Groggs join The Club House

The World of Groggs company was established in 1965 by artist John Hughes (1935-2013), The Grogg Shop in Pontypridd is still producing through John's son Richard. But it is the John Hughes caricatures that usually command the highest prices at auction.

John Hughes started with ceramics as early as 1965 with a kiln in his garden shed in the family home in Treforest. But it was not till 1967 that his rugby figures were born. In 1971 the family purchased the derelict Dan-y-Graig pub in Treforest near Pontypridd and opened the Groggshop as it was then called. The figures are called Groggs after the type of clay that was originally used to make them. John Hughes portrayed rugby royalty and celebrities from around the world including George Best, Lions and Wales scrum-half Gareth Edwards and former First Minister Rhodri Morgan. It was a tradition for the first Grogg caricature to be presented to the celebrity.

he figures are called Groggs after the type of clay that was originally used to make them. John Hughes portrayed rugby royalty and celebrities from around the world including George Best, Lions and Wales scrum-half Gareth Edwards and former First Minister Rhodri Morgan. It was a tradition for the first Grogg caricature to be presented to the celebrity.

An amazing array of Groggs have been entered for The Club House auction in May, most by the hand of John Hughes. Figures include Sir Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Mervyn Davies, Bill Beaumont, the legendary 'Pontypool Front Row' Neil Jenkins and many more