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Old News and Events

Triathlon - 28th June 2009

Paul Stimpson - Fund Raising Event

Paul Stimpson from Coventry Club took part in a Triathlon event in the Lake District on 28th June 2009. This started with a 1.2 mile swim in Ullswater, folowed by a 56 mile cycle round the lakes, and ending with a 13 mile run through Barton Fell. He must be a very fit fellow. He says he was inspired by Tony's picture at the New Year Demo - following the winding path up the mountain.

Paul says -"When I got closer to the finish, hear people cheering, I was happy and exhausted all at the same time, what a feeling running into the finishing area and across the line... Wow had I just done that".

"My total time came in at 7hours 19mins 28secs.

I would like to thank everyone for all their good luck and support. I feel so humble.
Plus thank you for supporting the Vivian Cancer Reasearch Fund".

Paul Stimpson
Coventry Club.

New Parks Club Hosts Mass Training

Tues 30th June 2009

Klick on the picture below, for the slide show.

This event was very well attended by both students and instructors, and everyone seemed to have a really good time. Starting with the usual warm-up we went on to combinations, basic techniques, khed, freestyle and pad work, all under the watchful eye of the many blackbelts. Students of the art-form just love the opportunity to practice it, and with a few useful tips from the instructors, and more time, we all hope to keep improving. It's always inspiring to see, and practice with, students from other clubs, and valuable to get input from other instructors.

The time flew by, which is always a sign of how enjoyable the event is, and it was all over so quickly, though we had been hard at it for a couple of hours or so. A big thank you to Master Tony Francis, and Matt Kendrick, and all the other instructors who helped to make the evening such a memorable one.

Kick Cancer Out - 24th May 2009

Fund Raising Results now in for this event- Click here to see

Klick on the picture below, for the slide show.

Message from Ustad BS Daliwahl

"On behalf of the Trustees of the Vivian Cancer Research Fund I wish to express my deepest gratitude and a big Thank You to all the members, families and friends who made such a fantastic and generous effort to raise such a large amount of money for a cause so dear to our Hearts. I and my family are personally grateful to all of you and once again wish to say a heartfelt " Thank You ". The Trustees will now decide how to allocate this money and further funds from the hugely successful Charity Ball and we will keep you fully informed.

With Respect and Gratitude to All.

Ustad B. S. Dhaliwal.

New Black-Belts May 2009

Klick on the picture below, for the slide show.

The Black- Belt Presentation is, to me, THE most important Event of our calender. It is an event at which we should ALL gather to pay Respect, and Tribute, to the efforts of fellow practitioners who have, through much endeavour, and struggle, achieved a Milestone in the Journey of their development, both as Artists, and as People. This Event alone, serves to keep in the mind of every student, an awareness of their own goals, and aspirations, and, through this awareness, the 'fire' of stimulation is kept alive. This Event alone, furnishes us ALL with the hope, and realisation, that, with Patience, Application, and Guidance, we too, can achieve beyond ourselves....because 'ordinary people' like us, have managed to take that quantum leap. This Event makes us 'look' at our selves, evaluate, and appraise, our own attitude to our training. And, it should not matter whether we know these people on a personal basis, or not....they are our colleagues, and we share the same 'struggles and hopes'. - BS Dhaliwal.

Filey Family Fun Weekend -May 2009

Klick on the picture below, for the slide show.

May Bank Holiday weekend 1st - 4th May 2009

Continuing the tradition of going away with family and friends, for the May Bank Holiday weekend, we returned to Primrose Valley Haven site, at Filey, for the 2009 event. This year, 10 groups came on the family fun weekend; groups from Derby, Coventry and Leicester areas, about 40 people in all, and about 20 of these were Blackbelts, which makes for a very high student, instructor ratio. The park welcomed us as a group, and arranged for most of our caravans to be allocated close to each other. Some even had sea views! (Please don’t expect this every time). The weekend went well, the weather was kind, and many of those who came have already booked at the site, to return again next year.

The weekend was very informal: we startied by meeting up with everyone on the Friday evening, in the main entertainment bar. Then, on the Saturday and Sunday mornings, as the weather was good, we were able to train. Saturday was the best day, weather wise; it was calm and sunny, so we went to the beach for a few hours. This year, we trained just after high tide, which meant that the sea was very close. It is an inspiring experience to be on the beach, within inches of the waves, living the Kedh, and working together in freestyle.

Sunday morning, the tide was just coming to high tide, so the strip of sand and shingle would have been even narrower, so we decided to train on the park recreation ground instead. In the shelter of the trees and caravans, it was once again warm and sunny, and our presence on the site attracted quite a few interested spectators. Many thanks to all who participated.

In the afternoons, some groups visited Scarborough, or walked to Filey, along the beach, some groups were just happy to chill out, and talk. Saturday evening, some groups went to the on site Chinese restaurant, for a four course meal, which proved to be very popular, and then we visited caravans, and socialised. On the Sunday evening, we organised a “bring and share” barbeque for everyone, which was also very successful, although the weather was a bit more eventful that evening, and the Barbies were lit in the rain, under an umbrella. Fortunately the rain soon drifted away, and the sun re-emerged, making it a very merry evening, in more ways than one.

The popularity of Filey, is a simple recipe of training, and informal social activity, which gives a chance to meet new friends, and renew old ones. We will be there again next year, 30th April – 3rd May 2010. If you would like to join us, you need to decide who will be in your caravan, and ask the lead person in your family/party, to make the booking for you. To do this, you need to telephone the park group bookings manager, direct on 0871 2310892, to give details of your party, and pay for the accommodation. All bookings must be made over the phone, by Visa or Switch. The prices are listed on the Haven website, www.havenholidays.com. Be sure to mention that you wish to be near the existing bookings, in the Tetsudo group. Book early for the best deals, Primrose valley is a popular site, if you leave it too late, you may find that it is booked up.

Jane Davis

Annual Demonstration 2009

This was a very special event this year, being not only the annual demonstration, which is always memorable, but also a memorial event for Viv Dhaliwal, who was awarded a Mastergrade during a special ceremony after the demo. All through the demo, people spoke, sometimes very emotionally, of the special qualities that Viv brought into life, and especially into Tetsudo. To a large extent the demonstrations were demonstrations of those very qualities.

We were given the memorable treat of seeing the art form at its highest manifestation, and this year we were especially honoured by Mr BS Dhaliwal himself, demonstrating his unique ability to break a brick through another person's hand, and this tme through two hands, specifically those of his sons, who, with admirable trust and bravery, laid their hands on top of the brick to be broken. They suffered no apparent injury or discomfort.

Mr Dhaliwal also picked out a few unsuspecting blackbelts from the audience to do impromptu demonstrations, and these especially demonstrated the quality of being always able to respond 100% to unexpected events. These included a beautiful Khed by Ustad Bhal Singh, a remarkably calm and "laid-back" brick break by Master Trevor Brindley, and awe-inspiring freestyle from Master Tony Francis.

For those unfortunate enough to not be there, and for those who would like to experience the evening a second time, a DVD will be available soon. There is also available a two hour double DVD of the 2008 Competition, and for those who attended the Khed Course in August there is now available a one hour DVD of the course. There is nothing like watching yourself and others on DVD to help you get things right. The Junior competition video has been delayed because of technical problems caused by the very poor and uneven lighting in the hall, but it is hoped to be able to use computer wizardry to get round that, and release it soon. It will be one hour long. Please order through your Instructor: Instructors can order from Black-Belt Claire Spilaine. The pricing for these new DVDs is under discussion at the moment, and will be announced soon.

National Competition 2008

Sunday at Moorways, saw the 2008 Senior grades competition with many inspiring performances of Kedh, and freestyle, especially from the black-belts who put in truly exemplary performances, and who were, without exception, a pleasure to watch. The rest of us, who are still aspiring to reach that standard, also put on a good show, with many fine performances.

As the "official photographer", I got to be really close to the action all day, and so thoroughly enjoyed it - a pleasure to watch.

For those who coudn't attend, I am working on the video, and hope it will be available very soon, along with some "stills" from the movie footage, and in the mean-time, the slide show is available above. For those who did attend, the pictures should be a nice reminder of what a great time we all had.

Junior Grades - Saturday 13th September 2008
Click here for the winners list
Click on a Picture below for 2 slide-shows

The 2008 National Competition has been split into two this year, and the first event, for Junior grades, was a great success. It might mean more work for those involved in the administration, but certainly made the day less hectic, and easier to get everything fitted into the time. With such a very high standard of entries, it must have been hard for judges to decide the winners. Winners or not, the competition does tend to bring out peoples best performances, and it is a great pleasure to watch people perform, and to see how much progress they have made. This is, after all what Tetsudo is about, a journey, and an adventurous one at that, learning to focus, to make an effort, and to keep moving forwards.

For those who coudn't attend, an HD wide-screen video was made, and this will be available soon, along with some "stills" from the movie footage, and in the mean-time, the slide show is available above. For those who did attend, the pictures should be a nice reminder of what a great time we all had.

Kedh Course

Sunday 3rd August 2008
Click on a Picture below for 2 slide-shows

The Kedh Course was so well attended that there was only just enough room for everyone. Organised chaos was the impression you might get as a bystander, with different groups, practicing different Kedhs, with different instructors, all shouting out different counts and instructions, all at the same time, . There was an enormous buzz in the hall, and the instructors seemed to have endless energy and patience, as they put their groups through the Kedhs again and again, until they got it right, or at least better. At times the floor was cleared and small groups came out to perform their Kedhs. It was a pleasure to watch, and although people were at all levels and abilities, and some were a bit shy when it came to "emotional content", everyone made a good effort.

The time seemed to fly along, which is always a good sign, and I could hardly believe four hours had gone by when it came to an end. I think the instructors should be congratulated for putting on such an excellant course, which was very well planned and ran like clockwork throughout the afternoon. I am sure that all who attended will have gained a great deal from the course.

Mass Training Session

April 2008

This formula of a themed evening session, followed by a light supper at a local restaurant has proved very popular. Many thanks to all who organised and attended the events, on both occassions a great time was had by all.

This event organised by the teaching committee and the referees for the national competition was a most valuable opportunity to learn about competitive, fusion and compromise freestyle in readiness for the national competitions which will take place in September.

Students who attended received personal feedback on their approach to each kind of freestyle and had the chance to work on their fusion and competitive freestyle strategies with experienced blackbelts.

It was disappointing that only a small group of students were able to attend but those who came left inspired and encouraged to enter the national competition with confidence.

Many thanks to all the organisers and participants who made the event a most enjoyable experience

May Bank Holiday in Filey