Karateka interviewed on the BBC.............

This morning saw an early start to the day for Sensei Ron Bellwood and Kev Berry, who were to be interviewed by Nishma Hindocha of BBC radio Lancashire at the home address of the Blackpool and Wyre Chief Instructor.

The session was in relation to the future of the Karate club at the Poulton Le Fylde dojo, as the YMCA has told the club to find new premises, which has been brought to the attention of local media.
The interview was hosted by Alison Butterworth from the radio station studios in Blackburn, where she interviewed Sensei Bellwood some two weeks earlier in relation to being the oldest active Karateka within the IJKA.
The recording from that interview will be posted here at a later time, however Radio Lancashire have today provided the recording from todays interview for us to use on the blog for our followers to listen to.

Click here if you are unable to see the video.........

YMCA plug the plug on Karate club dojo.........

 Last night at training, Sensei Ron Bellwood informed Karateka of the intention of the YMCA to close the dojo and for the club to find a new venue from the 8th of June 2012, as it was going to turn the club facilities into office space.

As result of the move made by the YMCA, the club is to fight this to the wire with action and support from the community.

So far, the club seniors have contacted YMCA head office in London, Sport UK (who have given grants to the YMCA to keep clubs such as ours and others open to the community) and also local Councillors and the deputy Mayor have also been contacted.

With your support, we aim as a club to continue practising our art at the club dojo, as you could not better the facilities which we currently have there.

As requested by Sensei Ron Bellwood, the below is a letter which he has sent to the ward Councillor, which he wishes to share with you all.

Keep an eye on the blog for important and regular updates on this critical process.

 Dear Sir Or Madame. If I could introduce myself as Ron Bellwood who has run the Wyre karate club formerly for W.B.C & latterly for the Y.M.C.A. for the last 22 yrs at Poulton youth & community Centre. We have established ourselves as a caring club catering for all classes, creeds & religions & also all ages.   As you will probably know we have been given notice to quit the gymnasium where we train within the next month.   The Y.M.C.A have given us an alternative venue & time which is totally unacceptable mainly due to the time element for young people.

All our instructors are volunteers including myself & all fees are used for the benefit of the club members & it beggars belief that in this day & age when we are trying to put over Good manners & etiquette to the young people the Y.M.C.A. decide to turn our hall into Office space.  It can hardly be blamed on cutbacks as the recession has been going on now for three Yrs.  I might also point out that the Wyre  Borough council Received grant aid from Sport England  several years back to keep the centre open for the furtherance of sport. I suggest this is their Remit. Our ratepayers who are members of the club have shown loyalty to Wyre Borough in the past to the tune of 22.Yrs.

I also might say we have been there longer than any other group & members have spent their own money equipping it for our own needs & also for any other groups to use if they so wish.

Poulton Youth & Community centre is exactly that & not just for office space. I'm sure when you leased it to them you envisaged, partially at least, being used for what it was intended. It could need someone to market the place properly. When I ask around no-one knows where the place is. It needs advertising.

 Empowering young people & responding to the needs of youth in particular.( The Y.M.C,A, International motto.)

Thank you for listening  I remain yours Sincerly. Ron Bellwood. Wyre Karate Ryu.

Kyu Grade examination............

Thursday the 26^th of April 2012 saw Mr Kato S. Kancho (IJKA 9^th Dan) attend Blackpool and Wyre Karate Ryu at Poulton Le Fylde dojo, for a course and Kyu grade examination. 

The course started at 7.30pm which was started off with a thorough warm up by Sensei Milenna Galabova, which was followed by Sensei Michael Barr taking the course through a short Kihon based session on Choku Zuki.

As the course was aimed at all levels of Karateka, the Kihon was of benefit to all, including junior Kyu grades who have recently joined the club, who were facing their first examination.

Mr Kato then took the students further, as he concentrated on the benefits of applying one single Choku Zuki and the importance of impact power during the final application of the technique from a soft form, to gain speed and then power at the correct point of impact.

This was taken further by stepping sideways left and to the right, each time demonstrating correct form and impact power whilst punching Choku Zuki.

As the class continued through other aspects of Kihon, the session concluded for a short break before Kyu grade examination and Dan grades were taken through advanced Kata. 

The examination started with the clubs  junior white belts, who were tested on their knowledge of Kihon, kumite and Kata. Their spirit was noted as being excellent and considering that most were relatively new to the art, they all put in a really good example of Karate spirit at their level.

From this point onwards, the remaining Kyu grades went through their examination , where the brown belts concluded their grading at 10pm that night, some two and half hours after the start of the course.

Erin, William and Jade managed the impossible by triple grading, which is almost unheard of, earning them each 10^th Kyu.

Kevin and Kevin both graded well, where Mr Kato mentioned that they have positively progressed nicely.
Emma, being the lone yellow belt, successfully achieved 6^th Kyu.

Andrew and Antonio both did very well, as expected and both moving onto 5^th Kyu.

Teg’s established her position during the examination and earned 4^th Kyu.

Kev gained 1st Kyu, with Naz gaining his 2nd Kyu and Daniel earning his 3rd Kyu grade.

As you can see, 12 Kyu grades have progressed along the Karate road really well, which puts the club in very good stead for the future.
And also not forgetting the Dan grades, who have shown them the correct way to success for many months..

Well done.

Click here for a short video on the grading. 

A night to remember................

Blackpool and Wyre Karateka of all levels enjoyed an evening out in Blackpool on Friday the 20th of April 2012, where the club enjoyed a great down to earth meal at the West Coast Rock Cafe.
As the venue is obviously inspired by the famous Hard Rock cafe, many of the Karateka chose the healthy option of burgers, with Chili, including those named after famous films, such as the King Kong Burger.
One or two opted for the glorious steaks and this was eventually finished off with the monstrous "Fudgezilla" desert, which came with 8 spoons to share it out, however Lynda stole most of the spoons!
After the meal, the ensemble of bloated Karateka enjoyed several hours in the Layton Raikes real ale house, which was a short walk away, where the up and coming Kyu grading and IJKA course was discussed whilst sampling the huge selection of cask ales on the bar.
The evening drew to a conclusion during the early hours of the following morning, which was deemed a success as everyone had really enjoyed the night out.
As there are very few oportunites during hard training sessions to socialise, this was the perfect recipe to bring Karateka together and get to know them that little bit better in a relaxing environment.

Pictured from the left is Naz, Michael, Michelle, Andy, Emma, John and Lynda. Photo by Kev.

Kyu grading 26th April 2012

The next Kyu grade examination is to take place this coming Thursday at the clubs dojo in Poulton Le Fylde, with World Chief Instructor Sadashige Kato 9th Dan.
There will be a course prior to the examination, which will start at the new club time of 7.30pm.
As normal, you will have to pay your YMCA entry fee, followed by the course fee and examination fee if you are grading.
If you are grading, you must remember to bring your IJKA licence with you.

 Pictured above are the clubs junior Kyu grade members, who are indeed the future of Blackpool and Wyre Karate Ryu.
From the left is Erin, William and Annie, who has just taken up Karate, who is Sensei John's daughter.

20th April 2012...........

The clubs next social event has been booked for 7pm at the West Coast Rock Cafe in Blackpool, on the 20th April 2012.
If you fancy joining the club on this night out in Blackpool, let Kev Berry know to confirm your attendance.

IJKA course and grading...................

The next examination at the club is on the 26th April 2012 for all Kyu grades with our world chief instructor, Mr Kato. More details to follow.