches and hold on to our seats as the roller coaster ride starts again – have to stop now as I’m feeling rather queasy already!
Cheers for now and fingers crossed (not mine of course!)
Richard.
