Latest News
Donations

Our thanks to those many members of the clevedon club who gave donations to the WKU fund for those attending the Commonwealth Games "elite"competition in Edinburgh. Donations from just our club have amounted to just under £1,000.00 a fantastic achievement. Simon Bunker a member of our club donated a very large cheque on behalf of his company Samba Consulting, so if you need any IT work done, he is the man to get in touch with. Hudson Engineering of Nailsea have also been very supportive, our thanks to one and all, no matter how large or small, all donations make a difference.


Simon Bunker MD of Samba Consulting

Kyu Grade Competition @ Bristol

A full report for Clevedon and Esporta clubs is available on our competition pages.
Jersey Course

October 2nd-6th is the last course where Liam will still be on the island, he is due to retire back across the water to Ireland. Calling all of those who have tasted the hospitality of the Jersey club and who will also know the work and effort Liam has always made to make our trips so enjoyable, let us return the compliment and show up in force for this course. Many of our members have met Liam and his wife Joan when they have visited, coming on this course would also be a good chance to meet Ryan and Steve, they will be running the club after Liam leaves Jersey and I know they will keep up his legacy of fun, madness with a little training to go along with! Contact Kevin for details of flights and accommodation.

Clevedon Party Night

And what a night it was? Members and families from the clevedon club took over the upstairs of the Triangle Club, a great venue for any party. Nigel, Pauline and myself were up there in the day setting up the tables and adding the helium filled balloons for that extra touch. The disco arrived from Nailsea, this another good choice for the night, we were on our way to party time.

Families started to arrive about 19.30, the tables set aside for food were soon full as always, this year thanks to the new venue we had plenty of room to cope. Steve the Disco man was in charge, he did magical tricks involving the children and parents, party games followed giving a fun start to the evening. A short break for the food was followed by the raffle and presentations, topping the presentations was the awards for students of the year. First to be called to the stage was Tom Chorlton, Tom has trained for nearly four years, Tom always has that smile on his face, a very well deserved junior student of the year. For the senior student of the year, I do not think I have ever seen a look of such shock and surprise, Jim Brooks-Hulin stayed sat down for what seemed an age until something clicked. Jim was a third kyu in another style but due to work commitments he moved to us as our training days were better suited. Jim started at the beginning again at his own request, he worked his way back through the grades, getting back and passing his old grade. Jim is another, like so many of you, that are a credit to the Clevedon club. Presentations were also made for the fancy dress, nice to say that a big majority had joined in and tried something, I know it is not everyone's "cup of tea". Olivia May won the junior prize, whilst my son (do I have to admit to that?) won the senior. Presentations over it was back to partying. The disco started up again with a good variety of music, the dance floor started to fill, Jo Tully cajoled everyone she could to get up and shake. Dancing went on until more games were introduced, Limbo dancing brought out some sights to see, bodies being dragged under and over the bar, a little, well a lot of cheating was going on. Gary and Cindy seemed to be the biggest children of the night, or at least they certainly were leading them along!

Our thanks to all of those who gave their time to make it such a wonderful night, the disco Steve Burley can be reached on 01275 880427. If you liked the venue have a word with the steward or his wife at the Triangle club, very good value, the best venue we have ever had, and a well stocked bar, well it was until you lot got to it!

If I have missed anything let me know and I will add it, also any pictures you want added please send them to me. I have a link now for the pictures that we have so far, have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Kevin & Nigel

New Dan Grade

Congratulations to Zara Thomas who on November 18th became our latest Dan grade in the clevedon club. After what turned out to be quite a grueling pre-grading course Zara had earned her black belt.

Latest Opening! Clevedon club are expanding and will be running a club at Yatton Junior School on a monday evening. The start time is 19.30 until 20.30, this the only hour until the club is established and we can see if the second senior session is required. Please pass the word around, it is the best form of advertising.

Have you looked at our "students of the Month" pictures? Don't forget the kata course Sunday 4th November 14.00 - 15.30.

Check out our competition page for the latest results.

Officials Course

Sunday 11th November there was an officials course held at the Clevedon Dojo. A lower than hoped for attendance from the association but still some good support from our club, this was to be rewarded with presentations to three members of our club. Michael Dean, James Brooks-Hulin and Zara Thomas all gained their table officials qualifications on the day.

Kata Course

November 4th started off to be a kata course for those approaching grading from the Clevedon club, it turned out to be a very well attended course with visitors and instructors from Clevedon, Shinwa, Esporta and Bristol. With 49 training we soon managed to warm ourselves, we broke into groups and this gave each grade their own personal instructors. With a Dan grading on the horizon it was good to see six students who are all hoping to go for their Dan grade on November 18th, their standard was impressive. Our thanks to the instructors who gave their time and also to the students for their support.
Athletics Star

Sophie Millard has again been proving herself on the track and field winning medals at an event in Yeovil and I believe more locally recently. Dad will write a report and I will add it to this section.

Clevedon Training

Just a few snippets from a recent training night, we seem to be making more time for Ippon techniques and self defence, I feel it showed in our recent Dan grading where Chris Green and Shaun Langson showed their skills to the panel.

Badminton Glory

Grace Ball has again been showing her prowess away from karate, she has won silver in a recent badminton event, well done Grace.

Clevedon's latest Dan Grade Success

The weekend of July 7th & 8th was booked for the summer course and Dan grading, not only was the pressure of training on in the weeks before, the weather was not looking as if it was going to play ball! I had booked the sun a long time in advance but even I was getting worried about my connections above. Still as would prove out, the sun shone, the wind dropped to a nice level and all who attended had a great time. Valuable knowledge from many instructors was lost by a rather smaller than normal attendance from our club, we do not carry out many courses during the year and all effort should be given to attend these.

The Sunday brought the day of the grading, many nervous faces trying to concentrate on loosening up. The students attempting Shodan were first onto the floor, seven with our own Chris green being not only the eldest but nearly twice the age of his nearest compatriot. Still he gave it all he could, the sweat was pouring from him as he carried out the basic techniques, kata was next in line, a good strong performance. The icing on the cake for Chris came when Shaun partnered him for his Ippon techniques, the first strike on Shaun turned a few heads on the panel, that was setting the bench mark. The time that both of them have put in on this section and the help from the likes of Steve and Eddie proved to be very worthwhile. They were the only two carrying out take downs and very effective they were. The connections they made sounded hard and I expect a few were but the control that they have learnt together meant there were no injuries, this just as well as it was Shaun's turn to get up next, he was attempting his Sandan grade. Eight Dan grades in all going for a higher qualification. From the start the atmosphere was electric, here we had a group of established Dan grades who knew what was wanted from the and they were all determined to prove just what they could do. The standard that was shown throughout their grading was a good benchmark of what we in the WKU expect from our students, Dan grades and instructors. At the end of the day three of those attempting Shodan were successful, Chris being one of them. All eight of those going for the senior grade passed, Shaun amongst them. A point from being an instructor and also on that panel, the time and effort that Chris and Shaun have put in proved their saviour, a minimum of twice a week, most times both sessions and supporting of all courses and competitions that they could, it is their commitment that saw them through, once a week and not attending courses does not gain a black belt around your waist. Well done to both of them and thank you to those others as mentioned who have helped to get these two to the standard they are at.

Athletics Glory

Chris Millard the father of Sophie a first kyu at the Clevedon club is showing that the sporting prowess runs in the family. Chris recently represented Great Britain in and athletics tournament in Belgium, in the categories for the over 35's he came away with gold in the 200 metres, silver in the 100 metres and bronze in the team event. I hope I am as fit as he is at his age!

Look to our competition page to see the results and report on the Western Karate Union National Competition.

March 31st Club Grading

About a third of the club were graded and as always our younger members pull something extra out of the hat on a grading. The standard of effort was set by those attempting their 8th kyu, lots of heart and effort was very evident. Some of the seniors I am sure will have found it a little painful to move on Sunday morning but again they gave everything that they could.

Boxing Day Fun Run
Sophie Millard after her run in the boxing Day Fun Run event around Clevedon, we do not know how well she did but I bet she ran farther than I could have, well done Sophie.
Christmas Party 06 & Club Report
I have not a clue where the year has gone, not a bad one for the club with three new Dan grades through the system. New members have arrived, lost members will be missed but they will always be welcome back. A fair attendance at the party and many thanks to all who came along and hopefully enjoyed themselves. Our thanks also to Pauline for her help and all of those raffle prizes, the funds will be well spent on the sweets for the last couple of nights fun and games. A big thank you also to Jill Adams, you see her wandering around at competitions, courses and parties with her camera, what you do not see is the hours that she spends after editing the pictures and her work for us on the web sites. Tomas and Ruth did us well with the bar, I did not see anyone go thirsty on the night. As always there was plenty of food and a nice variety of it for all to choose from. The disco was all that we could hope for and with luck we shall certainly be asking them back for our next party. Thanks also to Gary, Sindy and family, when Nigel and myself arrived to set the place up they had it done already, saved a lot of stress and as you all know I get a little of that until after the presentations. On that note congratulations to Daniel Williams and Michael Dean, our latest junior and senior students of the year.
We have three new 1st Kyu's that now will be giving it their all heading for that Dan grading next year, Charles and Grace our latest 3rd kyu's have a lot of hard work ahead of them but I know they can both go all the way to achieving their Dan grades. The latest grading was a pleasure to watch, everyone gave all that they could, it must have been good as it was commented on that I did not shout at anyone! We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year, so please as always, keep drinking but please NO DRIVING.
To have a look at the party photographs you can go to the gallery page or click on this link here.
Dan Grading November 2006
Congratulations to our latest Dan grade in the Clevedon club. A very nervous Daniel Williams held it together and gave a fine display to be awarded his black belt by a panel of senior instructors at the bristol dojo on Sunday 19th November. Daniel was the only student from the Clevedon club and also the only junior attempting their Shodan. Well done Dan from all at the club.

Daniel with Dave Wheatley 7th Dan Vice Chairman WKU
Jersey Course

What a wonderful weekend in Jersey for all those that made the trip! We had sun, lots and lots of that strange yellow ball in the sky. Who would have thought that it was warm enough in October to go walking along the beaches and there are plenty of beautiful ones to walk along over there?
Oh well onto the training, over twenty students and families went from just the Clevedon club, this must have been our highest number yet. Those who arrived on the Thursday traveled along to Bel Royal school where the Jersey club meet, it was a relaxed session, well for those of us out the front, maybe not for the students. The intention of the senior grades was that with so many of our British/English squad out there we should give the local club a taste of the stamina training that is a regular occurrence at the Bristol dojo. I have a lot of respect for our juniors, including the likes of Olivia May, who at only 8 years old carried on until I had to stop her, well done all of you, yet again you showed that you have the spirit to go all the way.
Friday we trained for two hours, this session was to be the main kata session. With a good attendance we decided to get everyone onto Bassai Dai, let them all have something a little different and those who knew it could tidy up on stances. The senior grades then went into a session on Seienchin, lots of nice thigh aching stances in that one!
Saturday we went back to the speed and stamina training that help to make our squad one of the most respected and successful association squads in the country. Little did Nigel, Liam and myself know that we would suffer for our participation over the next few days. I shall have to think of some ways to get my own back on Andy Gunton for that! Our senior squad then showed the group techniques and drills that have helped to bring in a total of 32 titles at national level to just those five members. It was an inspiring display and one I know that will give the local club and the visitors something to remember. For the final session off the training on the Saturday, we broke into groups, some carrying on with drills, some getting more sparring practice in and another group moving onto kata. Here on the kata we have to thank Doug Joseph and Angelo from the local Kenyukai club, Doug helped us along with Gojushiho, a kata we had only just been learning a couple of weeks ago from Terry Pottage the Kenyukai chief instructor. Doug's knowledge of kata is immense and we all appreciated his help.
To round off the weekends training there were some presentations to be made, the junior student of the course went to Daniel Williams of our club, well done Dan, his work rate over the weekend had never dropped and he was up for everything that he could get involved in. The senior student went to a local lad Mr Tomasz Siodmiak, a very large Polish gentleman whom I would not want to get on the wrong side of!
Finally the last presentation was to our chief instructor Alan Flook, the Jersey club presented him with a beautiful Japanese sword for all of the work he has done in brining us all together and giving his knowledge so freely.
My thanks also have to go to Dave Louis who tirelessly sits in the background but is a driving force in getting sponsorship for the Jersey club. Dave is always there to support but not many would realise just how much work he does for us all. A great thank you also to Martin Gurren the Managing Director of Freelance Motor Group, Martin supplied Alan and myself with a Lexus RX300 and a Lexus RX 400h for the weekend. What a dream to drive, I don't think my knees stopped knocking until I returned the car and the keys all in one piece, thank you very much Martin.
I have never written as long a report as this but must add to the end of it our appreciation to Liam Ahearne, Jersey Wado Ryu chief instructor, ably assisted by his crew of Ryan, Steve and many others who made the whole weekend so enjoyable for all of us. See you there next year.

I have many more pictures of which I am in the process of editing, these will be displayed ASAP
AMA Portishead

Report on our competition page.
AMA Nottingham
Look on our competition page for a report and a picture of our kata star!
Beach BBQ

A great day if a little breezy at Uphill, nearly 50 members and families from Clevedon & Esporta helped to make the day a success. Thank you to all who attended, we hope everyone had enough to eat, as usual Wendy supplied lots of food and some lovely side dishes to go with all of those burgers and sausages. I think the breeze stopped the playing of the usual beach games, the sand was flying a little and I know we stopped the juniors training a little early as we were worried about them getting it in their eyes. Still a few hardy (or fools!) did manage to make it into the sea, I think again it was mainly the Clevedon club leading the way. Jill has done a marvelous job of getting pictures up on the web, there are just over 100 of them for you to browse through so please go and have a look at them.
Tough Guy Competition
On Sunday 31st July Shaun Langson from “Clevedon” and Ben Hughes from “Portishead”, traveled to Old Perton South Staffordshire to participate in the Tough Guy challenge. 2300 entrants stared the race off these only 1701 made it to the finish line. Both Shaun & Ben work at the Corus Hotel Spot & Leisure Centre, Failand.
Dan Grading Success
Congratulations to Jessica Adams and Michael "Dino" Dean on achieving their Dan grade. On a muggy weekend course, the Saturday spent outside training and the Sunday indoors being the final part of the grading, they gave everything they could. The result was two well deserved extra black belts at the Clevedon club.
Clevedon Club Grading
A total of nineteen students graded on Sunday 16th July. A fine hot day, just the type of weather to make them work that little harder! A great atmosphere and some very welcome help early on from our new Dan grades ensured that all of the students were put through their final session and ready for what was to come. Many thanks to Jill Adams for her photographic talents and lots of patience, in the last two weeks she must have edited and posted over two hundred pictures on both of our website's. Well done to all of those successful students, keep up the hard work.
St Nicholas Chantry Fete
Again another busy weekend at yet another school, a very hot day but still a fair attendance seeing as this was the second weekend in a row that we were asked to give a display. A very appreciative crowd seemed to enjoy everything, plenty of takers for the sparring and a few who strutted their stuff at individual kata. Well done and thank you all for your support.
Tickenham School Display
On a very hot summers day we were invited to carry out a display at Tickenham school. About 25 students came along to support and most got up and strutted their stuff be it individually or with a partner. The crowd enjoyed it and showed their appreciation with many rounds of applause. Well done to all of those who supported, these events are a showcase for the club and can be a good boost to the students own confidence.
Latest news
Another Clevedon student has made it into our national squad. Jenny May will be representing WKU in the forthcoming British Youth Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield. Jenny will be taking part in both kata and kumite, we all wish her the very best.

Jenny and her squad badge
Race for life
Two of our young ladies recently supported the events in aid of breast cancer, they both did very well in raising funds for the charity

Jess & Zara and their "race for Life" medals
Visit from Liam Ahearne
We were recently very pleased to have our friend Liam over from the "sunny" island of Jersey, the bond between his club and ours grows as many of our families have traveled for our annual course in Jersey, this year we have even increased those numbers and should be well on the way to eventually having our own plane full of students, well seeing as another regular visitor is Patrick, our own Dan grade pilot, perhaps we should have shares in Flybe!
On his visit Liam took charge of our Friday night club, two students were awarded with some rather smart medals, congratulations to Olivia May and Brad Thomas on receiving these awards. Brad as you will see on our competition page went on the have a weekend he will never forget, winning more medals in our national competition the following day.

Olivia and her Jersey medal
 

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