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What's New?

Renowned karateka and author/historian Patrick McCarthy gave a seminar on Koryu Uchinade at the SKK Judo Centre in Newton le Willows on April 30th. Andy, Martyn, Ian and Mick all enjoyed themselves and  met friends old and new.
 
A brainful of  drills need to be  practised to be sure we can retain them. Some really interesting stuff on kata interpretation, and a brief history of the transition of karate from Okinawa to Japan were highlights.
 
Click on the picture, left, to view the photo gallery


Grading Results 8th Feb 08
Not all candidates were successful, but our congratulations go to the following who were:
Irvin Dickinson            8th Kyu (not in pic)
Natasha Jackson          8th Kyu
Quillam Doe                 8th Kyu
Richard Swann             8th Kyu
Steph Dawson              8th Kyu
Andy McGuire             8th Kyu
Alison McNulty            7th Kyu
Ryan McFarlane           7th Kyu
Andrew French             5th Kyu
 


Thanks to Steve and Takumi Dojo for hosting Harry Cook at their seminar in Edinburgh on Sunday 13th Jan. Harry was his usual urbane wity self, and we concentrated on applications to Seiunchin (AKA "Sea Urchin") Kata .
We also found out that  former Tower Shukokai-er Jim Bailey passed his Third  Dan. Congratulations from all of us.
 
A few of us were privileged to join Harry as guests of Andy Wilkinson's Juurai/ Renketsu dojo in Frodsham on  17th Feb too.
This time we covered the basic Goju Ryu kata Gekisai dai Ichi.
Interesting to note:
1) Harry asserts that  Gekisai are not "proper" Goju kata as they contain the jodan age uke / rising forearm block, not seen elsewhere in the Goju Ryu syllabus
2) it is noteworthy that the fundamental kata series in the Shotokan syllabus are called "Heian" or "Peace". The  Goju Ryu  basic forms are named after the term for smashing & tearing!
nice!


Grading Results 7th Dec 07
Congratulations to the following:
Connor, Blue 1 tab
Abigail, Orange
Megan & Lucy, Yellow


Recent Promotions
 Congratulations on  the following promotions under continuous assessment:
James Bennett: Purple 4th Kyu
Jo Hegg: Blue 5th Kyu
Andrew French, Jamie Currie: Green 6th Kyu


Document Update
The Club Flyer and poster have been updated to reflect Coaches' qualifications, EKF membership, training times etc. They are now available as PDF for your convenience.


Tower Shukokai is 20 Years Old
Andy Allwood founded the club in the Tower Room at Darwen Leisure Centre in October 1987.
His first two students on the register were Caroline Heatlie-Jackson (Licence no 001, pictured left) and Nick Heatlie-Jackson (no 002, right).
To celebrate this auspicious anniversary, Nick and Caroline presented Andy and Lorraine with two bottles of wine.
Read article in the Lancashire Telegraph


Brown Belt Grading Results
Many congratulations to the candidates who took  the grading test on Saturday October 27th.
Successful at second kyu: Phil Wan & Katie Keppie
Successful at 3rd kyu: Jo Bennett
Congratulations also to Mike Pritchard who graded to 4th kyu purple belt under the continuous assessment scheme.


The new Turton, Edgworth and Belmont Community Directory is out, and we are in it. Look out for it around the community.


Tower Shukokai are "World Gravy Wrestling Champions." Click here for photos
On Saturday Sept 8th 2007 two teams entered the World Championships. Ian Marsden and "Super Roy" met Andy Allwood and Martyn Skipper in the two-man tag team final.
Based on crowd approval, Ian and Roy were crowned inaugural "World Champions". Ian can now add "World Champion" to his Sumo title of last week.
The event has received National and worldwide coverage. Some links:
 
 
 
Andy Interviewed on Australian ABC News
News of the Gravy wrestling reached as far as Australia, and today (September 13th) Andy  took part in a live  radio interview with Australia's ABC network. Click here  to listen, or watch video (kindly supplied by Joel "Chef" Hicks of Hinckley) by clicking here.
 


Tower Shukokai Sumo Championships
 
Due to the "no show" of the opposing team at the "White Horse" fun day on Saturday 25th July 07, the Tug o' War did not go ahead.
 
Instead, our testosterone-fuelled team had to satisfy our blood-lust elsewhere.
 
An impromptu Sumo Basho (contest) was held under the supervision of John from Boingabout
Ian Marsden was declared "Grand Champion". Dave Mangan was runner up and Andy Allwood took bronze. For more pictures, and the full draw


Andy's accomplishment makes the BEN, 25th July 07
Click on the pic left to read the article


HE'S DONE IT!!
 
Congratulations to Andy Allwood. On Monday July 23rd '07 he set out to break 30 1" pine boards with his hands in under one minute. Of course he succeeded - with three three seconds to spare! First estimates suggest he has raised in excess of £400 for Derian House. Look out for reports in the BEN and Lancashire Telegraph, both of whom sent photographers. Don't forget to bring in your sponsor money.
 
See Movie in YouTube link below or click on VIDEO to download


Grading Results July 07
 Congratulations to the following who were promoted under the new "continuous assessment" process:
Yellow: Declan Sisson, Aidan Lavin, Elliot Sisson, Sarah Booth, Sam Armstrong, Aaron Slessor
Orange: William French, Tom Grundy, Daniel Earnshaw
Green: Sam Comer, James Dady, Joe Morgan, Noah Wright, Bill Yarwood, Chris King


9th July 2007
Andy Allwood (right) and Martyn Skipper (centre) receiving coaching awards from AMA Regional Assessor Peter Allen, 6th Dan

Our coaching award was mentioned in the Bolton Evening News (with a picture)  and in the Telegraph.

Andy's forthcoming tameshiwari attempt appears in the Lancashire Telegraph
 


Grading Examination Saturday 28th April 07, Edgworth
Congratulations to all those who were successful.
Results as follows:
 
Abi Conlon 8th Kyu Yellow Belt
Andrew French 7th Kyu Orange belt (double graded)
Julia Mangan 7th Kyu Orange Belt
Jo Hegg 6th Kyu Green Belt
Connor Pritchard 6th Kyu Green one tab
James Bennett 5th Kyu Blue Belt
Mike Pritchard 5th Kyu Blue Belt
Jo Bennett 4th Kyu Purple Belt
Katie Keppie 3rd Kyu Brown Belt one tab
Phil Wan 3rd Kyu Brown Belt one tab
Ian Marsden 1st Kyu Brown Belt three tabs
 
Click on the photo or go to the Henka-ryu gallery for more pictures


1st Chojinkai Junior Open 11th March Penrith
A nine-strong squad plus parents and coach Martyn attended this tournament. For most it was their first open. All did well and John picked up a bronze in the 13-15years kumite. Congratulations to all. A full report will follow soon.
Click on the picture to see the gallery
*More pictures now in the Gallery, kindly supplied by Andrew French- Click on the image left to go to the Gallery* 


On 10th March 07 Martyn went before the AMA Technical Committee for his Fourth Dan Grading. After two previous unsuccessful attemps he passed on this occasion. He is pictured left with (l-r) fellow candidate Terry Rooke, who passed Third Dan Shotokan; Peter Allen 6th Dan, AMA VP and National Squad Manager; Tom Hibbert MBE, AMA President; and Kevin Hamilton-Stewart, 6th Dan, AMA VP and Technical Director.



Four Tower members entered the AMA International Open in Nottingham on Feb 25th 2007.
Andrew French and Philip Wan  saw their first taste of  WKF tournament in the male under 3rd Kyu kumite event.
Andrew won his first  round match and was beaten by the eventual winner in the second round - which qualified him for the repechage.
Philip lost his first bout desite some great kicking which did not find its mark. Phil's victor went on to take Bronze.
In his fight off for bronze, Andrew managed to score against his experienced opponent, but lost 3-1. So no silverware for the neophytes, but a creditable performance, and both said they enjoyed the experience.
The team of Andy Allwood, Martyn Skipper & Philip Wan went out in the first round.
In the male "masters" (over 35 years) event, Andy Allwood was a losing semifinalist, thus qualifying for the repechage. Andy's opponent was a former Iranian international. Martyn went out first round to the eventual winner, Dave McCleod of Bristol, which again earned him a place in the bronze medal draw. It was not the clubmates' fate to be drawn against each other on this occasion, and Martyn went on to take third place, for Tower's only trophy of the tournament.
Photo's, left (by Michael Pritchard) show Martyn narrowly missing a three point score against eventual winner McCleod, and the  trophy winners in the Masters event (Martyn second from left). Click on the photos to see the full set of pics in the gallery