GREGGS GETS ITS OWN FAN CLUB
I T’S crumbly pastry goodies and baked sweet treats have long been revered.
In fact, for many it is a national treasure of a food outlet.
Now Britain’s best-loved bakery finally has its own fan club – and it’s based in Wales.
Meet the men who make up The Greggs Appreciation Group.
The unofficial organisation was born from humble beginnings – in the back of a car, by a bus driver.
A group of friends were on their way to the stag party of Alud Spiller, 41.
While in the car they realised they all shared a common bond that transcended friendship.
“It came about on my stag do that toward the end of May,” said bus driver Alud.
“It all started when there was a song on the radio. It was I Love Rock and Roll. We all started singing along but saying ‘I love sausage roll’.
“That got us talking about how much we loved Greggs bakery and especially the sausage roll.”
Now, a month later, Alud is more than happily married – he is also the general secretary of the Greggs Appreciation Group.
“At the last count we had 13 members, as of yesterday,” he said.
“We had a guy apply to join yesterday.
“Aberdare is the main hub but we have some members from Porth too.
“You should see our WhatsApp message group.”
Desperate to spread the gospel of Greggs, the group have created a number of formal positions.
There is a chairman, vice-chairman and treasurer as well as head of IT and events.
As you would expect, the thing on everyone’s lips (apart from steak bake crumbs) is how you can join such a prestigious institution.
“We are happy to offer honorary membership to anyone who submits an entry into our sausage roll eating challenge.” said Alud.
The Sausage Roll Challenge is the first big initiative from the group.
They are calling on people across the world to send videos of themselves eating sausage rolls to try to beat the current record set by event coordinator Lee Phillips (known as Butch).
He holds the 24.93 seconds. current record of
“I am not happy with my current time,” said Alud. “I will have another go.
“We will offer honorary member- ship to anyone who sends a video on social media. We have already tweeted Paddy McGuinness and Peter Kay offering them membership.
“We think the sausage roll challenge can be as big as the ice bucket challenge.”
According to Alud, there has been a mixed response from the wives and girlfriends of group members.
“My wife finds it hilarious though some of the wives didn’t.
“To start with they were like ‘shut up’ but now we have social media accounts they are all behind it.”
A statement released by the group’s head of communications Craig Massam stated the group could have a global reach.
It read: “Our intention is to bring people together.
“With all the very sad issues around the globe at the moment we believe our challenge would create a little joy.”