Ms Jackie Kenning (3rd Degree)
I have been training and Tae Kwon-Do for over 10 years and hold a 3rd Dan Black Belt in ITF Tae-Kwon Do. I’ve been teaching Tae Kwon-Do to children and adults of mixed ability for 5 years.
Mr Andy Taylor (3rd Degree)
I have been training and various martial arts for over 25 years, and Tae Kwon-Do for over 15 years and hold a 3rd Dan Black Belt in ITF Tae-Kwon Do. I have over a decade of experience in the security industry, working as a door supervisor in a variety of clubs during the 1980’s and 90’s.
I’ve won a number of national competitions, winning patterns, destruction and sparring when I was actively competing in Tae Kwon-Do tournaments, and also sparring (semi contact/light continuous) in Freestyle competitions.
Mr Ian Smith (3rd Degree)
There I was, at the age of 41½ daydreaming about not being the Pillsbury doughboy, on my way to an uninspiring session at the gym and I was intrigued to see that a new class had started up in the studio. Mr Bertrand had set up a 10 week class at the gym to attract new recruits to Tae Kwon Do.
Never heard about Tae Kwon Do; I had heard of many others but I knew nothing about this Korean martial Art.
“Give it a go” I thought to myself and found myself drawn in from the beginning, despite getting punched in the face by an equally green member from the gym who had come along to try.
Nothing’s changed, I still get punched in the face, but I have graduated to 3rd Dan black belt.
The point about my abiding interest in TKD is an unremarkable upbringing;
- Never had a fight since junior school
- Never bullied in my life
- Relatively fit but never motivated to do more than necessary
However, and these are the most important aspects of my 10 year association with TKD
- I lacked confidence
- I was inexperienced in social situations
- I was unsettled in most environments
Since beginning I have realised what a difference training has made. I have no problem with challenging situations, I am more relaxed in any environment than at any time previously, I enjoy meeting a challenge and most importantly I love passing on this experience to anyone who will listen.
What I have found with Tae Kwon Do is that developing your interest is only a fragment of what you will get from it; put in 100% effort, you will get 120% back.
Any regrets? Only one – I should have started 30 years ago!
Mr Gregory Machin (1st Degree)
I started martial arts at the age of 7 when my parents took me to my first karate class. From that moment I fell in love with it and decided that I wanted to "Be a Black Belt".
This particular ambition was to take me 30 years to achieve. I studied several different martial arts for the next 20 or so years including Karate, Aikido and Wing Chun.
As a direct result of my career choice (Musician in the British Army) I found that I would get to a reasonable level in a club and then be reassigned to another area meaning that I would have to leave that style and start again somewhere else.
In 2003 having tried out a local Jiu Jitsu club (and deciding it really wasn't for me) I saw a flyer for the local Taekwon-Do club and joined it the following wednesday. I had reached blue belt when I was once again moved to another region but for the first time I was able to continue my training in another club of the same style.
In 2008 Having finally achieved my lifelong ambition to wear a black belt I also learned the vital lesson that goes with it: Wearing a black belt does not mean that you are now "good", in fact it truly marks the beginning of your journey. Moreover, it is the journey that is important and not the destination!
