News

English Karate Unification

Another attempt at unification is being tried. This time the English Karate Council is the umbrella body, sanctioned by the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA).

For detail and comment see Karate England, AMA, FEKO and Henka Ryu Blog, but not, oddly anything on the English Karate Federation website, as they have chosen not to join.

"Let's Kick Cancer" Seminar a Success

Great training and good fun, with £1300 raised so far. Click on image for more pics.

 

 

 

 

 

WUKF Kumite Rules

The AMA now subscribes to the WUKF kata & kumite rules. Back to Aka & Shiro, Ippon & Waza-ari. View  full rules HERE.

MHKA Summer Camp, Brecon

Martyn & Imogen completed the 2011 Gasshuku in Brecon. Great fun & good training

 

Manchester-Blackpool Cycle Ride in aid of Christies

On 10th July 2011 Martyn and his daughter, Imogen are joining the 90-strong NXP team to cycle the 60  miles in aid of Christies. Please support the great work of the Christie Hospital by pledging money at the dojo, or, preferably by visiting:

Ride completed. So far we have raised £6400 towards our target of £10000. Thanks to everyone for your generous contributions so far.

http://www.justgiving.com/nxp4c2011

 

Paul Coleman Kyoshi, 7th dan, seminar, Blackpool.

Jamie Edmonds played host at his excellent "First Dojo" facility on Saturday 7th May

"I practice the art of fighting, not the fighting arts" Paul said.

L-R: Paul Coleman, Martyn Skipper, Ian Marsden, Jamie Edmonds

Katie Keppie 1st Dan

On Saturday December 11th, Katie passed her shodan shinza. She showed tenacity, guts and style impressing the panel. Congratulations from all of us.

 

On October 2nd & 3rd we attended a course with Yamada sensei of the Shukokai Shitoryu group in the JKF. He was joined by sensei Kamohara & Oshita. We practiced 6 Shito / Ryuei Ryu kata over 11 hours of training. Thanks to Denis Casey for inviting us.

Pictured, Martyn with former All Japan kata champion. Oshita Sensei, 7th dan.

 

 

 

On the weekend of 3rd-4th July 2010 East Rural Network held their inaugural Scarecrow Festival. As well as raising a few eyebrows, and soliciting a few well-wishing toots of the horn from passers by, Martyn's entry earned a "Highly Commended" rosette from the judges. Tower member Nick Collinson of Hoddlesden also impressed with his "Scare Alien"

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Club Championships 13th June.

full report, results and pictures

Thanks to Richard for the video footage on YouTube

Well done and thanks to everyone who supported this fantastic event. Results as follows:
 2010 Tower Shukokai Club Championships - Results
Mixed Individual Kata
1Declan Sisson
2Sam Comer
3=James Foggo, Ben Comer
  
Small Boys Individual Kumite
1Aaron Slessor
2Lewis Campbell-Smith
3=Sam Ryder, Declan Sisson
  
Taller Boys Individual Kumite
1Connor Pritchard
2Sam Comer
3=Alex Holland, Nick Collinson
  
Tallest Boys Individual Kumite
1Robin Scowcroft
2Lydon Hulley
3=James Foggo, Sam Armstrong
  
Team Kumite
1"Grim Reapers" (Alex Holland, Sam Ryder, Declan Sisson)
2"Fat Cows" (Sam Armstrong, Nick Collinson, Lewis Campbell-Smith)
3"Bogeymen" (Lydon Hulley, Robin Scowcroft, Alex Warren-Swann)
See  "Club Champs" page for full results history
 
Congratulations to Richard Swann on achieving 4th Kyu 24th May 2010
 
NO KARATE Saturday 26th June due to Edgworth School Fair
 
Darwen's Oldest Karate Club
For some years we have been claiming that we are "Darwen's Oldest Karate Club". This claim has now been refuted by Darwen Karate Club, a Wado group. I have had a long chat with DKC's Wright Shaw, 5th dan. It is believed their club was founded in 1956 by Maurice Ainsworth. This has yet to be proven -  and  would make it ENGLAND's oldest - a record currently claimed by Vernon Bell in 1957. Nevertheless it is  certain that the club was operating in the 60's, and Wright has extensive, fascinating notes on the club's early years. I hope to share these notes with the wider world soon, as they are an enlightening insight into  the early days of karate in Europe. Meanwhile we are happy to retract our claim, having only been in the town for 23 years!
 
Coast To Coast Cycle Ride

On August Bank Holiday weekend Martyn is joining a team from University Centre Blackburn College(UCBC) cycling the 137 miles from Whitehaven to Tynemouth.

The team is hoping to raise £5000 for the Haiti earthquake appeal, as one of their team, Andy Barnes was one of the Fire Service volunteers on the scene to help.

 

Follow their progress on their Facebook page (Uni Centre Blackburn) or pledge your wedge at  http://www.justgiving.com/UCBC-C2C

 

 

23rd Oct 11 Keiji Tomiyama Seminar, Lancaster

Martyn & Imogen attended the 4 hour course hosted by Kofukan's Denis Koltsov. The training featured rhythm drills and the kata Nipaipo