Haydn Foster, Shihan 7th Dan, passed away suddenly yesterday, Sunday 13th February 2011. His passing is a huge loss to the Aikido world and a great loss to all of us at Yama Arashi UK. Sensei Foster was the last surviving Sensei of the  ”Big 3″ and has been teaching at our dojo for many years. His unique style of teaching, his humour on and off the mat ( and his lovely laugh) will always be remembered by us.  He became a good friend to me, as he was to the late Tom Moss, who I know held him in such high esteem. I so enjoyed the times I sat next to him at social occasions listening to him relate his many Aikido memories and stories and wondering how he managed to remember so much detail from so many years ago. My sincere condolences on behalf of all of us go to Mrs Foster, Paul and all other family members. My sympathy also to the members of the Institute for the loss of their Sensei and their friend.

Hi Everyone. I hope you all had a  lovely Christmas and have now recharged the batteries ready for another year of Aikido/fitness. The calendar for 2011 will be finished very soon so please make a note of grading/course dates for the coming months.   All classes as normal from Wednesday 5th January. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2011.

Yama Arashi Brussels Newsletter – A rough translation of Sensei Thielemans’ report.

SPECIAL COURSE OF AIKIDO OF 14 and October 15 at Budokan and visiting delegations from YAMA-ARASHI COVENTRY, YAMA-ARASHI ANTWERPEN and AKTERNAT THEO WALRAVENS In front of a very large audience it was announced as the final course of Tony Thielemans. No fewer than 16 practitioners of Yama-Arashi Coventry in England had made the trip to participate in these lessons. There was also a delegation of practitioners Yama-Arashi Antwerp and another club Ternat. Also some professors, students and black belts of Yama-Arashi Brussels but also members of other clubs and their friends. Such as Professor Paul Van Lierde, who begun at the Yama-Arashi at the age of 15 years and is now 5th dan. Among the spectators were also many teachers from the provinces such as Mr. Carlo Van Parijs Liege and Mr. Theo Walraven Ternat. We also had the presence of sympathetic Vandermoten Mr Christian’s Sports Service of the City of Brussels. We can’t name all those who were either on the tatami, or in assistance, for example, Professor John Jeurissen, 6th Dan Judo President ABAMJ. Budokan F and representative but we would like to thank all those who have written, phoned or sent an email to ensure their support. During these courses, we had the opportunity to admire the technical excellence of our British friends whose education is under the direction of Ms. Barbara Moss, 5th dan who showed a magnificent aiki-nage. Also Jean Trembloy, which in addition to his 5th dan aikido 5th dan is also iai-do and 4th dan jodo, gave us a beautiful demonstration of kata Jodo (stick) and explained the basics for a few moments this session. At the end of the course of 14 October Grev Cooke, Brian Kennedy and Ric Costigan and to Mr. Gil Graff, who began the study of Aikido in our Club in 1964 were awarded the rank of fifth Dan. The rank of 4th dan was awarded to Messrs Ivan Dhondt and Philippe Leboeuf and we have to honour the memory of Francis Speliers by awarding him posthumously the rank of 6th Dan. A reception hosted by the President, Mrs. Joel Thielemans and Marie-José Servay committee member, and we were pleased to have the presence of Mr. Mayor Freddy Thielemans. This closed this memorable evening. The next day, after class, a banquet was held that brought together 25 guests who celebrated the end of two days together with members of Yama-Arashi Coventry.

I want to thank you again for the wonderful gifts that were offered to me and want to say that if I do no more courses for physical reasons, it do not mean my retirement and I continue my work for the dissemination of martial arts and prosperity of Yama-Arashi Tony Thielemans

Diary of Events (Grev Cooke, 5th Dan)

Thursday 14^th October

Day 1:

We all met at the airport nice and early so it must be a beer or three before we go – good start

Small hiccup with the train into Brussels but much too complicated for me to explain so you will have to ask ‘El Presidente’.

Short walk to the hotel that surprisingly was the old Red Lion, an old haunt of ours.

Then true to tradition a visit for more real beer in the ‘stuffed horse’ real name the King of Spain in the main square.

Later we all went to Thielemans official last session and it was really good after so many years, to see him taking the class. His points were all back to basics and delivered in his usual style. Nice to see some old friends after such a long time.

Then, the bombshell. He awarded me, Bri and Ric our 5^th Dan’s, what a pleasant surprise! Barb then told us all the ins and outs of how she organised it, she must have been bursting holding it in.

After the class, they had laid on a buffet, which allowed some more beer and chatting time. Then off to the other watering hole ‘Le Coq’. There are so many stories that have involved this pub, I wouldn’t know where to start.

We left Le Coq about 2:30am to get some chips at Fritland. Fritland has always been open for virtually 24 hours but now it closes at 1:00am. What a disappointment. We had to make do with a McDonalds!

 Friday 15^th October

Day 2:

Most made breakfast, then a wander around Brussels and looked at the old Dojo in ‘Sablon’. Again, so many happy memories. A bit of shopping, more beer then off to the evening class. A similar class as the Thursday with Ric, Barb and me showing a technique. Loads of faults pointed out by Thielemans except for Barb who did one of the best techniques he had seen, so much micky taking ensued.

After the class, we all went for a meal accompanied by Thielemans and about a dozen of his friends. The meal finished around midnight so off to Le Coq but as its now like a student hangout, it was bursting at the seams, so we just found a quieter bar to finish off the night.

 Saturday 16^th October

Early breakfast so we could catch the train in plenty of time. At the airport we indulged in some more beer and shopping. Due to the long customs check we only just managed to get to get on the plane. Arrived back in Birmingham around midday. Such a lot to do in so short a time but for those that have been before a trip down memory lane and for the first timers they can now understand that some of our stories may be true!

 It brought home to me how things are constantly changing and we have to move on. It was nice to be present at Thielemans last class and receive my 5^th Dan from him but it means more to me to receive it from Barbara. Tom was my mentor and Thielemans was his. Now Barbara is my mentor (whether she likes it or not) as she is for all our other YAUK members.

See gallery Dan Grading section for latest photos

Earlier this year a few of us were talking about how nice it would be to visit Brussels. Many of the past and present Aikido members have happy memories of our annual trips in September, when we went to train and eligible participants took their Dan grade examinations under the direction of Sensei Thielemans 6^th Dan.

 I had been giving the promotion of the senior instructors of Yama Arashi a good deal of thought  and was undecided about the best approach  to keep it as a total surprise. Earlier this year, we had information from Sensei Tony Thielemans, the head of our association, that he was to teach his last class on October 14^th which was obviously going to be a very special occasion. After contacting Sensei he confirmed that he was more than happy to award  these special gradings on that day, so then the difficult part was to make sure that they could all go to Brussels at that time and also their partners!

It all worked out well and was a great weekend,  just like old times, with lots of memories and stories of past years related by those who could still remember them!

The 5^th Dan gradings were awarded after the 2 hour course on Thursday evening and I was so pleased that it came as a total surprise to the three of them, Grev Cooke, Brian Kennedy and Ric Costigan. Sensei Thielemans received many retirement presents after the class and then we celebrated at a reception at the centre where we met up with old friends from Yama Arashi who we had not seen for a number of years. I was so pleased that Ros Jan and Christelle were there to enjoy the presentations but only wished that more could have been there to celebrate the happy event. The members who joined us were so pleased, I know, to be there at such a special occasion.

 The next day we had a relaxing day shopping and walked to the Grand Sablon area to show the newer members where we took our examinations.

The next evening, Friday, we went to the dojo for another two hour session with Sensei Thielemans, who picked one or two of us to demonstrate a technique to the class.

The weekend was finished off with a meal at a restaurant in the centre of Brussels with friends and members of Sensei.

Last Thursday another presentation was made to Grev, Brian and Ric at our dojo, so that the members could witness the occasion and also to Martin whose certificate was signed by Sensei during the weekend as he was awarded his 4^th Dan, last September.

 I was extremely happy to present the 5^th Dan awards.  As well as their Aikido technique and teaching, they all give 100% to the club and to Yama Arashi UK in so many ways. They work together as a team for the good of the club and have coped well with extra responsibility placed upon them after losing their Sensei and also their friend Tom Moss.

 Well Done and Congratulations!

Sensei Foster will be teaching at our dojo, next week, October 9th/10th. See calendar for training times. Anyone wishing to attend please contact the dojo.

The Dan Grading course was held during the weekend of September 17th -19th. The practice sessions were well attended by members from Coventry, Milton Keynes and Stratford, not forgetting Dean from Scotland!

There were three candidates for 1st Dan and two for Second Dan who all passed happily, with a couple of surprise gradings too.

The social side of the weekend was very enjoyable with old friends and past members popping in to watch the proceedings.

Photos to follow shortly.

The following classes will be cancelled during half term week.

Wednesday October 27th Juniors 5.30-6.30

 Friday        October 29th Juniors 5.15-6.15

All other Junior classes are as normal.

There will be no Aikido Rangers and Juniors on October 16th. Other classes on this day are as normal.