The World of Groggs

In 1965, John Hughes (1935-2013) began hand-sculpting and painting figures in a modest garden shed behind his home in Treforest near Pontypridd. His early focus was on creating characters from the Mabinogion, the Old Testament, and animals.

Soon, Hughes, a passionate rugby fan, turned his attention to sculpting caricatures of iconic Welsh sports figures. His first creations were of Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams. These figures, known as "Groggs" after the type of clay originally used, gained popularity alongside the rising fame of Welsh rugby. The appeal of Hughes’ Groggs quickly spread among both rugby fans and players alike.

In 1971, the Hughes family acquired the derelict Dan-y-Graig pub in Treforest, which, after extensive renovations, became the Groggshop gallery and studio - a landmark that still operates today. John’s son, Richard Hughes, later joined the business and expanded the collection to include other famous Welsh figures. A cherished tradition emerged: the first Grogg of each new character would be presented to the celebrity it depicted.

A remarkable selection of Groggs is featured in our March Club House auction, ranging from Welsh dragons to rugby legends like Barry John and Gareth Edwards, and including a unique Grogg of Arthur ‘Monkey’ Gould and JPR Williams.

View The Club House catalogue here.