Following a long line of successful GROGs Xmas Lunches the 2014 Lunch didn’t let the side down and was deemed a winner by the 108 Members who braved some very inclement weather to contribute to a most enjoyable afternoon. In a way, 108 was a disappointing number as 125 had intimated their intention to be there! The occasion was saddened briefly with the announcement of the deaths of 2 stalwart GROGs – Frank Hannan and Angus McLeod, but brightened by the temporary appearance of a caricature of Founder Member Glen Stirling and a very witty after lunch presentation by guest speaker, Iain Rarity. However, before enjoying Iain’s clever delivery, there were the usual Xmas add-ons - a raffle (the quality of which would have solved the Christmas gift dilemma for several winners), some excellent ‘Sing-a-Long-a-Grog” community singing to the keyboard accompaniment of musical maestro Bill Gardiner, Christmas crackers, free wine flowing like a river, a first class Xmas Lunch (soup and turkey with ALL the trimmings) and, of course, Mrs. Myra Kerr’s magnificent mince pies! With such a hard act to follow, guest speaker, Iain Rarity, knew he had a challenge on his hands but confidently rose manfully to the occasion. With only a few not so sotto voce interruptions by Jimmy Sim, Iain was introduced by Chairman, Brian Rigby, as a bona fide “rarity” in GROGs terms in that he was not the typical speaker for one of these lunches, who was steeped in rugby, but, instead, was more of a sailor and raconteur. With that, Iain rose to the occasion and entertained the gathering with a succession of jokes, quips, stories of adventures on the high seas and even included a fine literary comparison between 2 famous poets - England’s William Shakespeare and Scotland’s William McGonagall! See GROGs? See education? Iain was rewarded for his festive entertainment with well-deserved prolonged applause and a bottle of the Famous GROGS Whisky!
