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.

New Members in Hartland dojo

An update to add a few new members that have joined Huw in the BKAA Hartland dojo in North Devon.

• Dermot Hogan - 3rd Kyu
• Michelle Heard
• Dave Bryant

Welcome to you all and I hope you enjoy the journey that you have commenced into the world of Aikido.

Other BKAA news:

Some of the dojo sensei's joined a call a few weeks ago to run through the direction of the BKAA.

During this call the following was decided:

• Potential new syllabus to be circulated
• BKAA meeting in early 2013
• BKAA Facebook page unveiled
• http://www.facebook.com/BritishKiAikidoAssociation
• Further group calls will be arranged in the future.

BKAA Newsletter 20 Years Ago

As this is my first post to the current online BKAA newsletter, it seems oddly appropriate that its subject is the BKAA newsletter itself - but not as it is now.

I recently discovered and old paper-printed issue of the newsletter from on less than 20 years ago. Sadly some of the names mentioned are no longer practising with us. Though I note that Sensei Eileen was busy teaching an intermediate class at the time. Anyway, for the benefit of any old-timers who might appreciate a bit of nostalgia, you may want to read the short article I have posted about Ki Magazine #5 (March 1992) on the Hartland Aikido Club web site.

New BKAA dojo - Tottenham

David Findley has started another new BKAA dojo in Tottenham.

Tottenham Community Sports Centre,
701-703 High Road,
Tottenham,
London,
Haringey,
N17 8AD
Tel: 020 -8801-6401

Fridays at 5.30pm till 7pm

Nearest overground station  "White Hart Lane" (5 mins walking)
Nearest underground station  "Seven Sisters station, Victoria Line " (10 mins  on 149/259 bus)

Swindon Meeting and Recent Gradings

Thanks to all who attended the BKAA day out in Swindon, it was an enjoyable day and good to meet others from around the Association.

During the day two Swindon members graded to 5th Kyu, Yellow belt.

• Lewis Kidd
• Stephen Reuse

Well done to you both for performing under the added pressure of the bigger audience.

Additional gradings that I have omitted from last year.

Congratulations go to the following members of the Orpington dojo:

• Ultan McCarthy - 2nd Kyu - Blue belt
• Richard Georgiades - 3rd Kyu - Green belt
• David Westlake - 4th Kyu - Orange belt

Thanks again to all who made the Swindon meeting a success, during the coming months I will look into other venues to allow more to attend. Could you reply if a whole weekend would be better for these events?

Hartland Aikido Club

Huw Collingbourne has started a new BKAA dojo in North Devon.


He was practicing with the BKAA many years ago with Eileen and Maurice and has returned to us.


The start date for the Hartland Aikido Club is this week on March 15th. 


The venue will be the Bucks Cross Village Hall, between Bideford and Hartland.


Thereafter, he'll be practising regularly on Thursdays between 7- 9 pm.