Christmas 2025
The 28th Annual
Soap on the Rope
THE CHOSEN ONE The Current 'Keeper'
Gary John Morgan
Received Christmas 2024
THE OFFICIAL SOAP ON THE ROPE Declaration
The original ‘Soap on the Rope’, gifted by Diane Mavis Morgan (nee Honeyfield) to Robert William Ridland (husband of Joanne Gae Ridland – nee Morgan) Christmas 1997.
The addition of the ‘Beer Gut Shampoo’ was gifted by Che James Ridland to Robert William Ridland Christmas 1999.
The ‘Soap on the Rope’ and ‘Beer Gut Shampoo’ is to be passed to another direct family member with no gender bias on the following Christmas day at Midday.
The Soap on the Rope must stay in it’s original box and the soap seal must remain unopened.
The keeper of the ‘Soap on the Rope’ and the ‘Beer Gut Shampoo’ is an honoured position and very sought after and responsible to take care of these treasured gifts.
THE OFFICIAL SOAP ON THE ROPE The Constitution
Elders
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The ‘Soap on the Rope’ has two Elders, currently Elder Robert (Robert William Ridland) and Elder Peter (Peter Raymond Morgan). They must be addressed accordingly on Christmas Day.
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When an Elder passes, the role transfers to the next past-recipient in chronological order from the original gifting date.
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If an Elder is absent on Christmas Day, the next past-recipient becomes the Acting Elder.
Governance Members
- Two Governance members are selected by the Elders or carried over from the previous year. Current members: Jade Allan Morgan and Che James Ridland.
- Responsibilities include managing social media, the website, and presenting the ‘Soap on the Rope’ to the Elders by 11:50 am on Christmas Day.
Keeper Eligibility
- A ‘Soap on the Rope Keeper’ must be at least 12 years old by Christmas Day of the current year.
Residency
- The ‘Soap on the Rope’ resides with the longest-surviving Elder, currently at 18 Dartmoor Ave with Elder Robert.
Announcement
- The ‘Soap on the Rope’ announcement must occur at 12:00 pm NZDT on Christmas Day. If missed, it can be made by 3:00 pm NZDT. Failure to meet these deadlines transfers keeper status to the previous year’s surviving Keeper.
Rules for Gifting and Care
- The ‘Soap on the Rope’ cannot be gifted to oneself.
- Wilful damage, loss, or destruction incurs a $500 fine, payable before the next Christmas day to the reining elders.
- In case of destruction or loss due to natural disasters, a commiseration ceremony must be held at the original gifting site (if still owned by family) or a location chosen by the Elders.
Final Authority
- Elders have the final say on all matters and handle correspondence and disputes, which must be submitted in writing.
Declared final by Elder Robert and Elder Peter on Christmas Day, 25th Anniversary, 2022.
