HeaderPONTESBURY RESIDENTIAL COURSE SEPTEMBER 2009
On the weekend of the 5th-6th September kazokukai held its annual course in Pontesbury near Shrewsbury Shropshire.
Course instructors were Sensei Derek Ridgway 7th dan and Sensei Dave Wilkins 6th dan.
the course was to cover okinawan principles of karate including what Ssensei Wilkins had learnt on his recent visit to Okinawa.
Sensei Ridgway was to back that up by teaching the kata Tomari Useishi which is from the matsubayashi shorin ryu system on Okinawa.
the course as ever was well attended with all students having a great weekends training and socialising.
after the training on saturday there was a black belt grading. the successfull candidates are listed below.
Martin Smith Shodan
Billy Baugh Shodan
Michael O'Connor Shodan
Jessica Crook Shodan
Claire Thompson Nidan
Darren Hickey Nidan
John Walsh Sandan
Alex Bell Yondan
Our congratulations goes to them all.
Message from Sensei Derek Ridgway
I would personaly like to thank Sensei Dave Wilkins for his excellent instruction and for sharing with us his knowledge gathered in his 3 visits to okinawa.
I would also like to give a big thanks to my wife Lori who worked hard in the kitchen all weekend making sure the hungry masses were kept well fed.
A special thanks to Ian Nicholls who took some fine photo's over the weekend.
Lastly a big thank you to all who attended the course and made it such a success.