Commonwealth Open,British & English Champions

Tobi Ishi Competition

News from the recent Tobi Ishi competition is now on the relevant page.

Kumite Course

Alan will be running another kumite course at the Bristol Dojo on Sunday February 7th, start time 10.00 through until about 11.30. Contact Alan for more information on this course. We will also be trying to seta date for a referee course and will inform everyone as soon as a suitable time has been found.

Open Kata Course

February 21st at Gordano school we will again be holding an open kata training session. Times will be 14.00 - 16.00. This event is aimed at helping students get ready for their next grade. Please contact Kevin, Nigel or Vito for more details, all are welcome but please also make sure your instructor is aware and agrees for you to attend.

Brightlingsea Charity Event

Sue will be sending a full report but there are lots of fun pictures of the nights events for you all to see.

Click Her for Photo's

Next Kata Course Date Set

Sunday 31st January 14.00 - 16.00 at the Bristol Dojo. These courses are free and open to anyone who would like to progress to the WKU kata squad, your instructor's approval is a must.

Check out the course page for Kata report

A report and pictures is now being published on the course page.

WKU Kyu Grade Competition

Another great event for all of the WKU to be proud of. Our thanks to all of our friends who attended to help make this event so successful yet again. A full report will be added to the competition page in due course.

Ritchie Noblett

News has arrived of another great loss to karate, Shihan Ritchie Noblett 8th Dan founder of the Welsh Bushi Kai karate association. Ritchie will be sadly missed by many but also remembered fondly, for once I do not know how to word what I would like to say but perhaps if you visit the Welsh Bushi Kai site you will understand why Ritchie was so well respected and liked.

November Dan Grading

Check out our Dan grading page for the latest news.

Children in Need Brightlingsea Event

Brightlingsea Karate Club – Sponsored Katathon in aid of BBC Children In Need

On Wednesday 18th November 2009 the instructors and students of Brightlingsea Karate Club dressed up in Fancy Dress and took part it an “sponsored katathon” in aid of Children In Need.  From 6.30 pm until 8 pm they collectively completed 293 kata's!

We have so far raised over £300 in sponsorships and donations.

Thank you also to Brightlingsea Infants School for letting us have the hall for free on the evening!

Many thanks to those who took part;  Gregg “Greglina” Weaver (1st Kyu), Andy “Jinja the Ninja” Booth (2nd Kyu), Kate “Nurse” Ladbrook (3rd Kyu), Daniel “Tudor” Guthrie (3rd Kyu), Thomas “Santa” Fitzjohn (4th Kyu), William “Pirate“ Fitzjohn (4th Kyu), Thomas “Pimp” Woodhouse (5th Kyu), Mille “Superwoman” Poynter (5th Kyu), Dominic “Sleepy” Simpson (5th Kyu), Debbie “Sleepy” Barton (6th Kyu), Kyle “Skeleton Pirate” Morris (7th Kyu), Nathan “Rugby Boy” Taylor (7th Kyu), Jesse “Footie” Crittenden (7th Kyu),  Harry “PE” Wills (8th Kyu), Leanne “PJ girl” Hazleton (8th Kyu), Mae “Dracula” Collins (8th Kyu) and many thanks to instructors Dean “The Mummy” Moyes (3rd Dan) & Russell “Superman” Hawkes (3rd Dan) for taking part and their assistance.

Also thanks to family and friends who came to watch, Mrs Weaver and Laura Weaver who manned the door and took photographs and especially to Gregg Weaver for his help in organising.

It was a brilliant warm up for me, who had luckily won tickets to go and see the show at BBC Television Centre in London, armed with cheque for £8496 from my company (Care UK) from all our fundraising.  I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Sir Terry Wogan and to dance with the real Pudsey Bear!

Sue “Pudsey Bear / Little Miss Sunshine / Mr Bump” Fairs
5th Dan
Chief Instructor
Brightlingsea Karate Club

Prostate Cancer

Steve Ahearne from our Jersey club has decided to add extra hair to his upper lip in aid of a very good cause, prostate cancer. This cancer is a very very large concern for men, one dying every hour from the decease. Steve will be having a month away from his razor in a charity push to raise funds, if you can support in any small way please follow this link.

Donations Here

Jersey Wado Ryu 2009

A report from the recent Jersey course is now on the "course" page, Hundreds of photographs now available, take your time and run through them.

Colchester Kata Course

Les Birkin and other senior grades will be running a kata course at Colchester Leisure World on Saturday 14th November from 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm (£5 per student). Any queries please call Les on 01206 322062.

Welsh Open

First news back from the Welsh open could be the start to a great day for WKU, Chelsie Ware has progressed to her highest level yet winning the kata event. Chelsie had very strong opposition, during her rounds she beat the Welsh Champion and also beat the English, British and Commonwealth champion. Well done Chelsie and good luck to the rest of our squad who have yet to compete.More News:- Paul James has just won silver in his kata category, losing in the final to the Welsh champion. Add a team gold in kumite, we are doing well.
A Full report is now on the competition page.

British 2009

Results just coming in from Edinburgh show that WKU have again been very successful at this event. Bronze medals for Paul James, Sarah Clark, Shaun Langson, Torsha, Darren Haynes, this was followed with three silver medals for Rory Daniels, one in his weight category, one in the open weight and one as a member in the team event. I shall file a full report when the coaches get back and have a chance to let me know all of the details.

Open Kata Course

Clevedon and Portishead clubs are holding another open kata course on the 27th September at Clevedon Community School Sports Hall, times are from 14.00 - 16.00. Gordano was unavailable but again the location of this hall is not to hard to find. At the last course we had over 64 students training and many instructors giving their time to help. The format as before will be working through Pinan kata and of course some various senior kata for those who are ready for it. Contact Kevin on 01275 877811 for more details and directions please.

East Coast Course Sept 5th & 6th

Les Birkin is putting on another training weekend over the weekend of 5th & 6th September, please click on the link to download the forms.

Weekend Course

Summer Course & Grading

Pictures and a report already on the course page.

WKU Squad Training

Latest squad training news on the calendar page.

Central England Competition

Check out the competition page to read a report on this event and a link to some photographs.

Esporta Grading

Check out the course page for a small report and picture links to the July grading at our Esporta club.

Shinwa Expands

Wesley Streete has expanded his training sessions and will be taking classes in the following locations, Mondays Yate Parish Hall, Tuesdays Bath Percy Community Centre, Wednesday Yate Leisure Centre, Thursday Bradley Stoke Community School, Sundays Wickwar Village Hall. Contact Wesley via the clubs page for further details.

Mats for Sale

Vito Cataldo of our Portishead club has a set of jigsaw mats for sale. Details for Vito are on our clubs page.

Pre-Dan Grading Courses

Look to the course page for a report on the courses being ran by our Chairman Dave Wheatley 7th Dan.

Kumite Training

A kumite training session is to be held at the Bristol Dojo on Sunday 26th July, it will be juniors from 10.00 - 11.30 and seniors to follow at 12.00 - 16.00. Juniors are 8 years+ seniors 16+. The course is free of charge but you must have your club instructors permission to attend.

Kata Course

June 14th a kata course was held at Gordano school, check out the course page for report and pictures.

Zagreb

A referee's report by the England Chief Referee Terry Pottage is posted on the competition page.

Saxmundham Course

Another year has gone and we have the Saxmundham course on the news again, download the information here.

WKU nationals*** Pictures now added***

Well what can we say? Over 32 clubs entered, no significant injuries due to the large contingent of English/British and European officials taking great control of the areas. With over 400 individual entries, we ran over by 30 minutes, not a great sin after some of the fiasco's many of us have attended. Perhaps the EKF could learn a thing or two, look after officials, they look after your events, the right people win, there are less problems and you have happy coaches, happy competitors and a very successful day. Many thanks to those clubs who supported us, we have asked for years to run a regional but it always falls on deaf ears. The West of England has a lot to offer, your support has proven this and it goes from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing the clubs, and the officials at our next event. I shall write a full report on the competition page and add a link to any photo's that are sent through.

Latest News

Scottish Open

Latest news, Paul James of Broadwell Karate Club takes a silver in kumite.

Guess Who Has His Bus Pass?

Catch up on our competition page for the latest from the English Nationals held at Sheffield recently, again WKU take the top prizes.

Lots of new dates to check out on the calendar page, there are new kata courses in Colchester and the annual weekend camping date has been set.

East Coast Madness

Russell Hawkes 2nd Dan, Jim Smith 2nd Dan and Darren Graham 1st Dan after competing in a "Tough Guy" challenge. I hope they were made to wash their own clothes after! A full report will be posted as soon as they get the mud off of themselves.

More pictures going on the link from the last Dan grading, also course pictures from Colchester and the recent Dutch open.

Christmas Madness

I don't know what is in the water at Brightlingsea!

I have asked for a report on what was a very successful ladies kumite course held recently at the Bristol Dojo, there is also a raft of pictures sent to me by Steve Carpenter from the Downend & Mangotsfield club, follow the link to view them. As Steve has done please forward pictures that you wish to have posted on the web.

Look under the competition page and see how hard our referee's have to work to achieve their European status!

WKU Course

Due to the inclement weather the course on the 8th February has had to be cancelled.

Dan Grading

At our recent Dan grading Hannah Carpenter from Downend & Mangotsfield Karate Club attained her Shodan grade, Stephen Carpenter her instructor gained his Nidan along with Martyn Holman (Brightlingsea), Jason Burgess (Brightlingsea)and Stephen LeFevre (Clevedon), Dean Moyes (Colchester) gained his Sandan. Pictures are now on the site, everyone is a few months older but I have at last sorted them out.

Click here for pictures

Sorry for the delay in updating the site, I have been having withdrawal symptoms without my PC. There are many things to now add, I shall endeavor to catch up ASAP.

Letter from Andy Gunton

W.K.U. Another year, still growing & learning

Welcome to all new members and instructors, you have made a wise choice in joining the WKU; no doubt you have given it a lot of thought as to what is best for you and your students.

Problems this year have been controlled and any restrictions imposed have been adhered to and acknowledged.

Two clubs have been formed from the demise of Bristol Karate Shotokan; both are now settling nicely and are moving unrestrictedly in the direction they have chosen. Situations have arisen beyond anyone’s control, dealing with these quickly and efficiently are what counts.

Competition wise the results speak for themselves, the kumite squad is a unit, both juniors and seniors have bonded, there are no individual stars, they are a team. In saying this, the obvious cannot also be ignored; Paul James who was told by his previous instructor that he would never make a fighter, now he is Commonwealth Open Champion. Shaun Langson, team gold, Torsha gold, Sarah Clark gold, David McLeod and Andrew Kelliher still winning English and British titles and places in their respective categories. The World Championships saw Sarah Clark, Darren Haynes and Rory Daniels all from what is relatively a small association not governed by the need for money, representing their country, these people had been on top form for a long time, again with help from their fellow squad members. I thank you and the WKU thanks you as to stay at that level requires a lot of dedication.

The kata squad, referee’s and judges along with the table officials have all moved forward with new levels being attained, though as with all sections of the WKU, more people are required to come forward and become table officials and judges, please do not forget, without replenishment to all sections, it stops and dies.

Many thanks to Les, his fellow instructors and their students for keeping the WKU flag flying in their part of the country, the same thanks go to the Jersey WKU club. Special thanks to the executive members who attend meetings on a regular basis, make decisions and then stand by them, all in the interest of the WKU. Certain people stand out from the crowd for many years of hard work, certainly not all in the dojo. Ivor Thomas on attaining his European Referee qualification, Dave Wheatley, Alan Flook, Wendy and Kevin along with Maxine Baker our CPO.

Another year lies in wait, who knows what direction it is going to take but the WKU will do it’s upmost to remain an association that can adapt to change because issues will always arise at club and association levels.

If I have forgotten to mention anyone or any event, there have been so many, then I apologise. “Don’t talk about me, talk to me!”

Andy Gunton
6th Dan

Jersey 2008

There is now a report about our course in Jersey on the "course" page, this the retirement bash of their chief instructor Liam Ahearne. Many hundreds of pictures have been taken and I will endeavour to edit and post them as they arrive. On a personal note Ann and myself thank Liam and Joan for the fifteen years we have known each other and look forward to them visiting us in Clevedon and our trips over the water to test the local Guinness out.

PTKA Competition

Check out our competition page for the results of our newest clubs competition.

British Championships

Lots of medals again for the WKU, a report will be on the competition page as soon as it arrives.

Latest updates on Course Page

For our latest news have a look at the course page, where there is an update of the recent Mercia weekend and Portishead's grading news.

New Members in Portishead

The WKU welcomes a new club in Portishead, Vito Cataldo has trained with many of us over the last 25 years. P.T.K.A. Train at the Methodist Church Hall in the High Street, contact numbers will be posted on the clubs page.

Squad Training

Check out the latest news on the courses page for the results of the last squad session and future training events.

A Blast From The Past

On a recent referee course we managed to get Julian into a Gi, the picture had to be taken as proof of evidence.

60th Birthday Arrives

All at the WKU wish Les Birkin a very happy 60th, time for the bus pass and free prescriptions, I await a report but here is a picture of him receiving a present from his clubs.

Mersea Training Course

There is a weekend training and grading course being held at Waldegrave Holiday Camp on the 30th & 31st August. Click on the link for details.

Summer Course & Dan Grading

I shall write a full report on the course page but as the weekend draws to an end there are many happy but aching students going home across the country. Thanks to all for their support over the weekend, the weather Gods were kind to us on Saturday.

Selections for World Championships in Tokyo

The hot news today is that at the selections in Bisham Abbey Sarah Clark was selected to represent England in the -53kg division at the world championships in Tokyo later this year. Sarah will also be a member of the ladies team. Rory Daniels proved yet again what a valuable member of the squad he is, he has been selected for the men's open weight and also the team. Darren Haynes has made a well deserved return to the national squad with his selection to the team. Three WKU members going to Japan to represent England must be classed as a great success story and bears Testament to the standard that is prevalent within the association, I just hope Rory or Darren has a kit bag big enough to fit me in! Paul James and Shaun Langson also acquitted themselves very well, both having won a fight, drawn another and lost the last one. Great news for all of the squad and for our own WKU coaches.

Front Page News

Latest Competition news

See our competition pages for the latest news from Birmingham.

European Promotion

Congratulations to Ivor Thomas on his promotion to "A" class judge at the recent Europeans, Ivor was the only English promotion in the group attempting kumite advancement.

Take note selectors, the WKU are clearing up in Edinburgh, a full report is on our competition page, there is also a link to many photographs but please keep sending in more to me.

Jersey April visit

The Jersey club invited Kevin & Ann Barrett over for a week to run a couple of training sessions, a report on these is on the "course" page.

April Fundraising

Sunday 20th April was the date set for our kyu grade fund raising event, look to our competition page for a full report on the event.
Further to the fundraising we have had a very generous donation from Samba Consulting an "IT" company, Mr Simon Bunker a student at the Clevedon club has donated a large amount towards the expenses for Edinburgh, this along with donations from Bristol Builders and Hudson Engineering of Nailsea has put us a long way towards our target. Many thanks to all of these companies for their support, I shall see if they have web sites and add links from our site.

English Nationals

Good results from the first EKF nationals, a full reports on the competition page to follow, and another English qualified referee for the WKU.

Bristol Summer Course

The date is set, July 5th at The Old Reds as always, the summer sun will be with us, it has been arranged. Cost for this course are £5.00 for juniors and £10.00 for seniors, very good value. Don't forget to bring food and lots of cold drink to help keep you going.

Bristol Builders Supplies

We are grateful to Bristol Builder Supplies for their very generous donation to help in sending our squad to the Commonwealth games. Bristol Builders are situated at Unit 3, Barton Hill Trading Estate, Herapath Street, Bristol, BS5 9RD, if you need supplies, make sure you check them out as your first port of call.

Competition Results

Look into our competition page for the latest results of the competition held at Brierly Hill on the 24th February, great results for our WKU members.

Fundraising Event

Many of you will not know but this years Commonwealth Games being held in Edinburgh are now open to associations. The WKU have always had a very strong kumite squad and also a few coming through on the kata squad. It is hoped to send a squad to the games and although they are all willing to self fund for the event, we as an association would like to try to raise some funds to help with the expenses. To this end we are going to have a small Kyu grade competition for our clubs at the Bristol dojo on the 20th April. At this moment it is felt it will be a junior event for under 16 year olds. If anyone out there has any bright ideas on gaining some sponsorship, please let us know, maybe your company would like to buy the medals for the competition or sponsor in any other way!

WKU Course at Emersons Green

Check out our "Courses" page for the latest event held at Emersons Green, lots of pictures from the day also.

Esporta club

Here are a couple of pictures of our club who train at the Esporta Health club in Bradley Stoke, near Bristol.

Our first session runs from 10.00 - 11.00 on Saturday mornings, it was a culture shock having to be there at 09.00 so we managed to start an hour later, thus students and instructors are sometimes a little more awake.

The second session 11.00 - 12.00 is for our younger and lower grade members, break them in gently, though I am ready for a strong cup of tea afterwards! The support is good and we are steadily growing in numbers.

Jersey Course 2nd Oct - 6th Oct

Liam's retirement course is nearly on us, he will be leaving the island to go back to Ireland, lets make this a course to remember!

Christmas at Brightlingsea

Happy faces looking forward to the big day, maybe a few looking forward to a week or two of rest!

Dan Grading November 18th

The Christmas Dan grading was held at the Bristol dojo recently. To start the session there was an hour long warm up, this was open to all brown belts and above and was well attended. During the training period instructors were changed around, thus giving each group a chance to learn different ideas from across the country. Fifteen students were up for the grading of whom eight were to later pass.
Promoted to Sandan & Shodan,

I have asked for pictures to be forwarded, as soon as I receive some I shall make a link for them to be displayed.

See our course page for a kata course and officials course held recently at the Clevedon dojo.

England Call Up

Sarah Clark has been selected to join the england squad who are off to Istanbul, Turkey for the Junior World Championships. Sarah will be fighting in both the team and individual events. As the new governing body has only just been formed, there is no money in the kitty, Sarah has to "self fund" for this event, the WKU are helping and so are a few clubs in the area, if you or your club can also help please contact Wendy White our secretary, any donation will be gratefully received as she has to pay air fare, hotel and even the competition entrance fee herself.

Jersey Course

A report has been written, just confirming everything and having my grammar checked! I have about 300 pictures to edit, some will be up very shortly. Many thanks to all those people on the island who gave their time to make this yet another very successful weekend. A full report and the link to the photographs will be found on the "Course" page.

Mersea Course

Latest news coming from the Mersea course held on 02/09/07, a full report will be posted soon, it might also explain some of the strange going's on in that part of the country!

Summer Dan Grading 2007

It seems I have slipped up here, a report was put out and lots of pictures of the course but nothing of the grading, anyone out there with pictures please send them in to me, I shall get onto a report ASAP.

WKU Beach Fun Day Sunday 5th August 2007

*** More pictures added 16/08/07***

We had lots of Sun and Fun down on the Beach in Weston-super-Mare.

The rain storms throughout July and August obviously had people doubting that this event would go ahead, but it did, and it was a great day.  No rain, just sunshine.

There were over 50 students training with over 100 for the barbecue, well down on previous years, probably because of the fear of bad weather, but nonetheless a good crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. 

Clubs supporting the event were Bristol, Oldmixon & Uphill, Clevedon, Broadwell, Nintai Ronin and Patchway. 

For the training the instructors were Alan, Dave, Andy, Ivor and Nigel, who between them put the students through their paces followed by various kumite and self-defence techniques.

For the barbecue the burger chefs were Gary for the carnivores and Darren for the vegetarians (and he even managed to rope his Mum in!).  They all did a wonderful job throughout, although the burgers ran out at one stage but a quick dash to the local supermarket put us back on track once more and everyone was fed to the usual good standard without waiting around too long.  

Jackie, Laura and Kam organised the catering marquee ably assisted by Sarah, Scarlett and James.  The side salads and pasta/rice dishes proved very popular with the tuna pasta, potato salad, curried rice and vegetable pasta bowls all being polished off well before the end, and it doesn't matter how many cherry tomatoes I buy they all vanish in minutes.

After the barbecue was over Martin and Mark organised a game of family friendly rounder's for anyone who had a little energy left.  They were enjoying themselves so much they refused to stop for the raffle!  The photo's tell the rest. 

Our official photographer Jill was there to take some snaps for the website and our raffle queen Sarah with assistants James and Sam did the usual good job by hassling everyone out of the contents of their purses and wallets!. 

Thanks to the usual crew for turning up early and staying all day until the last box had been packed away.  You work so hard and I am so very grateful.

Another great day.

Wendy

Referee Course & Squad Training

Sunday 22nd July saw us at the Bristol Dojo again, we started the day with a referee and table official course, a few new faces were made welcome. Shane Balmer 5th Dan and chairman of the Rokakai Karate Association paid a visit with Brian Holland 3rd Dan the team coach and some young members. Alan and Andy gave a training session which was followed by a small competition, this was well supported, I think all clubs took home a medal or two.