Please support this event as much as you can. The TSD Union is attempting to get some publicity via Combat magazine etc. They have invited them to attend/send a representative.

The Details are:

Date: Saturday 25th February
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Venue: Nunnery Wood Sports Centre, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NL

Cost: £5.00 pp

The subjects to be covered will be:-

Self Defence, Weapons law in/of UK & Human body and it’s vulnerability, Yuk Ro, Fighting Techniques, Kicking Techniques, Knife Hyung

Joan is organising this event for charity. She has between 12 and 14 different styles training on the day.

In Joan’s words, “I have some great Instructors coming along so it will be a fantastic day.”

View the event poster:

as a pdf

as an image

For more information email Joan Connor at
shotokan.tigers@hotmail.co.uk

Our family have been regular visitors at the childrens hospital in Bristol for the last 9 years. When my mum told me about a charity abseil for the grand appeal I wanted to do it to help the people who saved my brothers life on many occasions.

I thought it would be easy, but when I got to the top it was a different story!! It was so high! I was on the verge of giving up but thought i couldnt let myself, Dyl or the hospital down.

Mum said she would come with me, so I went for it.  I was terrified! I lay down on my stomach and slowly lowered myself over the edge. As I cried and sobbed my way down the building, I could hear the people below cheering me on, and mum was next to me telling me she was proud.  When I got to the bottom I was so proud of myself, must have been my Tang Soo Do spirit   I can’t wait to do it again next year!
 
Ashleigh Hughes
 

Bradley Stoke Club

In July this year Dragon Tang Soo Do entered a raffle to win sponsorship of the Cadbury Heath Youth Football team. Kristie Evans and Jamie Prideaux were offered the chance for the Kingswood Club to sponsor the team exclusively but decided that it would be more beneficial to enter as an association. There were 40 raffle tickets for sale for a price of £25 each, and it didn’t take Master White much convincing to get involved! So with a one in 40 chance of winning, and the raffle some time away, all was forgotten about it until Kristie received the exciting phonecall to congratulate us on being the new sponsors!

The sponsorship deal will last for the whole of the football season and will act as fantastic advertising for the whole association. Kristie has created leaflets containing information about Tang Soo Do as well as links to the website and contact details. These have been passed on to the club manager to hand out to enquiring parents and children. Hopefully they will assist in gaining us all some new students over the course of the year! The club sometimes appear in local newpapers thus giving us wider broadcasting, and we will be featured on their website when it is up and running.

I’m sure you will join us in wishing them the very best for the upcoming season.

As you can see, they are looking very smart in their Dragon Tang Soo Do strips!

After an epic 6.5 hour drive we met up with our fellow warriors at the campsite and proceeded to put up the tent in wet and soggy surroundings. This was overlooked by the smug group of happy campers in the campervan! We had the last laugh though as 16 of us shoe horned our way in for the team talk later on in the evening!

Morning of the event started off with bacon sarnies and inevitable rain, but that didn’t dampen our spirits, and after a quick group photo we headed off to the middle of nowhere!! Quickly got signed in, tattooed, and tagged, and looked on in horror at the muddy soaking wet competitors who were arriving back looking slightly worse for wear and telling horror stories of hanging off cliff edges! Our time was soon called so we headed off to the starting point, wished our team mates well before nearly choking to death on yellow smoke! Ran blindly to the top of the hill and as the smoke cleared, I could see bodies flying down the hill, taking people out on their way down like skittles, it became apparent to me, that we were in fact quite mad!

Over the next 6 miles, we proceeded to run through fire pits, climb over 7′ walls, swim through streams, dunk our heads under the most repugnant smelling water imaginable, crawl through tunnels filled with cow dung and such delights, climbed over cargo nets, jumped through tyres, waded through swampy water, crawled under nets through mud, climbed over hay bale mountains, got mildly electrocuted, and a whole other amount of demoralising obstacles, only to be redeemed by the foamy slide near the end………now that I could have gone on all day!! Best picture of the day has to be Steve’s face at the bottom!

Rob Garlicki was the first of the ‘top guns’ to cross the finish line in a fantastic 1.04, followed by Scott  1.07, Jamie 1.19, Matt Moriarty 1.36. Aaron 1.37, Ben 1.50, Steve 1.51, Rob Burgin 1.51, Chris 1.58, myself 1.58, Tris 2.21, Matt Ball 2.21, and Lauren made it to 9k but sadly didn’t make it over the line due to asthma. Well done guys x

After showers and a quick nap from me, we headed over to che’ Tris for a much deserved BBQ, had a great night, made me pleased to be part of such a friendly group of people, had lots of laughs, and no sore heads in the morning which was a bonus! (Don’t worry Aaron, what goes on in the lakes, stays in the lakes!! ) Headed home on Sunday after goodbye’s and promises of doing the 10mile next year!

I’m really proud of the team raising over £600 for Little bridge house Children’s hospice. I have been going to Little bridge for family respite breaks for the last 7 years, and I can’t begin to describe to you how deserving this charity is of the money raised. It really is a fantastic place, and such a lifeline to so many families. The atmosphere is one of happiness, quite an achievement considering the nature of it, just shows what a fantastic job everyone is doing there. There is still time to sponsor us, just click on the link below, would be most appreciated xx

Jenny Hughes, Bradley Stoke Club

http://www.justgiving.com/top-guns

As an instructor I’m very conscious of my students desire to grade for their next belt or tag. Yes; some desire it more than others. However, there’s no escaping the fact that this is a shared responsibility. I thought it might be useful to share some thoughts about how students and instructors seem to prepare for the grading process and the emotional turmoil that seems to ensue, either in the run up or in the aftermath.

One of the things I try to instil in my students is to concentrate on the grading syllabus and try to increase the work rate, whether that be practicing more at home or attending other classes to supplement the training they are doing now. The importance of this approach is in building muscle memory and confidence so that you can recall and demonstrate the necessary techniques and tools without hesitation or having that horrible loss of confidence in, suddenly, not being able to remember something.

Muscle memory is a wonderful thing! It’s hard to put your finger on it exactly if you were to try and explain it. However, everyone knows what it feels like to do something and it just feels right, instinctive. What most people don’t appreciate is it takes a huge amount of effort and repetition for something to become effortless. Just consider how natural it feels to get out of a chair and walk around. Effortless, I’m sure you will agree. Now consider the amount of dedication and time it took for you to learn to stand and to walk without stumbling, falling or bumping into things. As soon as you became conscious, as a child, that everyone else was walking on two legs (ignoring those around you of another species) and they being able to get around more efficiently than you, (still on all fours carrying a potentially full nappy), you made a conscious decision to try and stand. If you had tried and failed once and then gave up, you’d still be there now; but no! Even though it felt odd, strange or just plain wrong you persevered and kept trying. You emulated those around you, you repeated things that worked and modified those that didn’t and in the end you succeeded. Now consider how alien your Tang Soo techniques felt when you first started and how a low block now seems effortless. Repetition!

Now, for many, repetition is not sexy! (some even practice something once then take the path of least effort (having a chat) rather than continue to practice over and over again). How great is it, though, to do something you couldn’t do before? One of my favourite sayings is that anything worth having is worth working for. I do sometimes get concerned that some students don’t train as often as I think they should, or seem unwilling to ramp up the effort. I have to remind myself that they have to have the desire to progress through the ranks and they may have made a conscious decision that the amount they train now is the optimum available. Therefore, progression will be slower. As long as theare fine with this and I fulfil my responsibility to check and keep pushing them as much as I can, then I’ve fulfilled my responsibility. Though saying that, if a student starts to complain that they should be grading and I am responsible for them not being ready! Be ready to justify your comments.

It is a reality in Tang Soo, the more you progress the more you have to remember. It’s called accumulated knowledge and skills. This was one of the reasons you started in the first place! If someone really wants to grade and progress, the options available are far greater than many seniors ever had available to them whilst we were coming up through the ranks. There are Classes held within a small area pretty much every day of the week, seminars, competitions, social gatherings, a web site with resources available and a manual (albeit incomplete for now, it’s still a reference aid) for what reason aren’t you using these? I get many students from other clubs train at my class, especially when the grading season is upon us. They’re doing the right thing (not because it’s my class); they’re increasing the amount of repetitions.

So far I haven’t really mentioned the instructors, the reason being is that is applies to them also! They owe it to themselves to continue to develop and for their challenging things to become less of an effort. Just pause for a moment to think about how long someone must train to become a black belt, now consider the commitment it takes to start a club and build/maintain it over many years. Whilst they’re doing that, their students are progressing. If they don’t continue to push themselves, one day their students will catch up with them and they will no longer be able to train them in preparation for their next grade, as they won’t know it themselves. How sad and flawed is it that people have invested years, personal commitment, personal sacrifice and effort over many years to find that the very students they have nurtured and invested a large portion of themselves in, now have to train with another instructor, become that other instructor’s student for grading purposes.

We are a strong society of martial artists! We have some of the best instructors that I have ever known! We have some of the best students ever! However, for us to maintain this we need to prepare and push ourselves to grade and develop. We have to build repetition into our lives as essentially as water.

You owe it to yourselves to get the most out of training as possible and you can only get out of it what you put in. Your instructor will do their best; they owe it to you and themselves to do their best. You only have to look after yourself in the first instance; your instructor has to look after themselves and every student that turns up to train!

Are you prepared to grade? You may well be. Just remember that as you progress the rewards become greater. However, if you want something of value be prepared to work for it, over and over again.
I know, soon to be Master (without a doubt in my mind), Mark Hillier has an interest in ancient Samurai sayings and history and he would utter the words, “the more we sweat in practice, the less we bleed in battle”. If you want your grading to go well and to appear to all as though it was almost effortless then ….. practice, practice, practice!

Yours in Tang Soo

Master Jon Ward

Step up and try ZUMBA a latin American Dance-fitness programme that blends Red Hot Latin music and contagious easy to follow steps to form a fun and effective way to burn off about 1,000 Calories! For people of all shapes, sizes and ages. So ditch the work out, and come and join the party.

The session will be held at Bailey’s Court School, Bradley Stoke on Friday 17th June, starts at 7.30pm.

Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water and a smile!

Please let Gill Hampton or Liz Moriarty know if you are interested as places are limited 40 maximum.

If you don’t know how to contact Gill of Liz email me, Ron – address at the bottom of the page, and I will forward to them.

Members of DTSD are taking part in the “Total Warrior Weekend” being held at Shap Abbey, in the Lake District, on 6th August 2011. It is one of the toughest 10k events which also has 20x obstacles to test their ultimate Strength, Stamina, Agility and Mental Determination to finish….it’s all about survival not speed!

So far there are over 1,300 entrants in the competition. Who dares wins!

Visit www.totalwarrior.co.uk to see what they are letting themselves in for….

Please Support your “Top Gun” team who have accepted the challenge, and are hoping to triumph in the struggle to raise funds to sustain vital services for Little Bridge House, Fremington, Barnstaple, Devon – which supports extremely sick children and their families by providing respite care. Despite the serious nature of their work, the staff make it a joyful place to visit, filled with love and laughter. Their motto is “Making the most of short and precious lives”.

www.chsw.org.uka

DTSD Team Members are:

• Chris White
• Jenny Hughes
• Jamie Leggett
• Matt Ball
• Rob Burgin
• Steve Sollars
• Rob Garlicki
• Scott Appleby
• Matt Moriarty
• Aaron Duffner
• Tristan Butler
• Lauren Small
• Ben Phipps
• Sophie Graham

Update 16 June 2011

The following satement has been issued by the “Grand Appeal” Office…..

“I’m very sorry to say that the Grand Descent Abseil has had to be postponed. The Abseil due to take place on 18th & 19th June has regrettably been postponed due to nesting seagulls on the roof of Bristol Children’s Hospital. The nesting seagulls and their young recently moved to the rooftop abseil area and  there is a significant risk of the seagulls attacking participants during their descent to protect their young. Legally, the gulls cannot be removed due to wildlife protection laws.

The Grand Descent Abseil will now take place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September 2011 when the seagulls will no longer be nesting at the site and we hope that you will be able to join us then instead. We are very sorry to postpone such a fantastic event at this short notice but people’s safety comes first and we cannot take any risk in this area. We are looking forward to the event happening in September and to your continued support of the Grand Appeal. On the bright side, the postponement does give more people the chance to take part and help raise thousands of pounds for Bristol Children’s Hospital & the Special Care Baby Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.”

All DTSD Members are still hoping to participate. Due to the commitments with the DTSD Open Championships, the best date would probably be Sunday 18th September. However, this is to be discussed with the Team as our “Descent” has been held open indefinately. I for one would prefer to do this sooner rather than later, as people have pledged their support.

Update 12 June 2011

11x Members of DTSD and a few friends will be leaping off the Top of the Bristol Childrens Hospital on Sunday 19th June to raise funds for the ” Grand Appeal”. Please feel free to come along and support them on the day, or sponsor them on line on their just.giving pages. All Donations Gratefully recieved.

Submitted by Gill Hampton

Gill is going to participate and is looking for others to join her or to give moral support.

The event takes place on 18th and 19th June 2011

Please contact Gill if you want to take part: gill.hampton@blueyonder.co.uk

A Just Giving account has been set up for donations to the team that are going to be hanging out with Gill.

www.justgiving.com/teams/DTSD

Quote from the event organiser:

“Thank you for your interest in taking part in the Grand Descent Abseil to support Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Special Care Baby Unit and to help us celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Children’s Hospital in style!

All you need to do to take part is to complete the enclosed registration form and consent form and return both forms to the above address along with your non-refundable registration fee of £20.

Once received, we will allocate a time and date for your Abseil and return your confirmation to you, along with sponsor forms and a fundraising guide, and information about the day.

Thank you once again for your kind support of Bristol Children’s Hospital and St Michael’s Special Care Baby Unit.

Lauren Vincent

Fundraising Manager”

More information at www.grandappeal.org.uk

Hello Master Rossiter.
Thank you for speaking to DTSD NEWSWIRE other wise known as Nosey Parkers INC.

I’m sure many of you will agree it was an honour to see Master Rossiter
presented with her Master’s Certificate at the DTSD Awards Ceremony last year,
after all the hard work and dedication she has put into our Martial Art.

We’ll start with the most obvious Question…..

When did you start training in Tang Soo Do and at what age?

1992, I was 12.

How would you describe yourself?

Particular (fussy), not much of an imagination unfortunately, but I am honest,
trustworthy, friendly and enjoy a good moan!

Name one thing you are really passionate about?

TSD

Do you have any Pets, if so what are there names?

2 dogs, Loki (the polar bear) he’s a Northern Inuit and Nanook is a Siberian Husky.

What made you take up Martial arts in the first place?

My brother and sister started first, I just tagged along.

You’ve recently become a DTSD Master. What does this mean to you?

A special achievement, very proud.

We know you don’t behave yourself… So, what’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done?
I think I might regret asking this question!

Oh brilliant, the naughtiest in Tang Soo is really bad.
Me and my sister (Connie, name and shame here) were training one night and couldn’t be bothered,
didn’t really want to be there, so during class, my sister pretended to be ill and I suggested it be best to take her home,
brilliant, we laughed all the way home cus it was terrible what we had done.
Funny thing is the instructor thought she was pregnant! ha ha. Best of all we were both Dan grades
- we should have known better!(secrets revealed).

I think Charlie looked suitably contrite about what she’d done.

What about your most embarrassing moment, or aren’t you telling?

Funny how we always forget these but I do remember walking the dogs over
fields and Nanook cocked his leg and went to the toilet on someone’s kit bag! It was on the field during rugby training.
ha ha. Totally embarrassing.

What are your future goals?

I’m terrible at goal setting, so nothing at the moment, just take it as it comes.

What makes you happy?

Family, friends and socialising.

How difficult has it been juggling all the DTSD commitments, such as
training, teaching classes, being an examiner at gradings and judging at competitions, with your family commitments?

I’m very lucky as Mark has a massive role in Tang Soo too so its not too bad.
Oliver spends a lot of time with me during the week so sometimes its nice to be involved in other things with Tang Soo.
Just need to rely on babysitters, which is hard.

We know you have done Tang Soo Do for many years. Have you tried any other different
Styles and what rank did you obtain?

I started Panthers Kickboxing in 1998 (I think) I really enjoyed it
and went through the ranks and eventually got my Black Belt.

What is your favourite form or Hyung?

I don’t have a favourite, depends on my mood at the time.
I enjoy all Hyungs but probably dislike Nianchi most.

Is there anything you feel you could improve on?

My jump kicks are pants.

If you had to conduct a Seminar what would it be on?

Pad work and fitness.

What is the worst job you have ever had to do?

Washing the dog after he’d been rolling in cow poo… not nice!

What’s your most favourite Bristol Saying?

Proper, get gutted

One thing you couldn’t live without?

Oliver.

What do you look for in a student?

Effort, willing to try.

What would be your best single piece of advice be for students?

Try hard and have fun.

What do you dislike to see?

Laziness and ignorance

What are your pet hates?

Liars

You’ve won absolutely loads of competitions. Which is your most memorable and why?

It was when I won 3rd place for Bong Hyung E Bu (2nd Bo form).
It was the first competition I ever won for Hyungs, and the best thing is there were
Dan grades in the category too and there were 17 Competitors. I can’t remember the competition though
but I know exactly what trophy it was. It was one of the World Tang Soo ones and I’m sure it was a Cambridge one.
(I’ll have to go in loft to dig out trophy!)

Do you have any
for students competing in the future?

‘Your time will come’ – I never won anything for years, even now I walk away with nothing.
Stephen Chamberlain always said, ‘There is always someone better than you’, and he is sooooo right …….

If you were best friends with Superman, what would you do?

Fly!

I hope you’ve all enjoyed this interview?

I did ask Master Rossiter who she would like to see interviewed next; but I think it’s been left up to me to surprise you. Watch this space!