Looking back on our special year I can’t believe we’ve packed so much into it. It seems a long time ago Wales were recovering from their traditional slow start to the six nations by beating the mighty Irish in Cardiff. They did it with such determination that it turned Wales’ campaign around. Super Saturday was insane and Wales were a little unlucky. I’m sure if all the games had kicked off simultaneously Wales would have won the championship….but what do I know?
From the six nations our concentration turned to our fiftieth anniversary and especially the dinner for which we were creating 10 desirable pieces to auction for our two charities on the night. We had alot of fun in the process and were tempted to keep some of the rare figures ourselves so we knew we’d made the right choices. Carly threw everything she had into the evening and her hard work and faith paid off. Sandra’s special efforts were also much appreciated by our Grogg hungry collectors and the whole evening was a great success. It was great to spend time with our heroes, old friends and loyal collectors all in one room together. Our only regret was it couldn’t have been on a larger scale.. maybe for our 60th! Once again I’d like to thank everyone for turning up and joining in our celebrations. It was a night we will never forget and I know Dad would have loved every minute.
Next came our TV appearance. The shop has been featured on TV many times over the years on news, current affairs and sports programmes and even Blue Peter back in the seventies but we have never had a programme dedicated to the shop alone. “A Groggs Life” eventually aired on the 15th of September and the response was amazing. Don’t get me wrong.. I expected a few extra phone calls but I wasn’t prepared for the amount of positive feedback we had following the ITV show and then the S4c show “Y Groggs Yn 50” a few days later. We saw so many new customers who loved the programme and then couldn’t wait to visit the shop. We were blown away by the response and I’d like to thank Rhodri for his vision and the sympathetic way he dealt with his subject. I must admit I was a little nervous about seeing the end results but was delighted with them both. “A Groggs Life” told our story and “Y Groggs Yn 50” had a little fun with it. Thanks again to Rhodri for his patience…it was a great experience for us all.
Following that of course was Rugby World Cup 2015! World Cups are always tricky things for us because no one can predict what’s going to happen and so it was with RWC 2015. In my mind England, the hosts, had a huge advantage and I honestly couldn’t see them not qualifying – which left Wales with problems from the start…and then the injuries began! What Warren Gatland and his staff achieved with our beleaguered squad was nothing short of a sporting miracle. I guess he may be ultimately disappointed but I think given the circumstances Wales were magnificent. Including all the newcomers Wales dug deep and qualified from the “Group of Death”. And then there was Dan Biggar…what a player.. what a man. If I get chance I owe Dan a Golden Grogg…cometh the hour cometh the Dan I suppose!
If in the end it couldn’t be us then the ‘Other’ Dan and his old buddy Richie and their sublime All Blacks deserve nothing less than going down in history as the only back to back winners of the World Cup. Japan brought the whole tournament to life with their incredible last minute win over the twice world champions South Africa and among the many and varied rugby supporters we saw throughout the tournament the Japanese were the happiest …they deserved to be. I’ve told a lot of Japanese rugby fans I’ll be revisiting their country for the next World Cup in 2019…I hope I get to keep that promise! We also caught up with our old friends Graham and Raewyn Henry who, along with the other AB supporters we saw were a little nervous about the quarter final with France in Cardiff…they needn’t have worried. In the end it was a brilliant tournament and rugby was the winner…I loved every minute.
New 9″ Record Edition Richie McCaw is coming along.
And so to Christmas.. which came early this year hot on the trail of the World Cup. Luckily our canny collectors have learned to start putting their orders in around October to guarantee their Groggs. A wise thing to do because this December we’ve struggled to keep up with demand despite the sterling efforts of our small production team. I hope we haven’t let too many people down. I’m already working on next year’s projects. I have a lot going on in my mind about new figures but those ideas will stay there for the moment …until we see what the Six Nations brings. For now I’m working on three new 9″ pieces.. a new Richie McCaw including inscriptions commemorating his records and achievements, a Mathieu Bastareaud sporting his brand new dreads and of course the hero of Japan, Ayumu Goromaru complete with his unique stance and finger strapping!
Please be aware we are not taking pre-order for Mathieu Bastareaud as yet, once he is available for pre-order we will let you know.
Finally I have kept my promise – I said before the World Cup that if Wales got out of their group I would make our coaching supremo…Warren Gatland. I don’t know why it’s taken so long…2 Grand Slams a 6 Nations Championship and a winning Lions Test Series during his tenure, what was I thinking. Thank you for staying with us Warren, I’m sorry it took so long!
Gatland is now ready to order online here
Congratulations also to Chris Coleman and the Wales football team on their Qualifying for Euro 2016. I wasn’t born when Wales last played in a major tournament and didn’t think it would ever happen again. Messers Bale, Ramsey and Williams and Co. have changed all that keeping the whole of Wales on the edge of their seats. France 2016 here we come!
Once again thank you to all our wonderful collectors who keep us happy in our work, thank you to our painters, casters and grinders who keep the wheels of the Groggshop rolling and thank you to the World of rugby for keeping us inspired and a big thank you to everyone involved with us during our 50th anniversary year, you have helped to make it a truly golden year!!!!
Here’s looking forward to 2016 and time for me to start cooking the Turkey!
Cheers,
Richard
On a sad note we were all shocked to hear of the sudden death of the All Black rugby Legend Jonah Lomu. We knew Jonah had been unwell for some time but it came as huge shock to hear of his passing. I can remember the first time I saw him play and it blew my mind…I just wanted the All Blacks to keep giving him the ball. I first made a Grogg of Jonah during the 1995 World Cup in South Africa which will be remembered for many reasons but for me it was Jonah’s World Cup. He took the rugby World by storm and became a household name almost overnight. Wales were struggling at that time and Jonah was a welcome distraction. He was the perfect subject matter for me and was kind enough to let us know he loved his Grogg when it was presented to him at Ieuan Evan’s Testimonial Match at Stradey Park. That showed to me the other side of Jonah, his kindness and humility at a time when he was quite literally the biggest name in the sporting world. Our love and best wishes go to his family. He will never be forgotten – especially in Wales.
