Oscar 4th Kyu

Congratulations go to Oscar on achieving his 4th Kyu, Orange belt.

This was well deserved and after looking at his membership book, well overdue.

Since starting Oscar has regularly attended the class, and continues to learn as I introduce new techniques.

Well done.

My thanks also go to Hanna and Pete for assisting as ukes

ps. I will add a picture once I get it

BKAA photos

Hopefully this should've worked! Fingers crossed, here's the link:

Betsy's photos

Thanks Betsy, it worked and your photos have been made available through the BKAA Blog also.
Thanks for you and Oscar attending yesterday

2nd Kyu for Hanna and Pete

An early start on Saturday to travel to Bournemouth dojo gave Hanna and Pete the opportunity to demonstrate their achievements in Aikido.


I was very pleased with both your performances and you both demonstrated that when the pressure is on you remained calm and continued with the techniques.


I'm sure I bounced a few times on the Bournemouth luxury mats...


Both Hanna and Pete were assessed by Jim O'Dwyer and passed their 2nd Kyu, Blue belts, which they are now proudly wearing.


Well done to you both, I will dig out the next round, although we will concentrate on more lateral aspects of our Aikido practice now.

Friday Evenings

I have decided that Friday evening 18:30-20:30 will continue for the foreseeable future, as although at the end of the week all are tired and raring for the weekend. At least it is not cutting into the weekend and Saturday morning.


Hopefully as people get accustomed to the time then we will see a return to the class numbers.


Next Saturday is our trip to Bournemouth dojo, early start, as their class starts at 09:30, although be good to practice with Jim and his dojo again.

Where is this year going already?

We are now rapidly approaching the May Bank Holiday and I am pleased that our karate members are meeting the Japanese Masters for a weekend of cultural integration, my youngest son will be there to menace you all. Enjoy, as I'm sure you all will.


As you are aware I have moved the session to Friday evenings, 18:30-20:30, which seems to be going well, although please try not to shock the oldies playing badminton too much. You maybe there someday...


I will probably continue with this as people seem to get to the session without too much trouble.
I think planning my work diary better would assist in ensuring I'm back on time, but it'll get sorted.


Just a couple of dates to note:

• Friday 7th May, still on the badminton court, as I'm again sailing at the weekend.
• Saturday 22nd May - Bournemouth weekend to look at Blue belt syllabus :o)

First weekend of October is going to be the BKAA Seminar, this time it will be in Swindon, so closer to the time I may arrange a bus for the Saturday.

Some dates coming up

Just to let all know, although I will also remind by email and text.


Due to this weekend being Easter there is no class this Saturday.


Also the following week we commence the Friday evening classes 6:30-8:30pm.


Hopefully that will give everyone enough time to get home, including myself.


Further dates to think about are:


22nd May will be a road trip to Bournemouth for  a grading and some social time with Jim and his lot...


Enjoy your weekend off and see you soon.

Congratulations to Betsy and Tony

As a matter of progression I am pleased to announce the grading of Betsy and Tony to 5th Kyu, Yellow belt.


After concentrating on the syllabus for the weeks since the New Year and to stop any nerves and apprehension, after two hours of practice, they were both thrown in at the deep end of be assessed. 


Both passed the assessment yesterday to begin their path in Aikido.


Well done and thanks for the other dojo members for assisting as Ukes and filming.

New Year, New Venue

Welcome to the New Year, New Decade and all that. I hope you are all rested over the festive period and are now raring to go again on the mats in 2010.

This week we begin our sessions in the Squash Courts, so turn right to the other hall this time. Times are the same as usual, 10:30-12:30, and I will see whether the amount of mats need to be adjusted. This depends on the  number of people attending, although I may adjust format of mat layout to give space between. This is something you will have to bear with, and with a bit of trial and error we will get the format that suits.

See you all this coming Saturday morning, 9th January 2010.