It has been a tough year for most and all we can do is hope that 2021 is kinder to us all.

Thank you to all the instructors, big thanks to Lisa, Natalie and Julia for the online classes and thankyou to you all for supporting them.

We will obviously keep you informed of any changes and look forward to when we can all get together again.

Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and a much better 2021

Barbara xx

Due to the news of the second lockdown beginning on Thursday 5th, the club will sadly close again after the class on Wednesday 4th November. Thank you to you all for your support during these difficult times. We hope as everyone does that we can open again from Wednesday December 2nd. Take care everyone.

1st class is at 8pm-9pm tonight. Also, Thursday 8pm-9pm and Sunday mornings at 11am- 12noon

All welcome.

Please ensure you have read the guidelines before attending the class.

Many thanks, hope to see you later!

Barbara

The British Aikido Board (BAB) is working to a 4 stage strategy to allow us to return to aikido training.

We are now allowed to move to stage 2 enabling us to practice non contact activities such as exercises, Ukemi and Jo and Boken work.

In order to do this safely please read the guidelines below:

Enter the club by the normal reception entrance where your temperature will be taken.

Please do not attend if showing any symptoms or have a cough/cold.

You will be required to provide contact details for test and trace and to fill in an “opt in” form.

Please come ready changed as changing rooms will be out of use at the moment. Hakamas can be put on in the

reception area.

Spectators are not allowed to wait in the reception area. The entrance door will be locked during practice.

Sanitizer will be provided to be used before and after the session.

There will be a one way system so you will exit the dojo from the exit door at the bottom.

A sweat towel is permitted to be kept in your own bag with outdoor shoes which will be taken on the mat with you to be left in your own section of the mat.

Please bring your own weapons which can be sanitized after use.

The timetable is obviously restricted at the moment and sadly we can only welcome students of 16+ years.

The date we are starting is Tuesday September 8th Class at 8pm-9pm

Thursday 8pm-9pm

Sunday 11am-12noon.

This has been a long time coming but hopefully this is a step in the right direction.

Looking forward to seeing you all

Barbara

The British Aikido Board (BAB) have advised us that at last we can start some Aikido training, although for the moment not as we’re used to.

We are allowed mobility and stretching exercises, Aikido footwork practice, as in Tai Sabaki etc and Ukemi. Weapons work is also allowed (bring your own weapons if you can)

The times that we are considering are one hour sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays at 8pm and Sunday morning at 11am.

The classes would obviously be open to all grades including beginners and students aged 16 and over.

It would be helpful to know how you all feel about returning to the noncontact practice that is permitted by the BAB and so if you would let us know please by commenting on the facebook page or emailing bmoss@phoenix-aikido.co.uk.

If the classes go ahead guidelines will be issued later.

Apologies to all my junior students, we must wait a little longer for guidance as to when we can resume our practice.

Many thanks,

Barbara

Please read the following carefully in order to ensure the smooth running of the club and keep us all safe. These guidelines are for the fitness classes only. Unfortunately, we have still not been given the go ahead to resume any Aikido classes. Fingers crossed it will be soon. Fitness classes to start back on Monday August 17th.

• Please observe social distancing at all times in all areas of the building. On entrance, wait outside until Barbara calls you in. Your name and contact number will be taken and kept for 21 days for NHS test and trace.

• In order to minimise the need for change to be given, all classes will be £5 which should make things easier to manage.

• Enter via our normal reception door. Please arrive already changed for class as changing rooms will be locked. Regrettably, we cannot allow anyone to wait in the reception area.

• Bring your own drink and sanitizer please, although sanitizer will be provided and masks if required. No towels allowed on training area but you can bring your own paper towels (some will be available if you forget) and dispose of them in the bin on the way out.

• If the bathroom is needed please disinfect surfaces after use with the wipes provided. Please note… NO paper towels and/or wipes to be placed in the toilet. Use bin provided.

• You will notice a 3 metre square outlined on the mat, please stay in your square. Adequate space for movement is allowed for. The maximum number on classes is 9 to ensure social distancing, allowing us all to stay safe.

• It will be a one-way system, so if you need the bathroom during the class, please use the exit door at the bottom of the building and walk around the outside.

• All doors and windows will be open to ensure sufficient ventilation and fans will be operational.

• Please check your own health prior to attending classes. Do not attend if you have a cough or cold or any other Covid19 symptoms. Also, maintain strict personal hygiene measures at all times.

• Obviously, no physical contact, handshaking, hugging etc.

• We are not allowed to play music at a high volume, which encourages shouting and we must discourage anyone from singing and whooping!

• If you require hand weights please bring your own.

• The timetable is very limited to start with, to give us all chance to establish this new normal routine. We will advise you of it a bit later, together with details of the required booking system.

• After the class exit the building via the side door at the bottom to take you to the car park.

Many thanks to all those of you who have supported the online sessions. They have kept everyone motivated hopefully. We look forward to seeing you all in person very soon!

Barbara

I am sure we have all welcomed the government announcement of the re-opening of sports centres etc and the suggestion that contact sports might resume.

However, following Sport England clarification, I have regrettably to confirm that the only contact sports being considered at this time are team sports, not general training and this is subject to their making a detailed plan for approval by Government.

For the rest of us Sport England refer to consultations that are to take place with contact sports to identify a way forward and I have expressed a wish to be included in these consultations. I have also identified a range of activities that Aikidoka might practice whilst still maintaining social distancing, and hope this will provide a way back to training.

We will keep you informed of any developments.

Keith Holland Chairman 16th July 2020 Copyright © 2020 British Aikido Board, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: British Aikido Board The Budo Centre, Mill Lane Studio Mill Lane, Mill Road Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1JQ United Kingdom

Hi everyone! In view of today’s announcement from the sports minister, the government have now given the go ahead for gyms etc to open from 25th July.

Obviously, we need time to think about how to do it safely for all our members and instructors.

Please bear with us, we will keep you informed with the progress and let you know when we feel we can reopen safely.

Looking forward to seeing you all as soon as we can.

Barbara xx

In view of the latest announcement of schools closing, the club will be closed after this Friday’s classes,(20th March 2020). So sorry it has come to this …please refer to our FB page and website for regular updates. Thank you for your support. Keep safe and healthy and we look forward to seeing you all before too long.

Barbara and all the instructors.

At the moment we are continuing to run most of the classes at the club. We are taking preventative steps with disinfecting equipment and surfaces but would urge you to follow the simple rules of hand washing and sanitizing to minimise any risk to us all.

We will review the situation on a daily basis and keep you updated.

Obviously if you feel that you would prefer to stay away from classes at the moment we quite understand.

Barbara