Cumbria and the Borders Judo KAI

The FPJ level 1 course and level 2 revalidation course was held recently at our Burneside judo club. The course was lead by Penny Grigg assisted by John Crisp. Judoka travelled from Brechin, Dundee, Carlisle, Newcaslte and Washington to do the course. As usual when we all get together a great time is had by all. The evening meal on the Saturday was attended by 15 people, the rest opting for a local meal that did not require driving.

A huge congratulations to Martin and Mark on obtaining their 2nd Dan-Nidan-promotions at the Brechin area grading on Sunday 23rd September. Also to Med and Jack on their promotion to 1st Dan. A special mention also to Fraser and Jamie on their promotions to 3 green stripes and 3rd Kyu respectively .Also to all who successfully completed their gradings.

This was the first time in my capacity as grading officer that I had attended Brechin club and I was very impressed by the facilities and warm welcome that both Sylvia and I received.

Well done to Emma Dixon promoted to 1st Dan, a member of Burneside judo club. This is great news for the future of Cumbria and Borders BJC, and shows that our continued comittment to improving our area is working.

What kind of values will my child learn.

Medieval Knights were not just great fighters. They also tried to live by a code of behaviour called Chivalry. Japanese Samurai tried to live by a code of behaviour too. Their code was originally called Bushido, but today it is called Budo.

 Outside of Japan, most martial arts ignore the code and concentrate on the fighting. Cumbria & The Borders Judo clubs however, believes that the real purpose of Judo is not to produce better fighters, but to produce better people. The code of Budo teaches respect, sincerity, and not to use your skills for wrongful purposes. We try to instil those kinds of values into all of our students.

The BJC has decided to introduce a new rate of membership known as a

Special membership. To qualify for this membership you need to have 20

years continuous membership with the BJC and be over the national

retirement age.

If you met the criteria and are interested in applying for this membership,

please contact BJC Head office.

37 High Street Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9AH

Phone, 01692 580 900

Cumbria and the Borders: An area of the BJC

A Brief History of the BJC in Cumbria

1998 John Barton makes contact with the BJC, which has retained traditional attitudes, including a balance between different aspects of judo, including kata.and Shiai. Watanabe kwai, the club John established in the 1986 becomes affiliated to the BJC in July.

2000 Alan Findlay's Brampton judo club joins Watanabe kwai in forming the Cumbria Area of the BJC. As an area, they are responsible for organising their own area events, such as championships, gradings and coaching sessions.

The area holds a kata course and dan grading with the BJC vice-president as senior examiner. These kata courses become an annual event, and in future years attract Angela Brown, Dave Reveley, Dale Fenwick and Norman Reveley - all kata experts and world champions.

2001 John Barton establishes Burneside judo club near Kendal.

Cumbria holds an FPJ Level 2 coaching course with Akinori Hosaka, kodokan hachidan(8th Dan). This attracts judoka from Scotland and the north of England.

2003 Stronger links are forged with St. Ronan's BJC judo club in Innerleithen, established by Dave Hammond. As the clubs regularly support each others events, St. Ronan's joins the area which becomes known as Cumbria and the Borders.

The Borders annual Summer School is established by Dave Hammond

Alan Findlay Sensei dies on August 19th. Brampton judo club, which Alan had founded 40 years earlier, continues for a few months before closing.

In November George Temperton, yodan, is invited across to hold a kyushindo judo course. George Temperton was one of Kenshiro Abbe's students and still practises and teaches Abbe's style of judo.

2004 The area badge is introduced. Designed by Derek Gove, it features kanji that read henkyo, which means borderland, or frontier.

2005 Dave Steadman's Seishin Judokwai joins Cumbria and the Borders based at Oxclose, Washington.

Dave Hammond moves to Dundee and establishes the Ippon Judo Club. He remains part of Cumbria and the Borders. The club quickly establishes itself in the University city.

2008 Mark Arbuthnott's Mudanshakwai JudoClub of Brechin joins Cumbria and the Borders.

2009 Innerleithen Judo club closes.

2009 John Barton establishes the Staveley Judo Club, Nr Kendal

2012 Dundee Ippon judo club withdraw membership from the BJC

Call me Aki please, he would often say to me during the many conversations we had together, or in the company of others. This I must admit I found difficult to do. Not because I did not consider him as a friend, but mostly due to the respect I held for him both on and off the mat. He thoroughly enjoyed his visits to Cumbria and the Borders and seemed relaxed and at ease in our company. I remember standing with him outside a fish and chip shop in Brampton waiting patiently for our turn in the long queue which always appeared on a Friday night. He carried his fish supper triumphantly into our dojo canteen to the amazement of many nervous judoka, who were meeting him for the first time at the beginning of one of the many FPJ courses he ran in our area. Although a highly respected Kodokan 8th Dan he had a great sense of humour which always shone through when in his company. Like many people in our area I lament the passing of a friend who’s like I will never see again. It was a privilege to have known him, and I am left with many fond memories of the man who wished to be called Aki.