BKAA Italian study trip with Koichi Tohei, 1987

How many people remember the BKAA's trip to Italy to study at a seminar given by Tohei Sensei in Florence in 1987? I recently discovered a batch of old photos from that memorable event. Take a look and see if you recognise a few faces. 

31 Count Jo Kata Workshop at Hartland Club

The Hartland Club begins a series of workshops on the 31 Count Jo Kata next Tuesday (4th February) with more workshops to follow on the first Tuesdays in March and April. Everyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to learn this famous kata in real depth. More information on the Hartland Club site: http://hartlandaikido.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/31-count-kata-workshop-next-tuesday.html

Aikido Workshop (multiple styles), Barnstaple - September 21st

The Bideford Aiki Jo Club is organising an Aikido and Aiki weapons workshop in North Devon, to celebrate the closing of International Aiki Peace week. BKAA members (and members of other Aikido associations) are welcome to attend!

Date: Saturday 21st September, 2013
Venue: The Budo Centre, The Ice Factory, Fairview Car Park, Barnstaple, EX31 1JP, North Devon
Registration 12.45.  
Times: 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm
(Insurance required)
Please bring Boken and Jo if you have them.

Teachers are:
Sensei Richard Small 4th dan (Iwama) TIA Europe. Teaches Aiki weapons in Bideford.
Sensei Huw Collingbourne 2nd Dan British Ki Aikido Association - founded and teaches Hartland Aikido Club
Sensei Jenny Herniman 4th Dan Shudokan Braunton Aikido Club
Sensei Mark Allcock 2nd dan TIA Europe of Wellsprings Aikido in Dorset
Sensei Andrew Cullerne 5th Dan Shudokan Barnstaple
Sensei Brian Stockwell 7th Dan Tenchi Ryu Barnstaple

Find out more about International Aiki Peace week. www.aikipeaceweek.org

Aiki peace week is a charitable event
Student fee  £10
All proceeds to charity. ( Macmillan Nurses)

For more information, contact Richard Small (TIA Europe) or Huw Collingbourne (BKAA)

Aiki-weapons class this Monday in North Devon

If you fancy a Bank Holiday trip down to the beautiful wooded valleys and seashores of North Devon, may I suggest that you also take the time to pay us a visit at the Hartland Dojo (at the Bucks Cross Village Hall, about mid-way between Bideford and Bude). This Monday we are pleased to have a guest instructor, Sensei Richard Small (4th dan, Takemusu Iwama Europe) who will be teaching some of the weapons arts of the Iwama Aikido tradition. Suffice to say, everyone is welcome. More information on the Hartland Aikido Club site: http://hartlandaikido.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/aiki-weapons-class-6th-may-dont-miss-it.html

Hartland Aikido Club, North Devon - new class schedule

The Hartland Aikido Club in North Devon is now practising twice weekly in Bucks Cross - a picturesque village close to the sea, mid-way between Bideford and Bude. If you are on holiday in Devon please feel free to join us! More information on the Hartland Aikido blog: http://hartlandaikido.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/bucks-cross-aikido-between-bideford-and.html

New BKAA Secretary & Treasurer

I have now handed over the reins to Matt Pilott in the Malvern dojo.

He will now handle all the grading and membership requirements for the BKAA.

• Group members insurance is valid until early December 2013
• Instructors insurance comes up throughout the year, aligned to each individual

James is looking at getting the BKAA together soon, to discuss the required direction of the Association and the grading syllabi.

Thanks for the support over the years I have been with the BKAA, I may now try other martial arts, but will maintain contact with the BKAA.

Pete Allen

Aikido in Woolsery, North Devon

From the end of February, the Hartland Aikido Club will practise twice weekly at two venues. The regular Thursday classes continue in Bucks Cross Village Hall (between Bideford and Hartland) at 7:00. A new class will practise on Mondays at the Woolsery Sports and Community Hall in Wolfardisworthy (pronounced 'Woolsery'). Monday classes will start at 7:30 and they will be suitable for beginners, men and women, from the age of 18 to, well, any age...

More information on The Hartland Aikido web site. Details of the Woolsery Hall on the Woolsery Community site.