Abertillery Aikido Club. Bushinkai.

January 2009

09.01.09

The Dojo has opened with strong attendance, which is appreciated. We would like to Welcome Tony, who has joined the ranks and already paid his SGT membership. I'm sure we can accommodate his ambition to gain Shodan before or on his 65th Birthday. I would also like to congratulate Dai, who passed his 3rd Kyu Weapons test with flying colours! A ten minute grading will take some beating!

February

07.02.09

If you are interested in buying any of the cheap Aikido books I sent via email, please log in to the forum. The order will be sent off on the morning of Friday the 13th of Feb.


March

04.03.09

Congratulations to Tony, for passing his 6th Kyu examination.

22.03.09

A new set of photos have been added to the Club Photos page. Nominations for the club committee, end before practice on Thursday the 28th of March. Please ensure you get your name on the sheet before start of practice that night. Any ballots will take place during the short break half way through that nights practice. The new committee will be announced at the end of practice. All new candidates will take up their posts by the end of April, 2009.

April

02.04.09

Congratulations to Lewis, for passing his 5th Kyu Examination. The panel were really pleased with what they saw. We were encouraged with the progress he has made over the last few months, and hope it continues!

03.04.09

Dear Members,

As the newly elected Chairman, I am calling the AGM, which will take place following next Thursday nights practise session (Thurs 9th April), at the Bridgend Pub, Cwmtillery.The AGM will be a chance to announce the elected members of the new club committee, and for them to take on certain duties with reference to the running of the club and the forthcoming course in May, featuring Sensei's Puffet & Marchant. It will also be a chance for members who are interested in the running of the club to discuss issues which affect them, or just to find out how the club is being run.I will be liaising with the committee over items for the Agenda, which will be e-mailed to everyone prior to the meeting. The club is, and has always been run for the benefit of the members. However, this does require active participation. I do not expect every member to be present, but if you have an issue to raise and you cannot attend, please can you e-mail me ahead of the meeting.

N.B. I have also posted this message on the Forum, so if this message does fail to reach anyone’s mailbox, there should still be a fair chance of you being notified.

Kind regards,

Andrew Pugh

Chairman
Abertillery Aikido Club. Bushinkai.

08.04.09

We would all like to extend a welcome to Adrian and Mike, who have just joined the club. As you know, Adrian use to practice many years ago, and has decided to kick start his Aikido career again. During his previous practice history, Adrian was never graded. Both Andrew and I looked at Adrian, and decided to award him 3rd Kyu, as an interim grade. I very much hope both enjoy their training in the Dojo.

09.04.09

The first Annual General Meeting took place, with the new committee. I would like to advise everything went smoothly. Minutes will be available shortly.

May

18.05.09

As with all course's, ours has come and gone in a flash! I would like to extend my thanks to Simon & Justin Sensei's, for taking time to come down to Wales and Instruct us. I also want to give a big thanks for everyone who turned up to support the Dojo & the Seminar. The evening social went very well, and something which will be done again in the future. Finally my own personal thank you for all the behind the scenes people who have spent a lot of time working on the bits that no one else normally see's!

June

11.06.09

Congratulations to Mark, who was put through his 4th Kyu Examination. Mark did very well under the circumstances. As with all recent gradings, this was sprung upon him without notice.

24.06.09

Some club members will be taking part in the Aberfest in Abertillery on Saturday morning. This demonstration is to try and encourage more local people to train in the Dojo. If you have any spare time on Saturday morning, even if it's to hand out leaflets, please take part.

27.06.09

I would like to thank the members, who were able to attend the Demo, which was staged in Church Street, in Abertillery. I think everyone had a good time!

July

09.07.09

Everyone would like to congratulate Neil on passing his 4th Kyu Examination. As with all the recent gradings, it was sprung on him, without his knowledge of it taking place. I am very pleased with everyone's progress. Keep it up!

August

28.08.09

The Dojo will be closed for a week, due to club members attending the Shin Gi Tai Summer School. No emails will be answered until the 4th of September.

September

12.09.09

I have already published a quick newsletter for this month. I will now start on a more comprehensive document, detailing the time we were away in Burry Port. I will also publish all the photos taken. I obviously want to congratulate both Andrew & Ian for taking part in the Dan gradings. Andrew was successful, but Ian will need to do a retake at the Easter course. Both did very well and were excellent ambassadors for the Dojo, as were all the other members who took part in the week long course. I cannot stress the importance of attending Summer School! It is an opportunity, not only to train for a week, but to meet other people. Please try and think about attending next years.

November

02.11.09

The club has successfully hosted another course with Puffett Sensei. I'm sure everyone would like to join me, in thanking Puffett Sensei for taking the time to come down and teach us. He left us with many things to think about over the coming months and years! We will look forward to seeing him in January for his final course in the UK. To read the full write up on the NZ website.
Please click here

12.11.09

We finally decided to put Dai through his 3rd Kyu grading. Due to his lack of hours, he has stayed at the 4th Kyu level for sometime now. His grading went very well, and did not hesitate to promote him to 3rd Kyu. Well done.

December

10.12.09

I am glad to announce, Bill has been awarded his Hakama. As with many unwritten rules of the club. He is only allowed to wear it within the club. Any external course's, he would need to train without it. Unless he has been given permission to do so. As many of you know, Bill has joined us from another Aikido Orgainsation. As his current grade is 1st Kyu, he is still under a probationary period, until his club licence is signed by the Dojo-Cho, and given certification for that grade.