Tower Shukokai Yudansha

DOB 10.6.63.
When and where did you start karate? Biggin Hill Henka-Ryu in December 1976
Why did you start karate? Because my schoolmate Mick Whitelock was doing Taekwondo, and it seemed cool
First instructors Glenn Wylie, Dave Roberts
Date of 1st Dan & Examiner / Association Glenn Wylie, Frank Kelly 13.6.81 (AKA)
Date of 2nd Dan & Examiner / Association Ben Oltmans 9.8.96 (IBF)
Date of 3rd Dan & Examiner / Association Peter Schoenewille 6.8.88 (IBF) 

Nick "Crash-Test" Heatlie-Jackson 2nd Dan

 

DOB: 14th August 1961 A long, long, time ago in a galaxy far, far away!

When and where did you start karate? October 1987 at Darwen Leisure Centre
Why did you start karate? For fitness and self defence
First instructor: A young 1st Dan you might know as Andy Allwood. At the very first night that the club opened with a demo, my wife Caroline and myself signed up, and we are very proud to be able to say that, even after a break, we are still friends and associated with the club.
Date of 1st Dan & Examiner / Association: 1st March 1992, Tom Scott 4th dan Shinji-ru Karate Association /  Instructor Andy Allwood
Date of 2nd Dan & Examiner / Association: 27th November 1994, Dave Ritchie / Andy Allwood, British Tori Kai Karate Association
First started teaching: Andy asked me to assist when I reached 3rd Kyu, probably 1989
Relevant experiences: Started training with Andy as one of his first students in October 1987 when the club was with Shinji-ru then with other associations but Andy was always there to guide us all in the right direction.
Biggest influences: Andy Allwood, Tom Scott, Dave Ritchie, Greg Francis and the Jiyu Kigen Ryu Sunday crew.
Competition honours: 1988-Shinji-Ru up to 4th kyu kata 2nd;1988-Shinji-Ru up to 4th kyu kumite 3rd; 1989-Shinji-Ru up to 4th kyu kata 3nd; 1994 BTKA nationals senior kumite 3rd; 1994 BTKA nationals Senior team event 3rd; 1995 BTKA nationals Senior lightweight kumite 3rd; 1995 BTKA nationals Senior team event 3rd
Other qualifications: 30 years as a hairdresser (still don’t understand women)
Blackburn Area Road Safety Association Gold Star Driver Award

Any other relevant info: Attended various courses with the likes of Alfie Lewis, Keiji Tomiyama, Greg Francis, Tom Scott and Dave Ritchie.
Favourite technique(s) / aspects of karate: Anything that scores, Nasty street techniques, the self control and the respect for other people and Karateka that Karate gives you.
Favourite food: Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Kebabs, Bury Black puddings, just about anything - I’m a human dustbin.
Favourite book/ author: Tolkien / anything, John Steinbeck / Of Mice and Men,  Jim Fogg
Desert Island disc: Too many, but anything by  Bowie, Meatloaf, Pink Floyd, Lancashire Hotpots, Elgar, Verdi, Giacomo Puccini or Strauss
Favourite film/ movie genre/ director: Feel-good movies (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Grease) Sad movies (Forrest Gump, Ghost) Men’s films (Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Dam Busters).
Other external interests: Fishing, Motor sport, Motor cycles, Rugby union, Wine and Real Ale, Eating out, Autism, Yorkshire Coast and The Lake District.

 

 

Matt Rathmill 3rd Dan

DOB 28.09.70.
When and where did you start karate? Early 80s at Temple St Church Hall, Middleton Bushido Karate Club.
First instructor: Sensei Phil Moulton
First started teaching: 88-89 started to help at a club in Middleton (Kokoro) when the instructor was having a few problems. Ran the club with a good friend of mine, Mike Richmond.
Relevant experience: Trained in the martial arts from a very early age as my father did karate in the early 70's and taught me bits and bobs. So in a way he was my very first instructor. Have done the usual courses. Never really got much from them! Taught in my own club from 1995-2000 before it folded.
Grading record:Up to 3rd kyu, Terry Pottage; 3rd-1st kyu, Tommy Kwan; 1st dan 1992, Tommy Kwan, Steve Yates, Callum Moore; 2nd dan 1995, Steve Yates, Chris Yates, Callum Moore; 3rd dan 1999, Denis Casey.
Biggest influences: Richard Rathmill, my father. Mentally the strongest man I ever met (and the smartest).
Sensei Phil Moulton, a great if stern teacher who gave me my technique and sense of discipline. Sensei Tom Buggie, possibly the finest  practical martial artist I know. Sensei Moulton gave me technique. Sensei Buggie taught me what to do with it.
And finally, my oldest and longest friend sensei Mike Richmond for providing me with the inspiration and the extra push to train beyond my limits, and for showing me training hard can still be fun.
Competition honours: Many inter-club and local / regional. Won some. Lost some. The ones of note:
Ken Yu Kai U18 kumite 1st
1994 BKA Open U75 kumite 1st
1996 BKA Open +75 kumite 2nd
1998 BSK Open Team kumite 1st
2000 Preston Open kumite 1st
Favourite aspects of karate: The art but not at the expense of effectiveness. If the technique is good, everything else should fall into place.
Favourite technique:  Ashi Barai (great for all occasions)
Favourite food: Lamb
Favourite book/ author: Jaws, Peter Benchley 
Desert Island disc Anything by  Clapton, Hendrix or Gilmour, and the "Young Guns" guitarists, Philip Sayce, Joe Bonamassa. Greatest album; "John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton".
Favourite film: Shawshank Redemption, Blade Runner, Hero - depends what day it is. 
Other external interests: Music (I love to make a noise on my electric guitar). Art - should draw more often than I do