As L&LS (with its students both new and
long term) has developed, so have its bases,
with two of the three senior 2nd Dan (Black
belts) branching out to run Schools of their
own. Sensei Henry Bellinger now runs
classes in Stoneygate and Alison Golland
runs classes at Twyford Village Hall, Melton
Mowbray.
Along with the three students that have
trained hard and have achieved their 2nd
Dan Black Belts, there are now 31 students
who have achieved 1st Dan Black Belt
status within the four L&LS Schools; nine of
those actually come from our school here in
Barrow. In no particular order they are:
ANWEN EDWARDS, BRADLEY &
RHEANNA SPENCE, JOHN SPENCER, NEIL
THOMPSON, THOMAS, FRASER &
STUART McHALE, and GUY SILK (who will
hopefully be featuring in an article in
September’s Barrow Voice - a follow up to
the article he wrote for Barrow Voice seven
years ago when first starting Karate lessons
in Barrow). There are also many more
students both young and old (ages ranging
from 5 to 52 yrs) working through their
coloured belt grades to hopefully achieve
the coveted Black Belt and perhaps beyond
themselves. Karate development is a
personal thing and everyone aspires
differently.
Bradley Spence (15) was selected for the
AMA England Karate Squad at the
International Championships in February
and on his first call up achieved a bronze
medal in the Individual Kumite ( free
fighting). Henry Bellinger also took part,
following his call up to the squad last year,
winning one contest nine - nil.
Since our last article in the Barrow Voice,
I have also passed another milestone in the
world of Karate; the extra training and time
that was required is perhaps one of the
reasons why it has been so long since I last
wrote. Back in August 2008 a group of us
travelled to Torquay for a week of Karate
training with the Amateur Martial
Associations (AMA), to whom we are now
associated. This in turn makes L&LS
recognised by the European and the World
Karate Federations. Whilst in Torquay I
successfully graded for my 5th Dan and this
I am pleased to say now classes me as a
Shihan; a formal title meaning a “teacher to
other instructors” (A “teacher of teachers”).
This is something that I never normally
mention and at the club I am still formally
known as Sensei Pete (Sensei simply
meaning “teacher” in Japanese). However,
this being an informative article and an
effort to impress with recent developments
then I think I will pop it in:)!
“The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies
not in victory or defeat but in the perfection
of character of its participants.”
Gichen Funakoshi (1868 - 1957, the father
of modern day karate)
Should you wish to get in touch with a
view to training or anything else concerning
our classes then please contact
Sensei Pete
on or at :-
0116 2996484 or 0771 9975099
www.leicesterloughboroughkarate.co.uk
LOUGHBOROUGH SHOTOKAN
KARATE, VENUE: BARROW-UPON-SOAR
SCOUTS HUT
MEET: Every Sat: 9am (beginners 5yr
minimum age) 10am (intermediates)
11am (Advanced) 12am (Adults)
Sun: extra training & specialised classes
Cost: £3.50 child - £4.00 adult
L & L Shotokhan celebrates its ninth year in Barrow
