Newsletter
The length of this Newsletter suggests the very busy time we
have had in Aikido during the month of May.
Having given thanks at the end of April, for the benefit of a
great life of great man, that of Ueshiba Osensei on the 26th
of April. Now 36 years since his death. We began May with
our ( BHA ) birthday on the 1st May.
The following weekend the 7th May, we had our
Senior grades and Black Belt Monthly practice at Exeter.
This then followed on the 14th of May by the Abbe
Celebration and 50 years of Aikido Jubilee . Lovely Jubbullee
as Del Boy would say !
The Event began with arrival at 8am, by which time some of us
had been on the road to the National Sports Centre, Crystal
Palace, London, for over four hours. The Japanese Drummers were
energetically drumming out the sound to greet us. But not
before Geoff Sensei was greeted at the door by a former student
Chris Cousins, a few yards behind him was Justin Mc Carthy
another former student, and over just as short a distance was
Julian Pratt and his friend David, many more old friends seemed
to be present. New aikidoka were also greeted and new
friendships made. Of course we had two VIP`s in our own party.
All of the Banyu Hatten Aikido participants arriving for the
official Bow On and official opening ceremony. One celebrity
Aikidoka, after another taking the whole of the participants
through a variety of techniques, that were related to Abbe
Sensei until lunch time. When the Japanese drummers plus one
extra musician who volunteered to assist, apparently a young
blonde lady
from Belgium called Inge. During this period many Honorary
guests were introduced, including a representative from the
Japanese Embassy, letters were read from distant representatives
including the Ueshiba family Japan, Chiba Sensei in the USA, and
several other friends of the good ship Aikido UK.
Everyone who attended the event, has declared how much they
enjoyed the friendliness of everyone they practiced with on the
tatami. One Sensei and VIP, was seen eating a lemon ice cream,
and for some reason or fetish allowed it to adorn his gi jacket
!(uwagi) The suggestion was that he wanted just that colour for
some curtains he required !? Certainly this was a very positive
event for the unification of all Aikido, as there were
representatives from many associations and different styles (? )
of Aikido present.
After lunch more practice of Aikido, demonstrations of Aikido,
Iaido, Karate, Kendo, Kyudo, Judo, the draw for the Katana and
Tanto, and various other prizes were won by the lucky ticket
holders. Some of our party travelled home, two of us the VIP`s
stayed on for a social with other VIP`S, honoured guests, and
Aikido Patriarchs, arriving home at 2.30am Sunday morning. Many
many thanks to the Essex Aikido Forum, for their hard work and
organisation, of this memorable event for all Aikido.
Should you have not been present, you missed an historic,
memorable, informative, happy occasion that allowed us to share
with others the bond of Aikido. See you at the next 50 years
Jubilee !?
From the past in Aikido to the present, and
future on the 20th, 21st and 22nd
May, we provided the venues for Maruyama Sensei Seminar at
Portishead and Bath Spa University, for the Aikido
Yuishinkai UK . We have received letters and thank you cards,
and personal felicitations for our efforts to you all. We
should especially thank those who stepped in to organise and
make an effort on all our behalf. Especially to Portishead
Banyu Hatten Aikido Norman and Sumarna, for their organising and
buffet at their home for Mr and Mrs Maruyama and their guests,
and accommodation of Sensei Geoff, our thanks go to Mike Adams
a great supporter to BHA, Peter de Laune despite his health
difficulties a willing supporter as always, and at Bath time
!! Gemma, Rachael, and the Bath Spa students and their Sensei
David Wellesbury and to all those who modestly gave their good
will, that I have not mentioned. They worked while others
enjoyed, because of their efforts. Thank you
.
The event at Portishead seemed to be the primer for an
enjoyable learning experience over the whole weekend and
consolidate our link with Master Maruyama. He is truly a Master
of Aikido, with great quantities of integrity and experience
that anyone can see for them selves. A great role model for all
Aikido !
All of the Aikido Yuishinkai UK Associated clubs were present at
some point over the weekend. This allowed for the first time an
association of the Aikido Yuishinkai UK gathering together for
the first time for a Seminar in the UK. Surmounting the various
problems, that occurred with this first Seminar for all of us.
Our special thanks to all those who attended and to those also
who considered attending but could not actually do so.
It
has been muted that next year the Aikido Yuishinkai UK will
place the Maruyama seminar in South London, still this may be
changed, and it is a long way off for us. Accommodation costly,
travel and possibly half a days work getting there, family
neglect ! etc
The following weekend 28th May our General
Monthly and Buki Ryu the penultimate weekend before the June
Assessments for some !
4th of June 2005 the
Senior grades and Black belts Monthly followed by the
June Assessments. May we congratulate the following on
their success, at Yellow 5th kyu. Chris Brossard
Jo Brossard
Will Duffield
Andrew Duncan
David Duncan
Julie Hosegrove
Steve Hosegrove
Guy Jehu
Alan Maline
John Parsons
Chris Williams
Chris Willman
Orange 4th kyu Colin Baker
Andy Crowe
Mike Hellman
Leighton Jones
Claire Wellesbury
&sp;
Green 3rd kyu Alex Potkins
Blue 2nd kyu Alex Janes
Damon O`she
Shodan Black Belt Award - Inge Peerlinck
Nidan 2nd Dan
Black Belt - Paul Rumming
Further congratulations to Paul Rumming for
attaining his Sensei Award
The Diploma Course Weekend 11th - 12th
June 2005
.
Weekend of the 18th June preparation for Summer
school
.
25th
June Monthly General Course and Buki Ryu
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Congratulations
to Geoffrey Stephen and Torston George on attaining their 4th
Kyu Orange Belt at London Imperial University Club on Monday 13th
June.
******************************
Best wishes to Mr and Mrs Moger-Taylor on their Second child to
be born at this time !
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A call from Sensei Quentin Cooke 5th
Dan suggested we all at the
AikidoYuishinkai UK get together for a Course next year on the 4th
March 2006. What do think ? Each of the Aikido Yuishinkai Sensei
take an hour course each on the day ! Please let me know in the
next two weeks, so that we can at least accept on that date or
not.
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3rd of July to
the 10th of July 2005
SUMMER SCHOOL
A
WEEK OF IDYLIC FARM LIFE
DOWN ONT FARM !? Among Debn local folks !!
Forget the Archers and come and get the real thing