116 GROGS enjoyed one of the most entertaining Xmas Lunches for years. All the usual contributors were present - Bill Gardiner and his keyboard leading some raucous community carol singing; Christmas crackers; a bountiful supply of wine; complimentary miniature bottles of Famous Grouse; Myra Kerr’s famous mince pies; excellent Christmas purvey; 2 Chairmen; much jollity and a most entertaining Guest Speaker ….. plus a rendering of ‘Happy Birthday’ to celebrate one GROG’s coming of age (70). What more could a gathering of rugby revelers ask for? Gordon Wilson got the proceedings of to a fine start with his usual brand of humour and succinct put- downs. After the traditional Xmas fare, the 2nd. Chairman, Allan McTaggart kept the humour flowing before introducing the guest speaker, Nigel Brown, a fellow retired vet and rugby enthusiast and a Northern Irishman to boot. Nigel’s main claim to fame is that he is the father of Kelly Brown, the 6ft. 4in. Scottish international flanker and former captain. His opening comments challenged the sensitivity of the GROGS Committee’s most delicate member as well as the girth of the Committee Chairman but he soon moved on to a delivery that was a mixture of nostalgia, stand-up comedian, and a passionate take on modern day rugby. Talking about his son, Kelly, whose rugby talents, he modestly suggested, had been inherited from himself, along with a stammer, a debility both father and son are able to laugh at. For example, Nigel quoted an edict from high to international referees to toss the game coin higher so that Kelly could have a longer opportunity to make a call. On a serious note, he regretted that Scotland’s back row “Killer Bs” had not been allowed to fulfil their potential but felt that Kelly’s rugby career at Saracens (and perhaps at international level) were certainly not over and offered a glimmer of hope to a partisan audience that, one day, he might return to Glasgow the scene of a very happy part of his career. In appreciation of his company and a fantastic speech, Kelly received the highest award GROGS can offer - a bottle of the special whisky and a GROGS tie!