Sensei Ed Starks, Sandan, Chief Instructor at Bristol Shotokan Karate Club passed away towards the end of 2013. Ed trained hard and taught hard, the old way. He inspired me to push myself and give my all when training.
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| Sensei Ed Starks - 3rd Dan |
When I train with my current Sensei I am often reminded of the drills that Ed used to put us through ... something that's been lacking in some the dojos that I've trained with since moving back to the East Midlands. Ed fought hard against long term battle with cancer. His passing leaves a gap in the Karate world ... I hope that his Spirit is at peace now.
There were tremendous problems with being able to grade some of my students when I started my dojo up. When you consider that there were only five students eligible to grade last year, it was a little off putting to be told, 'There's no room for your students to grade with us', by the other two KUGB dojos in Nottingham - without even finding out how many students wanted to grade. I remember when we used to grade with Sensei Ohta in Plymouth. Every Karateka that turned up from Devon and Cornwall was graded.
Sensei Simon Oliver and Sensei Terry O'Neill stepped in to help us and facilitated our grading. Sensei Bob Rhodes also offered to help. I will be forever grateful for their help and guidance. I miss the presence of Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta.
I started training with Sensei Oliver last year and it felt like I had gone back to real Karate, real values. No politics were at play - you're assessed purely on the effort that you put into your Karate ... just like the old days at Bristol and, before that, Newquay. After the year of politics in the KUGB, it's been a welcome change.
Sensei Oliver has since accepted me as an under-study. I run Meiyo Karate Club as one of his Assistant Instructors.
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| Sensei Simon Oliver - 6th Dan |
Meiyo Shotokan Karate Club has changed it's name and affiliation as of 2014. We are now Meiyo Karate Club ... and we are affiliated to the JKR-UK under Sensei Simon Oliver. We now only train on Sunday mornings, owing to my other commitments, but our students have the flexible option of training at Sensei Oliver's dojo too to qualify for their gradings. It's simplified matters. Meiyo Karate club still doesn't charge any club membership fee, our gradings are £18 per person and includes a training course, the grading fee, certificate and obi ... and our examiner is on our doorstep.
Sensei Oliver has kindly provided insurance cover for all existing club members until October 2014. So if you have a valid KUGB (or other) licence - you're covered for the JKR-UK member-to-member insurance. You'll have to apply for a JKR-UK licence in October which will run from December to December. If you wish to continue training or start training with this dojo, I need to provide Sensei with a list of your names ASAP - make sure I have your full details and licence number.
The JKR-UK licence fee is currently £32 (including a record book) and £27 per year for renewals. All existing ex KUGB club members will only have to pay £27 for their new record book.
The Sunday sessions run in the following way:
09:45 - 10:30 Beginners and white belts
10:30 - 11:30 All grades
11:30 - 12:00 Remedial session
The dojo address is:
Bestwood Estate Community Centre
Gainsford Crescent
Bestwood Estate
Nottingham
NG5 5HT (Correct postcode for Sat Navs - Look for black railings as you crest the hill. There is a car park behind the building).
Click the links for our Dojo Website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
Fees:
Kids £2.50
Adults £4.00
Concessions £3.50
Family rate - minimum three family members training together - youngest trains free (These fees only apply to Meiyo KC).
For more information about the JKR-UK and their other training times and venues - please click here.
If you'd like any more information, use one of the links above and get in touch.
Regards
Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu
Assistant Instructor, Shodan.
Meiyo Karate Club
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