30^th March 2010 Grading Results

Congratulations to the following students on their sucessful gradings
5th Kyu
Christian Chalmers
Joe Chalmers

December 2009 Grading Results

Congratulations to the following students on their sucessful gradings
5th Kyu
Jacob Greatrix
Tajinder Kalsi
Rob Lloyd

Sensei Peter Spanton kata course

Saturday 3rd October 2009
Saturday morning loomed cloudy and windy but this was no deterrent to the dozen students who turned up for the first of two days kata courses with Sensei Peter Spanton. We were again using the small gym at Cannock Chase High school.
After a few basics to get the bones into action and then some combinations to get the minds into gear we quickly moved on to kata.
We started with a formal Pinan Nidan but quickly moved on to bunkai for the first and last couple of combinations of the kata. Sensei explained in detail some of the possible attacks and defenses for both sets of combinations. We then moved on to Pinan Shodan.
Sensei then split us up into four groups, two groups of dan grades, a group of brown belts and a group of mixed lower grades.
My group (Bill Clewlow, Garry and Jeff Beattie) concentrated on the bunkai of Passai and as usual Sensei was always ready to add an incentive should any of us move too slowly away from an attack.
For the other dan grade group (Mick Harvey, Chris and Nick Kelly) and the brown belt group various aspects of Chinto and its Bunkai were covered by Sensei. From the initial blocks and the importance of what each hand was doing through to the multi-blocking and threats available in the central blocking set of the kata . Sensei also covered the bunkai to make each move a more realistic attack against the standard kata's defences and attacks.
All too soon and the time was almost gone, Sensei called us back into line for, as he put it “a little fun to finish off”. Pinan Shodan starting to the right, with the bunkai, kicks on all forward steps etc, etc, etc. Not sure pressups is my idea of fun! At the end of the kata we were told to then do it backwards but I don't think anyone managed to get back to the start.
Saurday evening saw a group of us gathering in one of the local hostelries before walking across town the the Chinese restaurant. A pleasant evening was had by all (in fact too pleasant for one person who missed the Sunday session – again!).
Sunday 4th October 2009
A 10am start this morning, but the weather had changed and it was bright and sunny. A smaller group this morning as it was brown and black belts only.
Once more we split up into groups to confine yesterdays work. The other groups continued the previous days work on Chinto. My group again working on the bunkai of Passai with sensei showing us yet more intricacies of the kata. A rather spirited session this morning for my group and the three of us were soon sweating heavily, possibly helped on by yet more incentives from Sensei. For the last half hour or so I practiced Higashi Yon with Sensei explaining some of the finer points in the first few moves. Garry and Jeff continued with the bunkai for last few moves of Passai.
All to soon the two hours was gone and we all thanked Sensei for yet another great training session. All we have to do now is remember and practice all that we've learned over the last two days.

Local Grading News

Congratulations to the following members on their sucessful gradings
1st Kyu
Chris Hood
6th Kyu
Christian Chalmers
Joe Chalmers

Grading News

Congratulations to Garry Beattie on his sucessful grading to Sandan and Chris Hession on his succesful grading to Shodan.
Well done to both of you

"Staffs Higashi Follows the Dog.....

Report by Chris Hood

Last Saturday (19th September) Mick Harvey organised a gentle cycle ride along the "Follow the dog" mountain bike route.For those of you who have not done "Follow the Dog", it is a purpose built, 7 mile mountain bike circuit of Cannock Chase. It starts at Birches Valley and climbs up to the visitors centre at Marquis Drive through various easy and occasionally technical cycling stages. It then decends back to Birches valley along some exciting down hill stages.

At the agreed start time of 10:30am, Mick, Garry Beattie, Dave Harrington and myself (Chris Hood) arrived at Birches Valley visitors centre. After unloading the bikes, first chore of the day was for me to fix a puncture (great!). Eventually we set of with Mick leading, Garry second, Dave third and me bringing up the rear.

Mick was cleary well at home weaving in and out of the trees, hopping over the smaller jumps and going almost flat out on most of the downhill stages.

Garry started off a little more tentatively, but that didn't last for too long. After a small (but tender!) spill early on he rediscovered just how much he used to enjoy cycling as a youngster and gave Mick a good run for his money!

Dave on the other hand was a lot more cautious and was happy just turning the pedals and grinding out the miles at a steadier pace, usually with me in tow!

As for me, I found the down hill stages quite daunting on a bike without suspension but had no problems negotiating the flatter and up hill sections.

All in all, the course took us a good couple of hours with a break for a cuppa at Marquis drive and a few short recovery breaks along the way.

After the event, we all agree it had been a fun few hours and that it would a good idea to do it again every so often. So if you fancy having a go next month, let us know.

Finally, a big thanks to Mick for organising the event. What's the next event Kimosabe?"

New Chief Instructor

Following the resignation of Alex Bell, your new chief instructor is Bill Clewlow.

Training time changes

Due to the decrease in size of the junior class, from Friday 7th August 2009 only one training session will be run from 7.30pm - 9.00pm
Juniors will be able to attend this session and have a choice of training for 1 hour as normal or staying for the full session.
Should class size increase in future then we will reconsider re-opening the junior class.

June 2009 Grading Results

6^th Kyu
Rob Lloyd

Grading Results

Congratulations to Kevin Hession on his recent sucessful grading to Shodan at Forest gate on Saturday 18^th March

Grading 31^st March 2009

Congratulatiions to the folowing students on their sucessful gradings.
7Th Kyu
Joe Chalmers
Christian Chalmers

Staffs Higashi Karate Kai Newsletter

Right Click here and choose Save Target As to download PDF copy of our latest Newsletter

Proposed 2009 Grading dates

All Tuesdays
31^st March, 30^th June, 29^th September, 15^th December

December 16th 2008 Grading results

Congratulations to the following students on their sucessful gradings
7th Kyu
Mark Ward
5th Kyu
Jacob Greatrix

Rivermead Competition results

Toby Millington got a first in the Kumite today after winning his 3 fights. Nick and Chris Kelley both got 3rds in the Kumite and Tristan Millington just missed out on a 3rd.
No luck in the Kata though

Children's Christmas party

This will be on Saturday 29^th November and will be a couple of games of bowls on Saturday afternoon in Stafford followed by a Chinese meal afterwards.
Get your names down if you're coming.

October 2008 Peter Spanton Course

Saturday 4th October 2008
2pm Saturday found a mixed bunch of students (age and grade) waiting to start a 3 hour course with sensei Peter Spanton. A slightly different venue for us this year, same school as last year but a different hall. Slightly smaller than last year but still cold on the cold and windy October afternoon. The session started with some basics to get the chill out of our bones and then some of sensei's mind blowing combinations that really get the brain and muscles into gear.
Then onto Pinan Yondan, singles, combinations and finally bunkai with impromptu attacks from the other students. We then progressed to Chinto, again singles combinations and bunkai. We then split up into groups to practice the bunkai of first part of Chinto with sensei showing us some advance bunkai. Then the class reformed for some kushanku practice. Finally some more of sensei's combinations but with the added complication of being only one step from the person in front and behind and anyone being able to initiate the combination. The idea being that we should sense any movement from the person behind and move forward out of harms way into out own combination, hopefully catching the person in front. The reality being getting hit in the back by the person behind!
Saturday evening saw the adults gathering in a local pub for a drink before moving across the the China Garden for our usual chinese meal. With good company, good food and reasonable(?) wine a good evening was had by all. At the end of the meal some of the more sensible of the group retired to their beds while the rest went to hit the bars for "one last drink!".
Sunday 5th October
11am Sunday morning was a "drink too far" for some students who never made the Sunday session. Of those that turned up some were a little bit more "tired" than others but did at least turn up early unlike a certain couple who strolled in (just on time!) after the session had started (but who of course will remain nameless).
Sunday's session was devoted to Passai, following the same sequence of singles combinations and finally bunkai. As on Saturday we split into groups to practice the bunkai of the early part of the kata. Once again sensei introduced us to some advance bunkai to parts of the kata. It only seemed like a very short time before sensei had to say that it was 12.30 already, where did that 1 1/2 hours go?
Thanks to sensei Peter Spanton for an excellent weekends training. All we have to do now is remember what we were taught.

Gradings

The next two gradings are scheduled for Tuesday 30th Sept and Tuesday 16th Dec.
We've had to squeeze these in a bit so unfortunately anyone who passes in September will not have the required time in to grade in December.

July 5^th/6^th Sensei Sakagami course

Saturday

Sunday

July 2nd 2008

Congratulations to the following students on their successfull gradings
8th Kyu
Mark Ward
7th Kyu
Jacob Greatrix
Toby Millington

Just received new that one of out former students Rhys Saunders (was Brown) has been awarded his 1st Dan. Rhys moved away from the area but continued his training with another club in his local area. Congratulations and well done to Rhys from all at Staffs Higashi.

Toya Kan Karate

News from Paul Butterfield of competition success for his club in Australia. Toya Kan competition report

June 18th 2008 Tuesday Junior training session

Due to lack of support for the Tuesday junior training session, as of July, these sessions will stop.
Juniors who wish to train may still come along at 8pm and train with the seniors.
We usually have enough Dan grades training to be able to split the class if necessary

April 13^th Higashi Nationals - results

Congratulations to both Chris and Nick Kelly who both came back with medals in the kumite.
Chris won a silver in his division and Nick a bronze in his.

April 1^st 2008 Grading results

Congratulations to the following students on their successful gradings
8th Kyu
Jacob Greatrix
Rob Lloyd
6th Kyu
Sam Kings
5th Kyu
Frasier Kings
Callum Mitchell

New Dan Grade

Congratulations to Nick Kelly on his sucessful grading to Shodan.

December 11^th 2007 Grading results

Congratulations to the following students on their successful gradings
8th Kyu
Toby Millington (student of the grading award)
6th Kyu
James Cooper
Josh Greatrix
Nathan Pugh
5th Kyu
Lizzie Hession
2nd Kyu
Chris Hood
Kresia Hood (assessment)
Channelle Trantor
1st Kyu
Gary Free

Staffs Higashi Karate Kai, Sensei Peter Spanton 2 day course.

Saturday 3rd November 2007
A new dojo for us today as our normal dojo is not available. Not sure what to expect from the facilities but as always we're looking forward to a session with Sensei Peter Spanton with a mixture of anticipation and dread (who'll be doing the first press up ? if pressed I might name names!)
17 students of all grades from Staffs Higashi and 4 students from the Stratton club turned up for the saturday session. The hall was huge (and cold) but Sensei started us off with a few basics to get a bit of warmth into the bones (we were all very surprised when the first kiai of the day echoed for what seemed forever around the huge hall).
We then practiced pinan nidan and sensei demonstrated (with Alex as his attacker) that although we tend to concentrate on an attack from the left for the first move there might just be an attacker from the front (I swear I heard Alex's teeth rattle as his chin came into contact with sensei's elbow). After practicing pinan shodan we were split into various groups for the major part of the afternoon. The groups were made up of similar grades and while the juniors were practicing pinan sandan other were doing the bunkai to pinan shodan, while other were practicing chinto, with the dan grades concentrating on the Higashi katas. As ever sensei was everywhere explaining points to everyone and correcting various mistakes. All to soon the session was nearly at an end. But when sensei called us to line up for a 'last blast' we guessed we were in for some mind boggling exercises. Sure enough, various kata, starting to the right, kicks on all forward steps etc, etc, etc. There were time when certain people (no names) were sure they were right and the rest of us were wrong and times when all of us were almost certainly wrong. All in all an enjoyable end to an enjoyable session.

Saturday evening a few of us went out with Peter and Sue for a Chinese meal. The meal was delicious and the company excellent and most people retired to a fairly early bed in readiness for Sunday's morning session.

Sunday �4th November.
Fewer students at this session as it was brown/black belts only. Once again we were split up into various groups. The brown belts practicing kushanku, one group of dan grades were working on the bunkai for bassai while another dan grade group worked on bunkai for Higashi san and then moved on to practice Higashi yon. Once again sensei and Sue were everywhere giving advice and pointing out some of the finer points of the bunkai. All too soon the session was at an end and it was time to say our goodbyes until the next time. All of the students who participated have commented on much they appreciated and have benefited from the individual attention given to them during the sessions.
Once again thanks to Sensei for an excellent 2 days.

25^th September Grading

Congratulations to the following students on their successful gradings -
7th Kyu
Jacob Massey
Nathan Pugh
6th Kyu
Callum Mitchell

19^th June Grading

Congratulations to the following students on their successful gradings -
8th Kyu
Jacob Massey
Nathan Pugh
7th Kyu
Mark Jones
Cameron Keeling

Rivermead competition 3^rd march 2007

Congratulations to the following students -
Chris Kelly - first in Kumite (BOYS 145-160cm BBP KUMITE)
Megan Kings - first in Kata (BOYS/GIRLS 7-6^th KYU KATA)
Well done to everyone else who took part.

New Dan grades

Congratulations to Chris Kelly and Mick Harvey on achieving their Shodans
After 2 hours of training in a very hot and sweaty dojo on saturday afternoon followed by the grading, both Chris and Mick were awarded their Shodans by Sensei Peter Spanton.

Claire Attwood 1^st dan

Congratulations to Claire on achieving her Shodan
After a weeks training at Ogwen Bank followed by a hard grading in the heat of friday afternoon, Claire was awarded her 1st dan by Sensei Peter Spanton.
After all of the hard work Claire has put in she performed an excellent grading (even under the added pressure of having Peter Spanton 'in her face' for part of the grading) and her 1st dan was well deserved.

HKK Competition 29^th April 2006

Congratulations to Staffs Higashi members for the following competition results
Jon Lefevre 1st (kumite)
Chris Kelly 3rd(kumite)

Team Kata 3rd

Lizzie Hession 4th(kata)

Staffs Higashi Karate Kai March 2006 Newsletter

Right Click here and choose Save Target As to download PDF copy of our Newsletter

Paul Campbell Competition Sunday 12th Feb 2006

Congratulations to Jon Leferve and Chris and Nick Kelly for coming first in the Team Kata category at the weekend. Well done lads!

British Junior Open Championships

Four of our students were in the Higashi squad that competed in the British Junior Open Championships at Crystal Palace on January 21^st/22^nd.
Those competing were Aaron Beese, Lewis Butterfield, Chris Kelly and Jon Lefevre.
Jon Lefevre won bronze in the 10-11 years (-38kg) category and Lewis Butterfield (in his last appearance before emigrating to America) won silver in 12-13 years teens (-65Kg) category.

Mike Harris, in his report on the competition, extends his thanks to Paul Butterfield and his family for their support and I'm sure we all echo that sentiment.

Sunday 20^th November Mushindo Competition results

Jon Levfre Bronze individual Kumite

Chris Kelly Silver Team Kumite
Nick Kelly Silver team Kumite
Jon Levfre Silver team Kumite

Well done to everyone that attended what turned out to be a rather rough competition.
Apparently there were 4 ambulances called and numerous people were stretchered off.

Saturday 5^th Nov Higashi Nationals

Aaron Beese Gold Kumite
Alex Hewitt Gold Kumite
Chris Kelly Gold Kumite
John Levfre Silver Kata
Lewis Butterfield Silver Kumite
John Levfre Bronze Kumite

Especially well done to Alex Hewitt for a gold medal in his first competition!!

Sunday 6^th Nov BUKA Nationals on invitation by the England Coach

Lewis Butterfield Silver Individuals
Aaron Beese Bronze Individuals
Lewis and Aaron team 15 to 17 Team year olds Silver

Kumite Gold For Aaron Beese

Congratulations Aaron and the rest of the Higashi junior Squad on their splendid results at the Carlow Open.

Squad Selections

Lewis Butterfield and Aaron Beese have been selected to go to Carlow Ireland on October 2^nd. Lewis and Aaron have been selected for English Open Championships in Sept and Lewis, Aaron and Chris Kelly have been selected for British Open Championships also on September 24^th all for Higashi National squad.

30th March 2010 Grading Results